Prolific architect Karl Fischer discovered a good way to win praise for a new design — make it good-looking and put it on an avenue lined by less-attractive buildings.
Renderings for the Fischer-designed, 12-story development on Fourth Avenue — on the opposite side of Fifth Street from Shaya Boymelgreen’s Novo condos — won over many local critics who say that the planned 107-unit apartment building might be the first development on the booming avenue that isn’t an eyesore.
“Sure, it is not perfect, but compared to some of the other junk being built close by, Fischer’s design is clean, with more glass and less boring brick,” said Ben Baccash, owner of a building on Sixth Street between Fourth and Fifth avenues.
Fischer’s building, which will replace a long-closed gas station, includes a garage, and space for ground-floor retail and a community facility like a doctor’s office, said Project Manager Tetyana Lidakis.
