New York, NY —

Spontaneous applause greeted the unanimous vote by the city's Landmarks Preservation Commission to grant historic landmark status to the former Domino Sugar refinery in Williamsburg, Brooklyn.

REPORTER: Chairman Bob Tierney says landmarking the 123-year old brick buildings will make sure the city's industrial past is remembered as they get converted into apartments.

TIERNEY: Its got to be preserved -- kept intact as a tangible reminder for future generations about what happened here.

REPORTER: Today's ruling does not preserve the iconic Domino Sugar sign, which was added later. Developers say they'll try to save it.