Sad news for muralists and fans of legal graffiti. Five Pointz, a sprawling spray paint covered building in Long Island City, may be buffed, permanently. Owner Jerry Wolkoff is looking to redevelop the storied spot into a massive residential complex consisting of high rises, a supermarket, retail spaces, artist studios, and in an effort to throw the street art community a bone, a dedicated wall for the aerosol-inclined to practice on.
Not surprisingly, some people are up in arms over the inevitable razing of the iconic location formerly referred to as the “Phun Factory,” but no one makes a more ridiculous argument for its preservation than Steve Harrington, author of a really crappy book on New York street art:
This is a cultural landmark, not only for New York, but for hip-hop culture worldwide,” says Steve Harrington, the author of the book “Street Art New York.”
Ha! If that’s the case, knock it down this weekend! (Photo: mogaphoto/flickr)
RIP Mount Crushmore
im no fan of new condos or any form of gentrification making nyc even that much more void of flavor, BUT that place is nothing iconic or important to graffiti in nyc.at all. Level it
You should have said "to me" after the "BUT." That spot is exactly what you say it isn't to A LOT of people from all over the world.
Over the past decade, famous street artists, celebrities and average local artists have flocked to this site to contribute and view it in all of its glory. To say that it lacks historical significance is kind of ignorant. It's not the Taj Mahal, but in a city that is turning into nothing but ugly condos and big box chain stores, do we really need to level this thing to realize its contribution to NYC culture? Oh, and never trust a shirtless douche bag that goes by the name "Boomer", he got his personality at Walmart.
And yo..they can't even rent/sell all the fancy high-rise units they already got in that hood. Why the fuck would anyone want to build more? If ALL the proposed units were to be designated affordable housing units I would be behind it.
We don’t need any more housing in LIC. It’s getting WAY too crowded as is. We don’t need to turn LIC into Manhattan. Forget the affordable housing, they’re already building that next to the million dollar high rises on Hunter’s Point. STOP RUINING LIC.
The affordable housing units going up in Hunters Point aren't enough. This city needs way more of that.
what did you exspect
r.i.p newyork
Tear that legal shit down! Real graff is illegal.
See ya———>