Cobble Hill Blog

Norah Jones obtained approval from the Landmarks Preservation Commission to install ten windows to a windowless brick wall of her brownstone on Amity Street, which has the Cobble Hill Association furious, as they claim that the windows are inconsistent with the building’s 19th-century, Greek revival architecture. The CHA insists that a decision of this caliber should have required a public hearing with the LPC, not the quite approval that Jones seemingly achieved.

NY Post: The group has asked Jones to delay construction and meet with them to try reaching a resolution. It also wants the commission to reopen the case with a public review.

The commission declined comment, but Jones isn’t backing down.

The 30-year-old, Brooklyn-born beauty fired an e-mail back to Sloane, saying, “With respect to the Cobble Hill Association, my windows went through the approvals process with Landmarks” and are not “out of character” with the neighborhood.

Jones’ contractors did go before Landmarks commissioners in June - but over less controversial renovations to the home’s interior that were swiftly approved without objections from neighbors.
But months later, her contractors submitted an amended plan to construct the 10 windows. Landmarks staff approved it Oct. 22 without a public hearing before commissioners.