Planning Commission Gives Lenox Hill Hospital Thumbs-Up on Contentious Expansion Plan

Northwell Health’s $2-billion plan to significantly overhaul Lenox Hill Hospital inched closer to the finish line on July 2, after the City Planning Commission unanimously gave its approval.

Northwell wants to consolidate the hospital’s 10-building campus into one tall tower on Lexington Avenue, which could be as tall as 436 feet. Northwell has argued that it is absolutely essential for modernization purposes. The proposal will now go before the New York City Council for a final sign-off.

It’s a win for the hospital organization after what has been an occasionally tumultuous approval process, as grassroots concerns partially led Community Board 8 toward issuing an advisory vote of “disapproval” over the proposal. Manhattan Borough President Mark Levine, meanwhile, signed off on it conditionally.

At the July 2 meeting, Planning Commission Chair Dan Garodnick gave extended remarks explaining his rationale for voting “yes.”

“For 160 years and more, Lenox Hill Hospital has been a cornerstone of the Upper East Side, growing alongside the neighborhood and advancing with the latest in medical care. It is not only an anchor of the community, but one that serves patients across the entire city and Tri-State area,” he began.

“To continue fulfilling this critical role, the hospital needs to evolve with the times. . . . We have a collective responsibility to ensure the city’s healthcare infrastructure is able to meet evolving needs,” he added.

However, he then acknowledged the fair bit of local criticism over the proposal that has stemmed from grassroots organizers, such as the “Save Lenox Hill” group. In an extensive interview with Our Town back in April, Save Lenox Hill leads Stephanie Reckler and Stacy Krusch argued that the overhaul’s estimated decade of construction would be disruptive, and that the height of the building did not match the Upper East Side’s character. An original proposal stood at 516 feet, but Northwell subsequently lowered the height and dropped plans for an additional residential tower.

“We’re all for renovating the hospital, we know we need to renovate, but the zoning variances they’re asking for are astronomical for a residential neighborhood,” Krusch said at the time.

During his July 2 preamble, Garodnick appeared to give a tip of the hat to such concerns. “I also recognize the testimony of many neighbors who express deep concerns and fear about the construction that will take place during the hospital’s renovation,” he said. “I think it’s important for everyone to recognize that years of construction, if not done in a sensitive way, would have impacts on the surrounding neighborhood.”

He then cited some sweeteners that Lenox Hill had offered since announcing the overhaul, indicating that he found them convincing. These included offers to “shorten” construction if possible, as well as consider lowering the proposed tower’s height to just under 400 feet. Garodnick also hailed Northwell’s recent promise to convene a “construction task force” that would include both elected officials and community representatives.

“We are grateful to the City Planning Commission for recognizing the critical importance of revitalizing Lenox Hill Hospital. This vote brings us one step closer to delivering a modern, world-class hospital that meets the urgent and growing needs of everyday New Yorkers,” a spokesperson for Northwell told Our Town. “At a time when too many hospitals across the city are at risk of closure, this project represents a vital commitment to long-term health care access and equity.”