Photographer Iwan Baan captures Bjarke Ingels’ now-complete Via 57 West from all angles

On Wednesday, Bjarke Ingels‘ famous rental tetrahedron Via 57 West wrapped up construction, and now that the cranes are down and the shimmering facade panels are all set in place, we can see the building in its true glory. Architectural photographer Iwan Baan wasted no time, releasing a captivating set of images that showcase the half-block-long development from just about every angle, including some incredible aerial shots. First shared by designboom, the photographs provide never-before-seen vantages of the building’s central courtyard, as well as views of how the 32-story building fits in with the skyline.

The Durst Organization brought BIG on in 2010 for the project, with construction commencing the following year. Because of its unusual shape, the 450-foot-tall building changes appearance based on the direction from which it’s being viewed.

Early on, Bjarke himself referred to the project as a courtscraper, “the lovechild of a courtyard building and a skyscraper.” He explained: “By boiling down Central Park to the scale of a city block, we ended up nesting the qualities of the urban oasis into a single building.” This is a popular typology in Ingels’ hometown Copenhagen.

The courtyard was designed by landscape architecture firm Starr Whitehouse. On its eastern end, it’s a shaded forest, and to the west a sunny meadow. There are 47 species of native plant material throughout.

The lobby walls are adorned with jagged bricks that resemble the configuration of the balconies overlooking the courtyard.

The lower level is the amenity floor, which includes two lounges, a screening room, fitness center, swimming pool, half-basketball court, golf simulator, party room, and chef’s kitchen.

Last October, the housing lottery opened for 142 affordable apartments in the building (20 percent of the 709 total units), ranging from $565/month studios to $1,067/month three bedrooms. And in February, pricing was revealed for the market-rate units, which have an average asking price of $2,770/month for studios, $3,880 for one-bedrooms, $6,500 for two-bedrooms, $11,000 for three-bedrooms, and a whopping $16,500 for four-bedrooms.

All apartments use environmentally friendly design tactics, and because of the building’s shape, there will be 178 different floorplans. Seventy percent of the units have Hudson River views and one-third overlook the courtyard (some even have direct access).

Affordable housing tenants began moving in March, with market-rate tenants following in May. You can view listings for Via 57 West on CityRealty.com.

[Via designboom]

RELATED:

• Pricing Revealed for Market-Rate Rentals at Bjarke Ingels’ Via Tetrahedron
• VIDEO: Watch Ironworkers Set Panels on Bjarke Ingels’ Via Tetrahedron
• REVEALED: Inside Bjarke Ingels’ Spectacular 57th Street Tetrahedron
• All Via 57 West coverage on 6sqft

All photographs © Iwan Baan