Actor David Schwimmer made a lot of friends on the television series “Friends,” but his new, real-life neighbors may not be so friendly now that he has destroyed a
historic home in Greenwich Village in New York City. Schwimmer bought a
townhouse in the East Village section of Manhattan two years ago, a home that had been standing since 1852, then tore it down to build a modern structure. The townhouse at 331 E. 6th Street had been destined to be listed as a historic landmark as it was one of the oldest on the block. Schwimmer, 45, purchased the property in 2010 for $4.1 million.
Last year, the city’s Landmarks Preservation Commission notified Schwimmer that it was possible the home would be designated as a historic landmark by the end of this year. But that didn’t prevent the Friends star from having the home demolished last fall to make way for a home that he wanted.
The five-story, 25-foot wide building is being replaced by a six-story mansion complete with a rooftop terrace and elevator. The new home is expected to have somewhere between 7,750 and 9,000 square feet. Reports indicate that some long-time residents are not happy with the demolitions and new homes that “yuppies” such as Schwimmer are bringing to the area.