In the window of 18 West 11th street, less than a block from The New School’s 11th street building, is the facade of a townhouse. The modern-style home, with its angled exterior and large picture window, projecting itself over the sidewalk like the bow of a ship, is the most current incarnation of the infamous Weather Underground House, where Bill Ayers and his crew met and planned one of the most radical movements of their generation. Their stance on politics was simple: to create a new revolutionary party and overthrow the US government.

In 1970, six members of the movement were constructing a bomb in the basement of 18 West 11th street when it detonated prematurely, reducing the four story townhouse to a pile of rubble. Shortly thereafter the lot was sold to architect Hugh Hardy for $80,000, who subsequently sold the lot to Norma and David Langworthy for the same price with the condition that the house be rebuilt using Hardy’s architectural designs. Because the house is deemed a historic landmark, the plans underwent much debate before the contemporary building design was approved.

Following the death of the Langworthy, the house was sold by their son in December of last year to Justin Korsant, although the house is listed publicly as being sold to 18W11 LLC. The home was sold for $9.25 million.

In recent days there has been an e-mail circulating around residents of the West Village. According to the website “Vanishing NY”, the email reads, “The new owner of 18 West 11th Street has filed with the Department of Buildings to demolish the existing building and build anew. The plans were rejected by DOB as incomplete but it is safe to assume that the application will be corrected and re-filed.” The email also states that Hardy, who had sold the building to the Langworthy’s, will be drawing up plans for the new building. The public process will begin once an application is filed to the Landmarks Preservation Commission.

These uncertain plans are the source of much of the debate among Village residents. How will the Landmarks Preservation Commission justify tearing down a perfectly sound townhouse which has been rebuilt not once but twice? The LPC, which was formed shortly after the destruction of the old Pennsylvania Station in 1965, was created to preserve the history and status of landmarks and buildings in the city’s historic districts. Unlike the landmark associations of many other cities, however, once landmark status is claimed, these buildings still have potential to be approved for remodeling and demolition, even if it alters the facade.

Some Village residents are concerned not only in the hassle of what is bound to be a lengthy period of construction on the block, but that the once famed political riot house will be blown up and made into just another high-priced contemporary building. Despite being out of place among the more traditional homes along the block, the building has been woven into the fabric of the neighborhood over the last four decades.

Historical Studies advisor Joseph Lombardo believes the overall state of the Village is changing changing. “Today, as with the rest of New York City, the culture is becoming appropriated by a younger, more affluent middle class, he said.  “Landmark sites are abandoned and destroyed or recreated according to the tastes of this class. Politically I do not agree with the Weather Underground, but it is indeed a loss for the generation of ’68 [the protest generation] and those who were inspired by it.”

Reporting by Casey Stanton