Renderings Unveiled for 27 East 4th Street in NoHo Manhattan

New renderings for 27 East 4th Street reveal a nine-story mixed-use project proposed for Manhattan’s NoHo Historic District Extension. Designed by DXA Studio, the building rises to 105 feet and would host retail on the street level with a community facility above.

The exterior combines earth-toned glass fiber reinforced concrete (GFRC) and brick. These materials are organized around a grid of large arched windows.

The scheme features cornice lines and brick bond patterns around openings. A distinctive eastern wall is filled with smaller arched windows, all set within the historic context of NoHo.

Project Context and Site

Positioned between Lafayette Street and Bowery, the site sits adjacent to the Merchant’s House Museum. This location is in the heart of a dense urban fabric that blends preservation with contemporary design.

The property lies three blocks north of the Broadway–Lafayette/Bleecker Street transit hub, serving the B, D, F, M, and other lines. It is also close to the R and W lines at 8th Street–NYU, offering access to multiple forms of public transit.

A September 2024 Google Street View image shows the current site occupied by a one-story commercial building. This highlights the potential for urban infill represented by the proposal.

As with many NoHo projects, the plan balances preserving historic streetscape cues with introducing modern materials and flexible uses. The project’s location within the NoHo Historic District Extension invites careful integration with the surrounding rowhouses, museums, and early 20th-century buildings.

The Landmarks Preservation Commission has not yet scheduled a formal review of the proposal. This leaves time for design refinement in dialogue with preservation guidelines and the community.

Architectural Design and Materials

The design uses materials that contrast warmth and modernity. The primary frontage features earth-toned GFRC panels paired with brickwork, framed around a grid of large arched openings.

• GFRC cladding in earthy tones to articulate mass and surface depth.
• Brick patterns with intricate bond work surrounding arches and cornices, enhancing the building’s texture and legibility.
• Grid of large arched windows across the southern elevation to emphasize vertical rhythm and daylighting.
• Four cornice lines at varying intervals along the façade, contributing to a refined silhouette and breaks in the elevation.
• Eastern lot-line wall featuring a grid of smaller arched windows for additional interior light and activity at the periphery.
• Roofline capped by a corrugated aluminum bulkhead giving a contemporary finish to the upper edge.
• Rear courtyard with picnic tables to provide a semi-public amenity linked to the northern elevation.

Massing, Elevation Rhythm, and Urban Context

The project responds to its NoHo surroundings with a nine-story mass, creating a 105-foot-tall silhouette. The large arched windows on the primary south elevation establish a bold urban presence.

Brick articulation and cornice lines frame the building in a traditional style that connects with nearby historic structures. The eastern wall’s smaller arched openings introduce a contrasting scale that reduces the building’s bulk and brings more daylight to interior spaces.

A compact rear courtyard is designed to foster informal social interaction. It also signals permeability between the street and private areas behind the northern elevation.

The proposal aims to offer a retail base that activates East 4th Street and a community facility for residents and neighborhood organizations. The mixed-use program fits NoHo’s walkable, transit-rich context while respecting the historic district extension.

Regulatory Status and Next Steps

The Landmarks Preservation Commission has not yet scheduled a review. The project remains in a design and outreach phase.

Stakeholders will evaluate how the brick bond patterns, arched window grids, and GFRC composition fit within the NoHo Historic District Extension’s guidelines. Public input, contextual analysis, and preservation standards will shape future designs as the applicant moves toward formal approvals and construction.

Implications for NoHo and New York City Architecture

27 East 4th Street illustrates a modern, high-performance approach to infill in a tightly constrained historic district.

The project combines durable GFRC with traditional brick articulation and a measured cornice rhythm.

This approach aims to deliver a contemporary program while respecting the cultural and architectural narrative of NoHo.

 
Here is the source article for this story: Renderings Revealed for 27 East 4th Street in Noho, Manhattan