By Leslie Albrecht
DNAinfo Reporter/Producer
UPPER WEST SIDE — Preservationists cheered a city ruling this week that could save a historic Upper West Side row house from the wrecking ball, the Westside Independent reported.
A developer had wanted to tear down 330 W. 86th St., a five-story residential building that city records show was built around 1900, and replace it with a 17-story high-rise.
But neighborhood residents belonging to preservationist groups like Coalition for a Livable West Side and Landmark West! said replacing the row house with a glass and steel "sliver" building would be out of character with the neighborhood.
This week the Board of Standards and Appeals gave jurisdiction on the matter to the Department of Housing Preservation and Development, which meant it would be more difficult for a developer to demolish and replace the building, according to the Westside Independent.
Preservationists applauded the ruling, but said there would be more work to do to save the neighborhood's pre-war charm. They're collecting signatures to urge the city's Landmarks Preservation Commission to establish a West End Avenue historic district.