New York City fast losing heritage buildings to developers

[NEW YORK] Pieces of a ceiling known for its carved neoclassical images of floating angels and windswept women is all that is slated to remain of one of the oldest independent bookstores in New York City, officials said.

The rest of the century-old Rizzoli Bookstore's interior in midtown Manhattan will likely soon be reduced to rubble, said Manhattan Borough president Gale Brewer.

After a long and unsuccessful battle by community members and politicians to save the space, Rizzoli recently joined a growing number of iconic New York businesses displaced or permanently shuttered by soaring property values and a rising demand for luxury housing.