Downtown’s imperiled Elizabeth Street Garden has its share of A-list supporters, ranging from Robert DeNiro to Martin Scorsese and Patti Smith — all who’ve raised their voices in support of the bucolic Nolita green space.
But the most fashionable protest yet took place last night, as the sculpture-dotted oasis was roped into New York Fashion Week festivities as the site of the Libertine show, which made its feelings about the future of the local treasure clear.
Models strolled the makeshift runway to the tune of Joni Mitchell’s anti-development “Big Yellow Taxi,” some pushed wheelbarrows of dirt while others carried garden implements. Seed packets were left for guests, including Martha Stewart and designer Thom Browne.
And in case the message didn’t get through, designer Johnson Hartig appeared at the end of the show holding up a sign reading “Save the Garden,” Vogue reported.
“We’re thrilled to be here in the gardens today doing our part to bring awareness; we’re just hoping it’s not too late,” the outlet reported him saying.
The space has long been a fashion designer fave, used in other years for shows by the likes of Kate Spade, Stella McCartney and Cynthia Rowley.
The stylish social action comes as the garden is due to face the wrecking ball on Sept. 10 — the first step towards redevelopment of the site into affordable housing and office space.
“The Garden is not only an oasis of greenspace within our city, but truly stands as a work of art,” singer Smith, 77, wrote in a letter to Mayor Eric Adams on Aug. 14. Smith hosted a protest concert in the garden.
“Our great city is in danger of becoming a developer’s unchecked haven, and we look to you to help us set a lasting precedent for how New York City will protect public art and green spaces for the future,” the “Gloria” singer pleaded.
A spokesperson for the Department of Housing Preservation and Development told The Post earlier that demolition was to take place as scheduled, despite the outcry.
The planned project would replace the 20,000-square-foot space with 123 units of affordable housing for the elderly. The mayor has veto power and is able to shut down construction before groundbreaking begins.
