Architecture And Design

In debate over $119B sea wall to protect NYC from superstorms, Trump says ‘get your mops’

Flooded Battery Park Tunnel after Hurricane Sandy. Image: Timothy Krause via Flickr.

January 21, 2020

In debate over $119B sea wall to protect NYC from superstorms, Trump says ‘get your mops’

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A barrier wall proposed by the Army Corps of Engineers as one of several options being evaluated to shield the New York area from rare storms–which may well become less rare and more destructive with global warming–is the subject of a heated debate among planners and environmental experts. Supporters suggest that a barrier be constructed in the outer New York Harbor where it's mostly hidden from view, saying it would go the farthest in protecting people, land and valuable landmarks along the waterfront from a storm surge. Others fear the idea is a short-sighted measure that doesn't address major climate threats–and could even worsen matters by trapping sewage and toxins during flooding from high tides and storm runoff. President Donald Trump, however, remains the sole proponent of the mop-and-bucket approach, as the New York Daily News reports.
What will save us from a tweetstorm?
New looks revealed for 3 Hudson Boulevard, the next office tower to rise at Hudson Yards

Image courtesy of Gammahaus

January 17, 2020

New looks revealed for 3 Hudson Boulevard, the next office tower to rise at Hudson Yards

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A new design–the third so far–has been revealed for 3 Hudson Boulevard, the next office tower to rise at Hudson Yards. Located at the northwest corner of West 34th Street and Hudson Boulevard, the tower, which has long been in planning stages, will have 1.85 million square feet of office space. The latest designs reveal a height of just under 1,000 feet with 56 stories, the New York Post reports. Some floors will have ceilings of almost 30 feet with terraces at the end.
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Developer scraps Bjarke Ingels-designed 2 WTC for revamped Norman Foster tower

Previous rendering of 2 World Center via DBOX, courtesy of Bjarke Ingels Group

January 16, 2020

Developer scraps Bjarke Ingels-designed 2 WTC for revamped Norman Foster tower

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It looks like Norman Foster's design for 2 World Trade Center might rise after all. First unveiled in 2006, the original Foster + Partners proposal was scrapped in 2015 for Bjarke Ingels' stacked tower, which was deemed more suitable to prospective media tenants. After leases with Fox and News Corp. fell through in 2016, the future of the tenant-less tower has remained uncertain. Absent any takers, developer Larry Silverstein is now pivoting back to the Foster vision, the New York Post reports. The old design is being "significantly modified to be more reflective of contemporary needs and taste," Silverstein said.
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Hudson Yards shares rendering of public open space to dispel reports of 700-foot wall

Rendering courtesy of Related Companies

January 15, 2020

Hudson Yards shares rendering of public open space to dispel reports of 700-foot wall

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"There has never been a wall along the High Line and there will never be a wall," Hudson Yards emphasized on Twitter today in response to reports that a 700-foot wall will turn the next phase of development into a veritable gated community. Plans for the Western Yard always included paving over the remaining tracks with a deck that would slope down toward the High Line, but last week, it was reported that developer Related Companies was floating around an idea that would have the deck slope up instead to accommodate a parking garage underneath. It would also essentially wall off the new development's green space and overshadow the High Line. However, Hudson Yards continued in its series of Tweets, "We have always shared the vision that the Western Yard should include a great public open space."
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See the proposed revamp for Rockefeller Center

Renderings by Gabellini Sheppard Associates courtesy Tishman Speyer; via NYC Landmarks Preservation Commission

January 15, 2020

See the proposed revamp for Rockefeller Center

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Tishman Speyer proposed a plan to revamp certain aspects of Rockefeller Center during a hearing at the Landmark Preservation Commission on Tuesday, as CityRealty reported. With Gabellini Sheppard Associates at the helm, the design proposal makes tweaks to the gardens and outdoor plaza spaces at the 22-acre site. The upgrades—which mostly seek to improve circulation—come as city officials have been discussing the permanent restriction of traffic around Rockefeller Center following the successful pedestrianization of the area during the recent holiday season.
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See inside the amenity spaces at Philip Johnson’s 550 Madison Avenue

Rendering courtesy of Rockwell Group

January 14, 2020

See inside the amenity spaces at Philip Johnson’s 550 Madison Avenue

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The Olayan Group released a new batch of renderings giving us a sneak peek inside the amenity floor at 550 Madison Avenue. Designed by Rockwell Group, the seventh floor offers a mix of “hospitality-driven” spaces for tenants, including food and beverage options, lounges, shared workspaces, and fitness and wellness areas. The center of it all will be the iconic Philip Johnson-designed oculus—which greets visitors as soon as they step off the elevator on the club floor—framed by two floor-to-ceiling artworks by Dorothea Rockburne, which were commissioned in 1993 specifically for the building.
Have a look around
This $3.5M wood-frame house in Fort Greene has high-end finishes and a delicious mint kitchen

Photo credit: DDreps for The Hudson Advisory Team courtesy of Compass

January 14, 2020

This $3.5M wood-frame house in Fort Greene has high-end finishes and a delicious mint kitchen

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Built in 1870, this historic wood-frame home on a block of gorgeous landmarked townhouses a few blocks from Fort Greene Park is asking $3,495,000. It's had a recent renovation that bestowed updates like well-concealed central air and an intercom system and high-end finishes like herringbone wood flooring, arriving at that magic mix of contemporary comfort and historic charm. Within the single-family home are four bedrooms, each with its own bath, plus grand entertaining rooms and plenty of family space. A large landscaped rear yard joins a patio and wood deck for indoor-outdoor living in season.
Take the townhouse tour
Will Hudson Yards developer swap promised public green space for walled off private park?

Image by Timothy Schenck; courtesy of Related-Oxford

January 10, 2020

Will Hudson Yards developer swap promised public green space for walled off private park?

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Related Companies is gearing up for the second phase of Hudson Yards—the Western Yard—but there's uncertainty about what exactly the developer has planned. To balance the addition of another batch of towering skyscrapers, the Western Yard promised to open itself up to the public with a new school and accessible, High Line-adjacent green space. Now Related appears to be considering walling that part of the development off with a 700-foot-long structure "that would overshadow the High Line, accommodate a parking garage and help make the site more like a quasi-gated community," as the New York Times reports.
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$1.3M upstate house is a Modernist vision by Frank Lloyd Wright’s colleagues

All images by Ren Nickson, courtesy of Sothebys International Realty.

January 10, 2020

$1.3M upstate house is a Modernist vision by Frank Lloyd Wright’s colleagues

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According to the listing, this unique home in the remote upstate town of Canaan, NY was built by "two prominent colleagues of Frank Lloyd Wright," who employed stonework techniques used at Taliesin West, Usonian design, and a high peaked roof to make this stunning modern house "a paean to nature." Situated on 17 acres at 121 Top of Dean Hill Road, the property, asking $1.3 million, includes an equally fabulous guest house with a 3.5-car garage, woodland paths, and perennial gardens.
Tour this unusual Upstate home
Lantern House, Thomas Heatherwick’s quirky High Line condo, rises and reveals residences

Photo of Lantern House on 1/3/20 by CityRealty

January 10, 2020

Lantern House, Thomas Heatherwick’s quirky High Line condo, rises and reveals residences

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Related Companies has released new renderings of the residential interiors in Thomas Heatherwick’s Lantern House condo development on the High Line. The quirky towers—one is ten stories tall and the other rises to 22 stories—flank the High Line at 18th Street and stand out with their billowing glass walls that reinterpret “the modern bay window.”
Check out the renderings
Community board committee rejects design for proposed Harry Potter store in Flatiron

Rendering of Wizarding World by Studio Superette, courtesy of Manhattan Community Board 5

January 9, 2020

Community board committee rejects design for proposed Harry Potter store in Flatiron

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The landmarks committee of a Manhattan community board this week dismissed the design for a proposed Harry Potter-themed store and exhibit in the Flatiron District. Warner Brothers Entertainment announced plans last September to open Wizarding World at 935 Broadway, a landmarked building constructed in 1861. But the company's proposal to alter the historic structure by adding wand-style flagpoles and a fiberglass dragon was rejected as "inappropriate" by Manhattan Community Board 5's landmarks committee on Tuesday, as the Wall Street Journal first reported.
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In Hudson Yards, Bjarke Ingels’ The Spiral is more than 50% leased as construction progresses

All renderings courtesy of Tishman Speyer

January 7, 2020

In Hudson Yards, Bjarke Ingels’ The Spiral is more than 50% leased as construction progresses

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As The Spiral continues to rise in Hudson Yards—it’s currently the eighth-tallest skyscraper under construction in NYC—its future offices are getting scooped up at a fast pace. Despite being two-and-a-half years away from completion, the Bjarke Ingels Group-designed tower at 66 Hudson Boulevard is now 54 percent pre-leased after adding law firm Debevoise & Plimpton to its roster of tenants. That list also includes pharmaceutical giant Pfizer, who will relocate its global headquarters to the building, and investment management firm AllianceBernstein. Once complete, the 66-story tower will reach 1,032 feet and feature signature cascading terraces and hanging gardens wrapped around the facade in a spiral-like arrangement.
Here's the latest update
Snøhetta’s transformed public garden at 550 Madison Avenue receives final city approvals

Renderings courtesy of Snøhetta and MOARE

January 7, 2020

Snøhetta’s transformed public garden at 550 Madison Avenue receives final city approvals

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The privately-owned public space (POPS) on the ground floor of Philip Johnson and John Burgee’s Postmodern skyscraper at 550 Madison Avenue declined over time due to multiple alterations and was often described as being “tall, skinny, and dark.” As part of Snøhetta’s transformation of the landmark, the garden is receiving a lot of attention. In December, developer Olayan Group revealed plans to increase the public space by 50 percent while creating “a welcoming sensory retreat in the heart of East Midtown.” After being approved by the Landmarks Preservation Commission last year, the open space has now received its final approval from the Department of City Planning.
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With a $300M proposal, the Erie Canal could become a reinvented upstate attraction

Renderings courtesy of Governor Andrew Cuomo’s office

January 6, 2020

With a $300M proposal, the Erie Canal could become a reinvented upstate attraction

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This is what a renewed Erie Canal could look like in the years to come. Gov. Andrew Cuomo revealed a $300 million proposal on Monday to revamp the 19th-century waterway that was started by Gov. DeWitt Clinton in 1817. The multi-phase plan originates in research conducted by the "Reimagine the Canals" task force assembled by Cuomo last May. The first phase will begin later this year and comprises two parts: a $100 million economic development fund to invest in communities along the canal and $65 million toward preventing ice jams and flooding in the Schenectady area. The remaining $135 million will be allocated based on recommendations made in the task force’s report.
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How to decorate your apartment with the Pantone Color of the Year, Classic Blue

Image courtesy of Pantone

January 6, 2020

How to decorate your apartment with the Pantone Color of the Year, Classic Blue

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Since 2000, the Pantone Color Institute graphics company has chosen a Color of the Year, and the 2020 hue is PANTONE 19-4052 TCX, otherwise known as "Classic Blue." The blue hue is indeed a classic–a primary color that's simple, bright, and doesn't pull any punches. It calls to mind blueberries, nautical motifs, and, yes, Facebook. Below are some ideas for putting a pop of this cheery color in your space and your life, from apartment-friendly sofas and chairs to necessary accessories like a self-cleaning water bottle.
A Classic Blue mood, this way
Iconic West Village wooden house drops its price to $8.75M

Photos by Allyson Lubow and Corcoran’s Dean DeCarlo, courtesy of The Corcoran Group

January 3, 2020

Iconic West Village wooden house drops its price to $8.75M

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If you follow the NYC streetscape Instagram circuit, the historic 1822 home at 17 Grove Street in the West Village will certainly look familiar. Its adorable facade, corner location, and the fact that it's one of the oldest standing wood-frame houses in the Village, all make this property photo-ready. But looks alone don't seem to be doing the trick, as the Post tells us that the home has lowered its asking price to $8.75 million from the $12 million it listed for in April.
See more here
Times Square’s Palace Theatre overhaul includes outdoor stage and ‘ball drop’ suites

Rendering courtesy of TSX Broadway

January 2, 2020

Times Square’s Palace Theatre overhaul includes outdoor stage and ‘ball drop’ suites

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A mixed-use development project hopes to bring even more bright lights and theatrics to Times Square. A team of developers, led by L&L Holding Company, will provide the ultimate New Year's Eve experience at its new luxury hotel, part of the plan to transform the historic Palace Theatre into TSX Broadway. New renderings of the $2.5 billion project, which involves raising the theater more than 30 feet and building a 669-room hotel above it, show off suites with perfect views of the Times Square ball drop, the neighborhood's first outdoor stage, and immersive retail experiences.
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21 experts on NYC’s most important projects of the past decade
December 30, 2019

21 experts on NYC’s most important projects of the past decade

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As the decade draws to a close, we're reflecting on the growth and evolution of New York City during the 2010s. In the past 10 years, the city has seen the rebirth of neighborhoods, the creation of a totally new one, the return of a major sports team to Brooklyn, and the biggest subway expansion in decades. We've asked notable New Yorkers to share which project of the past decade they believe has made the most significant impact on the city, from the redevelopment of the World Trade Center site to the revival of the Coney Island boardwalk.
The full list ahead
Announcing 6sqft’s 2019 Building of the Year!

Rendering via DBOX; frame via Pixabay

December 13, 2019

Announcing 6sqft’s 2019 Building of the Year!

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The votes have been tallied, and it’s time to name the 2019 Building of the Year! The winning title belongs to none other than Nomad's Madison House at 15 East 30th Street. The 62-story tower beat out 11 other significant NYC buildings, taking first place with 1,284 votes, 34% of the 3,823 total votes cast. Not only is the building the tallest in Nomad at 805 feet, but its sleek design from Handel Architects was done in a unique decagon shape that allows all of the 199 apartments to have column-free corners. Plus, Nomad is an ever-burgeoning neighborhood full of hip restaurants, plenty of transit options, and one of the city's greatest concentrations of fitness studios.
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NYC’s 11 best starchitect-designed buildings that you can live in
December 12, 2019

NYC’s 11 best starchitect-designed buildings that you can live in

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The Empire State Building, the Chrysler Building, One World Trade Center: all buildings that instantly come to mind when you think of the iconic New York City skyline. But more and more new skyscrapers are beginning to pop up in that classic view. And while it’s likely many an architects' dream to contribute a design to the most famous skyline in the world, only a handful of world-renowned "starchitects" get to do it. Ahead, 6sqft has rounded up 11 starchitect-designed condo buildings that you can actually live in, from veterans like Robert A.M. Stern and Renzo Piano to some more up-and-comers like David Adjaye and Bjarke Ingels.
See the list
Massive Bjarke Ingels-designed apartment towers and public beach planned for Williamsburg

All renderings © James Corner Field Operations and BIG-Bjarke Ingels Group, courtesy of Two Trees Management

December 12, 2019

Massive Bjarke Ingels-designed apartment towers and public beach planned for Williamsburg

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Two new mixed-use towers with 1,000 units of housing and six acres of public space have been proposed for the North Brooklyn waterfront. Two Trees Management on Thursday unveiled plans to bring two Bjarke Ingels Group-designed buildings, one at 650 feet and the other at 600 feet, on River Street between North 1st and North 3rd Street in Williamsburg. The buildings, with Metropolitan Avenue running between them, will serve as an entrance to the new waterfront space, part of a master plan designed in collaboration with BIG and James Corner Field Operations. The park and public beach would close the gap between Grand Ferry Park and North Fifth Park, eventually providing continuous access to the East River between South Williamsburg and Greenpoint.
Check out the whole project
See inside The Wing’s newest location in Bryant Park

Images by Tory Williams; courtesy of The Wing

December 11, 2019

See inside The Wing’s newest location in Bryant Park

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The Wing is celebrating the end of a busy year with the opening of its newest NYC location in Bryant Park at 25 West 39th Street. As we've come to expect from the women-only co-working and community space, the design is warm, inviting, and highly Instagrammable. It occupies roughly 7,000 square feet—the entire 11th floor of the building—with a range of workspaces, personal areas, a mother's room, a full-service cafe, and more.
Take a look around
One Vanderbilt’s observation deck named the Summit, will have two glass-floored overhangs

Photo of One Vanderbilt on December 11, 2019 © 6sqft

December 11, 2019

One Vanderbilt’s observation deck named the Summit, will have two glass-floored overhangs

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After attending a presentation by One Vanderbilt's developer SL Green, the Post was able to share some juicy new details on the office building's observation deck, which will be the second-highest outdoor deck in the city and is being designed by Snøhetta. Now known as The Summit at One Vanderbilt, the 59th-floor deck will have "two step-out, glass floor ledges that overhang Madison Avenue." Also on this floor will be food and beverage options, and on the floor below will be an "'infinity room' with 40-foot-high ceilings." The building is set to open in August 2020, while the Summit will begin welcoming guests (who will pay $35 for the experience) at the end of 2021.
More details right here
New NYC buildings must be constructed with bird-friendly materials

Image by Pexels from Pixabay

December 11, 2019

New NYC buildings must be constructed with bird-friendly materials

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The New York City Council approved on Tuesday a bill requiring new buildings to be constructed with bird-friendly materials. Considered the most extensive policy of its kind in the country, the initiative mandates new glass buildings, as well as projects undergoing a major renovation, to be equipped with materials that are easier for birds to see. Each year, between roughly 90,000 and 230,000 birds die each year in New York City from colliding with glass buildings, according to the NYC Audubon. 
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Swedish photography museum Fotografiska to open in the historic Church Missions House

Renderings courtesy of CetraRuddy

December 10, 2019

Swedish photography museum Fotografiska to open in the historic Church Missions House

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Stockholm-based photography museum Fotografiska is opening its first stateside outpost in New York City this month. Housed inside the former Church Missions House at 281 Park Avenue South, the organization will bring 45,000 square feet of exhibition and event spaces, alongside a restaurant inspired by European “grand cafés.” New York firm CetraRuddy led the restoration and redesign of the landmarked space, working with Higgins Quasebarth & Partners to preserve the stained-glass windows and limestone and granite facade of the Renaissance Revival building.
More info
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