No Exceptions to Jewelers Row District

A favorable recommendation Tuesday from the committee on historical landmark preservation now heads to the city council, where final approval is expected.

Rosenwasser and attorney Rick Wendy say the landmark designation may create a hardship for the owner, a jeweler who also runs his business in the 30,900-sf building he acquired in 1994 for $657,000. "He's the only jeweler who has invested his own money to buy a building in this area," Wendy says. Before he bought it, a Burger King restaurant had operated on the first floor, Rosenwasser says.

"We didn't know what growth we'd have in 10 years," Rosenwasser says. "We don't know what'll happen in the next 10 years."

One possibility may be an operation similar to the Fortunoff store at 681 5th Ave. in New York City, Wendy suggested. That store includes three levels of retail space with three stories of offices above, Rosenwasser says, though he does plan on changing the façade of the current three-story structure.

Landmark designation is intended to preserve facades of buildings deemed historically significant, adding another layer of approvals before a building permit is obtained.

Brian Goeken, deputy commissioner for the department of planning and development's landmark division, says the city already has provided financial assistance for façade work, and would be willing to listen to Rosenwasser's detailed plans. Making a special exception for 11-15 N. Wabash Ave. would be unfair to other building owners, adds 42nd Ward Ald. Burton Natarus, adding Rosenwasser could still proceed with an expansion if he received permission from the landmarks division.

However, Rosenwasser would like greater assurance an expansion would be allowed.

"If he can't expand his business, he may have to go elsewhere," Wendy says. "It's only a gamble whether an expansion could occur here…It's based on subjective issues."