Redevelopment of 451 Lexington? (SE Corner at 45th st)

[sfenn1117]

Can't tell if it will just be a retail base or retail with a tower above, but I found this on RKF's site. This would be great news, there is textbook londonlawyer crap on the site right now. It doesn't include the wendy's though.

http://i16.tinypic.com/6kf3qk4.jpg

http://www.rkf.com/cgi-bin/Go.cgi?x_action=propertySearch&d_id=22&submitted=1&r_page=4&p_market=1&p_region=1

http://propertyshark.com/mason/nyc/Reports2/showsection.html?propkey=20978

[londonlawyer]

That's great news! I hate that corner with the Sbarro's.

[antinimby]

Despite the site's 15 FAR allowance, the footprint isn't very large so it's not going to be that big.

We'll have to wait and see when the NB permits shows up if there's going to be anything above that retail base.


http://img405.imageshack.us/img405/4872/45lexingtonop1.jpg

[londonlawyer]

This site and the Bunny Deli site were among the sites on Lex between 42nd and 59th that I hated the most. Fortunately, they're both being developed.

There are three sites on Lex near 57th St. that contain horrible low-rise garbage that must go ASAP. Two of them are on the west side of Lex and contain discount electronics stores, magazine shops, etc. The other one is on the east side of Lex and contains a TGI Fridays and some real estate office.

[londonlawyer]

I just noted that that filthy Wendy's will not be razed. That really sucks.

[lofter1]

Well, as long as they keep that tree in front of it ...

[antinimby]

LOL. That tree was probably placed there in the renderings by the artist for that purpose, i.e. obscuring the Wendy's, who's landlord was probably a holdout.

Notice in the real life pic, the tree is closer to the intersection and away from the Wendy's.

[ASchwarz]

Hmm, seems pretty clear to me that there's a highrise on top.

Isn't that the elevator shaft (or at least the structure itself) on the left?

The zoning allows for a tall, skinny highrise. Probably ideal for a hotel.

[pianoman11686]

I think I once read that Shvo was planning a hotel on Lex & 45th.

[MidtownGuy]

Where the Bunny Deli was. The site is cleared.

[sfenn1117]

^Isn't that site further up on lex?

[antinimby]

Yep, on 48 St. to be precise. Here's that thread (http://wirednewyork.com/forum/showthread.php?t=12201).

[antinimby]

After checking out the numbers for that ^ project, I've come to the conclusion that this project, which also has similar buildable square footage (~78,000 sf) , will have additional floors above the retail base.

The one on 48 St. is projected to have 24 floors so this one will probably be right around there also.

[MidtownGuy]

oops, sorry for the mistake.

[londonlawyer]

It would be nice if the owner could acquire the crappy Wendy's building too.

Also, it would be nice if someone could redevelop the blue glass POS on the north side of the block. The immediate area surrounding this site has architectural masterpieces and derserves great neighbors.

Aby Rosen's RFR Realty sold a two-story corner retail property at 451 Lexington Avenue at 45th Street in Midtown for $28.7 million.

http://s3.amazonaws.com/trd_three/images/216468/451_lexington_rosen_680.jpg

A Connecticut-based buyer identified as 451 Lexington Realty went into contract on the purchase Nov. 2 and closed Nov. 30, city property records published today show.

RFR Realty bought the 13,585-square-foot property in 1992 for an undisclosed sum. A one-story portion of the property is leased to fast food-restaurant Sbarro while a two-story portion is leased to McDonalds. There are three other tenants as well. The listing said the property was suited for a mixed-use development, because four of the leases expire within a year and the fifth has a demolition clause.

The property has a total of 78,750 square feet of development rights, giving it a sale price of $364 per buildable square foot.

Rosen was not available for comment, the company said.

Massey Knakal Realty Services Chairman Robert Knakal and Clint Olsen, first vice president of sales, were the sole brokers on the sale. Knakal declined to comment.

http://therealdeal.com/newyork/articles/aby-rosen-company-rfr-realty-sells-retail-at-451-lexington-avenue

[Derek2k3]

NB permit filed for new 27 story tower. The Wendy's is still not included.

http://a810-bisweb.nyc.gov/bisweb/JobsQueryByNumberServlet?requestid=4&passjobnumber=120745499&passdocnumber=01

http://farm7.static.flickr.com/6021/5926732969_9ee30d748b_b.jpg

[londonlawyer]

This is good news. It's a shame that that filthy Wendy's isn't coming down. Maybe the developer can hire Macklowe to demolish it one night or set it on fire.

[NoyokA]

The Wendy's is part of the development site, its coming down.

[antinimby]

Consolidation of smaller sites into one big one throughout Manhattan is not a good thing.

Keep footprint sizes small!

[londonlawyer]

The Wendy's is part of the development site, its coming down.

That's good news. That building is a little eyesore that would never be redeveloped absent being part of a larger parcel.

[RoldanTTLB]

Aren't we all so schizophrenic today? Yikes! I don't know if I've ever once walked by here. I'll need to check it out.

[MidtownGuy]

The businesses have all been cleared out.

[londonlawyer]

The businesses have all been cleared out.

Is Wendy's closed too?

I hope that the crappy little blue glass building just opposite this site (i.e., on the northeast corner of 45th and Lex.) is razed. It's an eyesore.

[MidtownGuy]

yes, Wendy's, McD's and the corner shop are all closed.

[londonlawyer]

Thanks, amigo.

Is the site at 675 Lex still stalled?

[antinimby]

Watch, the ground floor of the new building will have a lobby and a bank branch to replace all those eateries. Another block deaden.

Does anybody else think Manhattan has gotten very boring now?

[lesterp4]

yes chase and duane reade everywhere

[NoyokA]

Who in their right mind laments the loss of a Sbarro, McDonald's, and a Wendy's? I wouldn't eat at any of them if you paid me. The buildings that housed them were taxpayer eyesores.

[antinimby]

^ That's the argument some people make while the city is gradually wiped cleaned of any soul its got left.

Let's face it, those taxpayers could very well have been ornate walkups or townhouses with non-McDonald's restaurants and the same thing would happen.

Also, I'm not even talking about this one instance per se but the general road the city is going down. There's no denying that.

[londonlawyer]

Who in their right mind laments the loss of a Sbarro, McDonald's, and a Wendy's? I wouldn't eat at any of them if you paid me. The buildings that housed them were taxpayer eyesores.

I agree with you, amigo. I hope that the blue POS on the north corner comes down next.

[NoyokA]

^ That's the argument some people make while the city is gradually wiped cleaned of any soul its got left.

Let's face it, those taxpayers could very well have been ornate walkups or townhouses with non-McDonald's restaurants and the same thing would happen.

Also, I'm not even talking about this one instance per se but the general road the city is going down. There's no denying that.

Why do argue for the sake of arguing? Yes they could've been gems with uniquely New York boutiques and cafes, just like the sky could've been green instead of blue. The fact is they weren't, quit complaining.

[antinimby]

Why should I or anyone here quit anything?

Should we just stop posting all together? Or should we only post what you like to hear and approve of?

[NoyokA]

The sky is blue.

[RoldanTTLB]

I remain intrigued by this thread and others. That the city's soul is somehow lost. To me, one of the unique aspects of NYC is the constant rebirth. Almost everything here is built on the foundations of something else. No one stopped to think, maybe I shouldn't tear down this 2 story brick townhouse to put a 5 story walk up in the east village. Now they haven't stopped to put up some 13 story glass monster. That's maybe the best part. There's no reason you can't idolize a city like London or Paris as the epitome of preservation. Why does NYC need to be that?

I think every generation has claimed that this city has lost it's soul, because quite honestly, their memories of what it was are better than the reality. A friend of mine laments the loss of the 80's, but in his next breathe tells me that I'd have a different perspective on riding the subway late at night if I'd been mugged twice at knife point like he was in the 80's. Excuse me? I've been here more than four years now and not been mugged. I'd like to be here another 4 years and not be mugged. Muggings DO NOT BUILD CHARACTER. They are not now, nor were they ever good for you. ANYWHERE would be a better place without them. Period. Who in their right mind would trade crime for even a handsome pile of bricks or an adventurous nightclub, or, god forbid, the city's soul? I don't understand, and maybe that's my fault.

[Snackbar21]

yes, Wendy's, McD's and the corner shop are all closed.

from yesterday 7/12/11
13574

[oquatanginwan]

There's always Brooklyn and Queens. As for these lowrise POS, good riddance, especially the one in Joker colors.

[BStyles]

I remain intrigued by this thread and others. That the city's soul is somehow lost. To me, one of the unique aspects of NYC is the constant rebirth. Almost everything here is built on the foundations of something else. No one stopped to think, maybe I shouldn't tear down this 2 story brick townhouse to put a 5 story walk up in the east village. Now they haven't stopped to put up some 13 story glass monster. That's maybe the best part. There's no reason you can't idolize a city like London or Paris as the epitome of preservation. Why does NYC need to be that?

I think every generation has claimed that this city has lost it's soul, because quite honestly, their memories of what it was are better than the reality. A friend of mine laments the loss of the 80's, but in his next breathe tells me that I'd have a different perspective on riding the subway late at night if I'd been mugged twice at knife point like he was in the 80's. Excuse me? I've been here more than four years now and not been mugged. I'd like to be here another 4 years and not be mugged. Muggings DO NOT BUILD CHARACTER. They are not now, nor were they ever good for you. ANYWHERE would be a better place without them. Period. Who in their right mind would trade crime for even a handsome pile of bricks or an adventurous nightclub, or, god forbid, the city's soul? I don't understand, and maybe that's my fault.

You have a point. It's a shame though; a lot of us can design very iconic and beautiful skyscrapers, using aspects from some of the most unique buildings throughout history, and many architects do that. It's just that the city doesn't know how to choose their architects wisely.

[BStyles]

There's always Brooklyn and Queens. As for these lowrise POS, good riddance, especially the one in Joker colors.
The one in joker colors, or the one in the colors of the Italian flag--Sbarro--Isn't some mom and pop restaurant; it's a worldwide franchise. Whatever they build on this site will probably include ground level retail, so this restaurant has a good chance of reappearing in the same spot, and upgrading from an express, up to the full restaurant.

[BrooklynLove]

It will be nice to see this corner improved, however regardless this junction will continue to be one of the most miserable places in all of NYC, IMHO. The whole stretch of Lex between 42nd and 45th is a disaster.

[londonlawyer]

from yesterday 7/12/11
13574

It's a beautiful site to see these pieces of crap on their deathbed. Hopefully, more crap will meet its demise soon!

[antinimby]

Whatever they build on this site will probably include ground level retail, so this restaurant has a good chance of reappearing in the same spot, and upgrading from an express, up to the full restaurant.That has about as much chance of happening as Gene Kaufman designing an iconic building in this city.

If there is even retail space at all, it will be a bank branch, condo/apartment sales/rental office, or be left vacant for years and years, and after that it will be...you guessed it...a bank branch.

[RoldanTTLB]

Starbucks? It's mostly because developers of new build are willing to sit waiting for the highest priced use absolutely possible. On top of that, bank branches are the least offensive retail tenant a building can possibly have. Even dentist offices, used book stores, and hat shops have smells for residents to complain about. Bank branches have short hours and nothing to smell. They are, for all intents and purposes, solid gold tenants. It's sad, but you need look no further than something like 200 Chambers to see what sort of issues crop up when you go the food route (even classy dining). If we ever have an in-person meetup, I'll share the plight of my sad sad building.

[ZippyTheChimp]

Who wants a smelly city.

[GreenwichBoy]

Scafolding going up today.

[londonlawyer]

Fantastic! Hopefully, something reasonably nice will rise here.

[Derek2k3]

http://farm7.static.flickr.com/6064/6060487153_13257442ee_b.jpg
Looks like Nobutaka Ashihara got his inspiration for the base of Lexington House from the Gotham Comics Building.


http://farm7.static.flickr.com/6082/6060487155_5cf40e2d94_b.jpg
It needs flags.


http://farm7.static.flickr.com/6079/6060487159_9313ce52d0_b.jpg
At least it's not offensive.
The clock might have been interesting.

http://farm7.static.flickr.com/6198/6060487161_4a37d49f12_b.jpg

[londonlawyer]

http://farm7.static.flickr.com/6064/6060487153_13257442ee_b.jpg

Great news. Hopefully, the little blue piece of junk on the north corner (with Zeller Tuxedo) will be redeveloped too.

[GreenwichBoy]

Walked by yesterday looks like the demo work is done.

[antinimby]

NB permits (a810-bisweb.nyc.gov/bisweb/JobsQueryByNumberServlet?requestid=3&passjobnumber=120745499&passdocnumber=01) show they're planning a 27-story, 263 ft. hotel with 288 rooms.

The listed architect of record is "Flatiron Architects, LLC."

Can't be worse than the better known ones around here, I guess.

[lofter1]

Records show the address for Flatiron Architects LLC is at 6 West 18th Street, and that the LLC was formed in July 2011.

DOB shows the architect: William Green, who has offices at that same address.

William Green & Associates (http://wgaarchitects.net/company.html)

[EastMillinocket]

New York IMBY blog
http://newyorkyimby.blogspot.com/2011/12/451-lexington-new-hotel-possibly-about.html



451 Lexington: New Hotel (Possibly) About To Rise
The developer of 451 Lexington had their application rejected at the end of the last month, but that has not stopped them. The buildings on site have already been demolished, and the developer has filed a challenge to the rejection, which is currently pending approval.

No design has yet been released, but the architect is Flatiron Architects LLC. The submitted application calls for a new hotel on site, rising 263 feet (27 stories) and containing 288 rooms. The application also includes a small commercial component.

News on this site has been slow to emerge, so the continuing application process is definitely relieving for those wanting to see this site put to good use.

Here's the permit (http://a810-bisweb.nyc.gov/bisweb/JobsQueryByNumberServlet?requestid=3&passjobnumber=120745499&passdocnumber=01), and for those unfamiliar with street addresses of Lexington, the building will be on the corner of 45th street.