The New York City Council says the building could be razed by the end of the year. Andrew Burton/Getty Images

5Pointz has attracted tourists from all over the world. Andrew Burton/Getty Images

Members of the 5Pointz graffiti community have battled to keep the space; they have petitioned the city to protect it as a cultural landmark. Andrew Burton/Getty Images

Jerry Wolkoff, an owner of the property, announced he is planning to demolish the building to build high-rise apartment buildings. Theo Zierock/AFP/Getty Images

5Pointz was established in 1993 to discourage graffiti vandalism by giving artists a showcase for their work. Theo Zierock/AFP/Getty Images

5Pointz is widely considered the world's premier graffiti haven, where aerosol artists from around the globe paint on the walls of the 200,000-square-foot former factory building. Don Emmert/AFP/Getty Images

An artist who goes by the name "Kidlew" paints a new piece on a wall of the 5Pointz building. Andrew Burton/Getty Images

The 5Pointz building seen from a passing subway car in the Long Island City neighborhood in Queens. Andrew Burton/Getty Images

The New York City Council has unanimously approved a plan to demolish a graffiti-art haven in the borough of Queens to make room for two apartment towers.

The decision was a blow to graffiti artists who have used the exterior of the former factory as an exhibition space, known as 5Pointz, for years.

The council on Wednesday said 5Pointz in Long Island City could be razed by the end of the year. It said it could not save the site because it is privately owned.

The Wolkoff family, which owns the building, last week put aside additional space for affordable housing and artists' studios in an effort to win approval for the $400 million project.

It says artists will be allowed to paint several walls.

The Associated Press