The Wolkoff family, who own the building in Queens nicknamed "5Pointz" covered more than a decade's worth of spray-paint art in the middle of the night. Artists likened it to an act of vandalism, as they had fought to have the building designated a landmark.
The area is scheduled to be developed into luxury condominiums. More than 1,500 artists reportedly used the 5Pointz warehouse as a canvas, turning the formerly derelict brick building into a tourist attraction.