Certain appellants herein have withdrawn their appeals. The sole remaining appeal in this condemnation proceeding is by the owner of three contiguous parcels at the corner of Chrystie and Stanton Streets, Manhattan. The property is improved by a two-story factory building. The court found the value of the land to be $67,650. On this appeal, appellant is not contesting that finding. The court found the value of the building to be $140,000, and this finding is the subject of the appeal.
Appellant is in the business of fabricating, warehousing and selling formica panels. The building was erected by the appellant for this purpose. To this end its construction, while not unique in the sense that it is the sole building designed for this or an allied purpose, is at least distinctive and unusual. It is a two-story building with the second story hung from the roof. The purpose of this construction is to provide a clear working space on the main floor without the interference of columns or interior wall supports. This is necessary so that the large panels can be handled without interference and to allow access to the interior by trucks large enough to haul the unwieldy slabs and the finished product.
No such proof was offered. It being appellant’s contention that none exists, it cannot be charged with the burden of going forward to introduce it. The failure of the city to offer any such proof leaves the record with the uncontested testimony of replacement cost as the only tenable method of fixing value.
The decree should be modified, on the law and on the facts, to increase the building value to $193,000 and the total value to $260,650, and, as so modified, should be affirmed, with costs to the appellant.
Valent®, J. P., McNally, Stevens, Steueb and Bastow, JJ., concur.
Decree unanimously modified, on the law and on the facts, to increase the building value to $193,000 and the total value to $260,650, and, as so modified, affirmed, with costs to the appellant. Settle order on notice.
