Jeanne Gang completes ‘solar-carving’ tower on the High Line, her firm’s first NYC building
Photo © Timothy Schenck
The Meatpacking District gained a new architectural landmark this week. Construction of Studio Gang’s 40 Tenth Avenue is officially complete, making it Jeanne Gang and her firm’s first New York City building. Nicknamed the Solar Carve Tower because the way its facade seems to have been “sculpted by the angles of the sun,” the 10-story, High Line-facing office tower is designed to allow for lots of sunlight without casting shadows on the neighboring green space.
View of the tower from 13th Street; Photo © Nic Lehoux
The commercial tower topped out last April and the installation of its geometric glass began four months later, wrapping up in December. Now with construction officially complete, developers Aurora Capital Associates and William Gottlieb Real Estate have announced that private investment firm Starwood Capital Group Holdings signed a lease for the entire eighth floor of the building. The ground level will house the marketing center of Hyundai’s luxury car brand, Genesis.
“It’s extremely gratifying to see our vision for 40 Tenth Avenue come to fruition,” Bobby Cayre, CEO of Aurora, said in a press release. “Thanks to the hard work and dedication of many people, the building’s iconic design, amazing views, and abundant outdoor spaces will benefit the Meatpacking District for many years to come.”
View of the tower from the High Line; Photo © Nic Lehoux
Studio Gang studied the technology behind “solar carving” buildings, or those that respond to the sun’s rays. According to the firm, the building mass was pushed West and carved back to allow for both sunlight and air to hit the High Line. At High Line level and near the top of the building, the units carve away the corners to create private balconies for tenants.
Tenants of 40 Tenth Avenue will enjoy 20,000 square feet of outdoor space, which includes a shared roof deck and additional space that overlooks the High Line on the second floor.
The tower serves as the first completed New York City building for Studio Gang, but not the firm’s last. The team is currently working on the Museum of Natural History expansion and the residential tower 11 Hoyt Street in Downtown Brooklyn, which topped out in June.
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