The Wall

In 1997, the owners of 599 Broadway claimed that a mounted artwork was causing leaks and structural damage. The Landmarks Preservation Commission (LPC) allowed its removal in 2002, requiring it be reinstalled after repairs. When the owners failed to do so, the City sued in 2004. Though a judge dismissed their First Amendment defense, she later ruled in 2005 that forcing them to maintain the wall violated their Fifth Amendment rights unless they were compensated.

 In 2007, a compromise was reached: the building’s exterior would be extended to reinstall the artwork higher up, freeing space below for ads—potentially worth $600,000 annually.