☞ PROTECT: The Sheffield Dairy Stables

Scaffolding has been up on the Sheffield Dairy Stables for the past six months, and the facade transfer of the century old building to a new location in Washington Heights seemed to be in order until late last week. The ornamental pediment, parapets and cornice (top photo) have been removed for some time now, but it looks like all the detail at the shaft and base of the classical structure is being thrown out the window. The building has now been totally gutted and the demolition crew is currently deconstructing each level. Under all the netting and scaffolding, one can see that the original brick facade, quoin stones and window ornamentations have not been removed and are all still intact.

Based on the New York Times article in 2008, the owner sealed a deal with Columbia to preserve the facade and move it to a new building further uptown. Preservationist rejoiced at this solution to saving one of the taller buildings that was set to be razed on Columbia's new Manhattanville campus but somthing doesn't seem right at this point. Does anyone have any news on this recent development? Read the details in the Times article: LINK. There was more recent news in DNAinfo: LINK. Photos by Ulysses