One 57 - 157 West 57th Street - 1003 feet - by Christian de Portzamparc [Archive]

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tmg

December 6th, 2004, 11:23 AM

londonlawyer

December 6th, 2004, 11:57 AM

Does anybody know what's up with these properties? Several buildings in a row are closed, which suggests something bigger may be going in their place.

Uncle Sam's Umbrella Shop looks like it hasn't been open in 40 years.

Is that on the north side of the street between 6th and 7th? I was by there a few weeks ago and noticed that several buildings were empty.

tmg

December 6th, 2004, 02:46 PM

Is that on the north side of the street between 6th and 7th?

Yes.

Gulcrapek

December 6th, 2004, 04:38 PM

The DOB doesn't turn up anything significant..

tmg

December 6th, 2006, 06:23 PM

Still a mystery what's up with these buildings. Anybody have a clue?

londonlawyer

December 6th, 2006, 06:37 PM

These buildings have been vacant for a long time, and sidewalk scaffolding had been erected quite some time ago. I assumed that they would be demolished, but then the scaffolding came down. They're actually nice buildings (especially the little ones east and west of the large one). Maybe since the market is changing, the owners decided not to proceed with a condo project.

lofter1

December 6th, 2006, 08:26 PM

DOB lists 161 w. 57th as an individual Landmark (http://a810-bisweb.nyc.gov/bisweb/PropertyProfileOverviewServlet?bin=1023719&requestid=4)

DOB lists 155-159 as One Building (http://a810-bisweb.nyc.gov/bisweb/PropertyProfileOverviewServlet?bin=1023720&requestid=6) (not Landmarked)

londonlawyer

December 7th, 2006, 11:16 AM

There I know there's a landmarked building just west of the site, and it's stunning. However, just east of it and just west of the large building, there's a small one (which I think has dormer windows). I don't think it's landmarked. It's nice though and should be saved.

londonlawyer

December 18th, 2006, 12:30 PM

I went by there this weekend. The small (not landmarked) building that I referred to housed an umbrella store which is now closed. It sits between the large building and a beautiful, small land marked building.

http://www.emporis.com/files/transfer/5/2002/11/171694.jpg

krulltime

December 20th, 2006, 09:23 AM

Between The Bricks

Lois weiss
December 20, 2006

Gary Barnett is close to realizing his dream of building a tower across from Carnegie Hall.

The Post has learned that the head of Extell Development has given remaining occupants until Jan. 15 to get out, allegedly before a series of large and small buildings is demolished. To date, however, no such demolition or new building permits could be found in process or issued in the Department of Building's database.

What you will see, however, is more and more scaffolding and construction fencing appearing from 157 W. 57th St. and stretching to the east. That's because as long as the buildings are up, local law requires that the facades must be in good condition.

Barnett has hired Cetra/Ruddy to handle the facade work, however, it is possible that the local architectural firm led by John Cetra and Nancy Ruddy is also designing the replacement tower. Bovis Lend Lease is apparently heading up the construction. Our calls went unreturned.

Copyright 2006NYP Holdings, Inc.

infoshare

December 20th, 2006, 10:04 AM

Sky view and map.

londonlawyer

December 20th, 2006, 11:08 AM

Gershon strikes again! Some beautiful small buildings will be razed. Let's hope that he, at least, designs a nice tower on this site.

stache

December 20th, 2006, 11:59 AM

Any idea of how tall a new building there could go?

londonlawyer

December 20th, 2006, 12:17 PM

I don't know, but it's a huge site. I would imagine that it will be over 650 feet and could be taller. The site's frontage on 57th Street is gigantic, and I don't know how deep it is. Assuming that it's rather shallow, one would expect a pretty tall, but shallow building. I wonder if it will crack 800 feet.

sfenn1117

December 20th, 2006, 01:30 PM

tmg

December 20th, 2006, 02:16 PM

Could somebody with a digital camera please take a picture of Uncle Sam's Umbrella Shop, for posterity?

londonlawyer

December 20th, 2006, 02:18 PM

You can see it to the left of No. 157 W. 57th if you look at the photos of that building posted on Emporis. I tried to paste it, but a red "x" appeared. That building was a gem, as are the three small buildings located to the east of 157. It's a real shame to lose them. For that matter, with a little TLC, No. 157 is quite a nice building. It will be a real travesty if Gershon replaces these great structures with a mediocre glass box.

infoshare

December 20th, 2006, 10:08 PM

Photo from emporis:D

londonlawyer

December 21st, 2006, 11:13 AM

Does it include the garage behind it on W 58th? Snooping around on property shark 147-163 west 57th and 158-166 west 58th were all bought within the past two years or so. If it includes all these parcels, this tower could be huge.

Assuming that Gershon purchased those sites, a portion of this block will run to 58th Street, and it is quite a huge site. Hopefully, that means lots of air rights and a tower exceeding 800 feet. Given the Mandarin's sale of its Time Warner site, it would be nice if they anchored this building.

Given Gershon's involvement, it's not surprising that 158 W58th is quite a nice building which will be sacrificed for this project. To date, Gershon has built only one nice project in my opinion (i.e., the twin towers on WEA). I really hope that his needles destruction of six or seven nice, old buildings on this site will at least yield a beautiful, pretty tall tower.

stache

December 21st, 2006, 11:44 AM

It will be interesting to see a fourth tower added to the Carnagie triptych.

londonlawyer

December 21st, 2006, 11:58 AM

It will be interesting to see a fourth tower added to the Carnagie triptych.

True. Hopefully, it's taller than the other three. I think of the three, CitySpire is the tallest. Do you know how tall it is?

stache

December 21st, 2006, 01:30 PM

Emporis quote -

The tower exceeded the allowed height by a few meters, but the government and residents have exaggerated the problem into a scandal, causing CitySpire owners to create a community center for seniors as a "punishment".

I'm hoping whatever it is, that it's not a dull cube, which would kind of ruin the effect of the other three.

antinimby

December 21st, 2006, 08:11 PM

I'm hoping whatever it is, that it's not a dull cube, which would kind of ruin the effect of the other three.In this city, that would be very likely.

MidtownApt

December 28th, 2006, 03:31 PM

The site includes the 4 small mixed-use buildings, office building, Uncle Sam's and CAMI buildings on W 57th, garage on W 58th, and loads of air rights from 57th, 58th, and even the west side of 7th Ave. It'll be huge.

antinimby

December 28th, 2006, 11:17 PM

That's the way we like it here (huge vertically, not horizontally though) . :D

pianoman11686

January 7th, 2007, 12:05 AM

I'm not positive, but I think this is the site the project is planned for. Construction netting is up:

http://images5.fotki.com/v88/photos/1/1072585/4470849/NewYorkJanuary025-vi.jpg

Also, does anyone know if this project is at all related to this one: http://wirednewyork.com/forum/showthread.php?t=8439

mhh

January 14th, 2007, 09:58 AM

Any further information concerning 157 West 57th St and/or 225 West 57th St? What about 110 West 57th St? I´ve seen on Costas Kondylis web page(kondylis.com) that there´s another skyscraper planned.

londonlawyer

January 14th, 2007, 05:40 PM

That's an awesome building, but I think that it's the dead proposal for the Director's Guild tower.

londonlawyer

January 26th, 2007, 07:24 PM

Gershon filed a demolition permit on 1/23.

01/23/2007 104658531 01 A3 OSP F ASSIGNED TO P/E 01/24/2007 MIANDOBI SALMAS
EQUIPMENT USE FOR DEMOLITION OF THE EXISTING BUILDING

londonlawyer

January 26th, 2007, 07:33 PM

mhh

January 28th, 2007, 03:44 PM

Besides Centra/Ruddy apparently will design this tower.

Thank you for the information londonlawyer. What do you think, when can we see the first proposals for the tower? And what about the reputation of Centra/Ruddy?

londonlawyer

January 28th, 2007, 11:12 PM

Thank you for the information londonlawyer. What do you think, when can we see the first proposals for the tower? And what about the reputation of Centra/Ruddy?

Hi, man. I don't know the answer to either question. It could be quite some time before we see proposals though. I hope that Gershon builds something with limestone and brick though I doubt that he will.

londonlawyer

January 30th, 2007, 01:07 PM

This project is moving forward. I wonder if this could exceed 800 feet considering how huge the site is and how lucrative it would be to maximize park views.

The following demo permit was recently filed for the garage behind this site on 58th St.

Location: Block: 1010 Lot(s): 57 BIN: 1023739 C.B.No: 105
Apt No: Use: OTHER
SPECIFIC FLOORS: OSP

--------------------------------------------------------------------------------

Work Types Submitted: EQ

Construction Equipment: OTHER EQUIP: BOBCAT

--------------------------------------------------------------------------------

Current Applicant of Record: EBRAHIM MIANBOABI Phone: 914-498-0872
N/A
271 SPRAIN RD, SCARDALE, NY 10583
Professional Title: PE License Number: 79548
D-14 Applicant of Record: EBRAHIM MIANBOABI Phone: 914-498-0872
N/A
271 SPRAIN RD, SCARDALE, NY 10583
Professional Title: PE License Number: 79548
Filing Representative: SALMASSIAN ROYA Phone: 917-333-6113
ROYAL CONSTRUCTION SERVICES INC
271 SPRAIN RD, SCARSDALE, NY 105853

--------------------------------------------------------------------------------

Last Action: PERMIT ISSUED - ENTIRE JOB/WORK 01/23/2007 (R)

Pre-Filed: 01/16/2007 Date Filed: 01/16/2007
Fees: STANDARD Estimated Total Cost: $0.00 PC Filed: N

--------------------------------------------------------------------------------

Additional Considerations:

Directive 14: Y Old Code: Y Quality Housing: N Site Safety: N
Infill Zoning: N Loft Review: N Single Room Occupancy: N
Declaration: Page: Reel:
Adult Establishment: N
Little 'E' Restrictions: N/A Landmark: N

--------------------------------------------------------------------------------

Job Description:
EQUIPMENT USE FOR DEMOLITION OF THEEXISTING GARAGE CAT 303.5, 226, 304, 377 BOBCAT____CAT 331, 246

Plans Submitted: ME
Occupancy Classification: Existing: COM - COMMERCIAL BUILDINGS - OLD CODE
Proposed:
Construction Classification: EXIST OLD CODE: 1

--------------------------------------------------------------------------------

Zoning District: C6-6 - GENERAL CENTRAL COMMERCIAL DISTRICT
Special District: NONE
Street Status: PUBLIC
Map No.: 008C

--------------------------------------------------------------------------------

Building Dimension: No. Stories: 7 Street Frontage:
Height: 75 Dwelling Units:
Total Gross Area of Building: Fill:
Site Area Characteristics:

Metes and Bounds:
Beginning at a point on the side of
Distant Ft. of the corner formed by the intersection of and
RUNNING THENCE 0 FT. THENCE 0 FT.
RUNNING THENCE 0 FT. THENCE 0 FT.
RUNNING THENCE 0 FT. THENCE 0 FT.
RUNNING THENCE 0 FT. THENCE 0 FT.

--------------------------------------------------------------------------------

Owner: CORPORATION Non-Profit Flag: N
BARNETT GARY PRESIDENT
EXTELL WEST 57TH STREET LLC 800 THIRD AVENUE 212 712 - 6000
NEW YORK NY 10022
OCCUPANCY CERTIFICATION: N
OCCUPANCY NOTIFICATION: N
REL TO BLDG OWNER: PRESIDENT
CORPORATION:
KWESTEL MARC VICE PRESI
800 THIRD AVENUE NEW YORK NY 10022 212 712 - 6000

londonlawyer

January 31st, 2007, 11:15 AM

There is a lot of activity at this site both on 57th Street and 58th. I wonder if this building can surpass 800 or 900 feet. The site is absolutely huge.

pagh

February 10th, 2007, 02:35 PM

[quote=tmg;37607]Does anybody know what's up with these properties? Several buildings in a row are closed, which suggests something bigger may be going in their plac

ON Feb 9 2007 my wife asked one of the construction workers who were dismantling the interiors what was going on? The reply was "This is coming down and 80 stories are going up, should be finished in 2 1/2 years. It's going to be the biggest condo in nyc having commercial section in lower part of building. It's going to tower well above the buildings on Central Park South so it will have great views. They [the developers] have a permit for 1000 ft."

Derek2k3

February 10th, 2007, 03:13 PM

I really hope your right, something big will rise there for sure though.

I'll repost this excerpt from an nearly year old article.

NY Post

NEW LOOK ON TAP
By STEVE CUOZZO
February 14, 2006

Biggest by far is the parcel assembled by Gary Barnett's Extell Development Co. over the last seven years. Extell owns six adjacent buildings on the north side, Nos. 147-161, with 150 feet of precious sidewalk frontage.

Extell also bought air rights from vacant CAMI Hall at no. 165 and from the Briarcliffe apartment building on the Seventh Avenue corner — easily generating a new project of several hundred thousand square feet.

Except for a pizza shop and the Fontana di Trevi restaurant, most of the addresses are vacant.

Barnett is aware of the block's condition: "There are a lot of development sites, but so far no development," he observed.

He predicts that eventually, 57th Street "is going to be one of the great public promenades," but says Extell is far from deciding how or when to proceed.

"We will one day do something but nothing is imminent," he said. "We hope it will be within this decade."

Extell, which just completed the highly successful Orion apartment tower on West 42nd Street, has its hands full with projects all over town.

londonlawyer

February 10th, 2007, 04:54 PM

lofter1

February 11th, 2007, 12:13 AM

The only recent DOB applications for 155-159 W. 57th (http://a810-bisweb.nyc.gov/bisweb/JobsQueryByLocationServlet?requestid=4&allbin=1023720&allstrt=WEST+++57+STREET&allnumbhous=155) are demo related (filed in Jan. '07). Nothing for a New Building there.

The only recent DOB applications for 161 W. 57th (http://a810-bisweb.nyc.gov/bisweb/JobsQueryByLocationServlet?requestid=5&allbin=1023719&allstrt=WEST+++57+STREET&allnumbhous=161) are demo related (filed in Feb. '07). Nothing for a New Building there, either.

londonlawyer

February 11th, 2007, 12:52 AM

lofter1

February 11th, 2007, 01:47 AM

Not a clue ---

But you can do some math:

It encompasses four lots from 155 - 161 W. 57th. If those lots are 25' wide then it will have 100' of frontage on W. 57th. If each is a single lot deep then the plot will be 100' x 100' = 10,000 sf.

Zoning MAP (http://www.nyc.gov/html/dcp/pdf/zone/map8c.pdf) shows that it is zoned C5-3 along W. 57th.

According to the Zoning Data Tables (http://home2.nyc.gov/html/dcp/pdf/zone/zh_tables.pdf) (ZDT) a C5-3 designation allows a Residential FAR of 10.0 (but that can be increased to FAR 15.0 with the inclusion of a "commercial facility" -- whatever that might be).

So 10,000 sf x FAR 10 = 100,000 sf.

If this plot goes through to W. 58th then the map shows that along W. 58th the lots are zoned C5-1.

The ZDT shows that a C5-1 also allows a Residential FAR of 10.0

Each lot is ~ 25' x 100', so add another 25,000 sf for each lot along W. 58th.

Then you have to add into that whatever bonuses might be available, whatever air rights might have been purchased and who knows what else.

OK -- now you can do some math and tell me how big it can be :cool: .

Thanks ;)

***

telebob

February 11th, 2007, 02:43 PM

looks like their view looking to the park will be impacted by this new building. This is the third or second time they got screwed.Commercial building next door got some of them .
Forgot the name its the one Clinton was supposed to get an office in.
maybe the third shaft because i think City Spire was the second.They got the ones looking South.
btw you talk about FAR but how did Metropilitan Tower get so big in the first place ? It has a decent size footprint but not huge.

lofter1

February 11th, 2007, 03:20 PM

FAR, fo the most part, is still a mystery to me.

If I could figure it out I could earn big bucks like the pros who navigate DOB and City Planning for developers :cool: .

Metropolitan Tower has that plaza on 56th, right? Whatever that did to minimize the foot print would allow them to go that much higher.

londonlawyer

February 12th, 2007, 12:16 PM

I speculate that a top foreign hotel will be included in this project such as Shangri-La or Taj.

londonlawyer

February 13th, 2007, 08:26 PM

The following is from Shangri-La's website:

Shangri-La Appoints Brian Windle Vice President Sales And Marketing, North America

Shangri-La Hotels and Resorts, Asia Pacific’s leading luxury hotel group, has appointed Brian Windle vice president sales and marketing, North America. Mr. Windle will assume this newly created, New York-based position June 1, 2007, reporting directly to Chief Marketing Officer Martin F. Waechter.

Mr. Windle will be responsible for North America inbound and outbound sales and marketing including distribution channel development; loyalty and partner marketing; revenue generation of Shangri-La’s New York and Los Angeles regional sales offices; and successful marketing launches of Shangri-La hotels opening in Chicago, Miami, Las Vegas, Vancouver, Toronto and others soon to be announced.

Derek2k3

March 16th, 2007, 09:51 PM

Promising news posted by londonlawyer in the 400 PAS thread. A couple months ago I was thinking that Extell would develop the two sites they own on 57th Street with two towers with a common theme and design, sort of like the Ariels, but better of course....looks like I could be right.

It would be AWESOME if Extell hires Portzamparc for his two sites on 57th Street. I googled that and the CV of Renaud Magnaval, an architect who works for Portzamparc, came up. It indicates that he participated in design work in 2006 on two towers: one 57th Street which was about 815 feet and one on 58th which was about 937 feet. Either of these could be the Extell sites, both of which run through the block from 57th to 58th.

http://www.aiany.org/services/resumes/162/renaudmagnaval.pdf

57th Street HIGH RISE/ 58th Street HIGH RISE , Conceptual Design for two High rise towers, New York City, 2006 (postponed).

Program: 57 Street Tower: 722,000 SQFT of Residential, Height 815’

Program: 58 Street Tower: 975,000 SQFT of Short/long term hotel and residential, Height 937’

Assistant Project Manager, New York City office to assist the design Paris team
Worked on: apartment layout, presentations to the client. Collaboration with Michael Parley (zoning consultant).

There is no singular through block site on 57th/58th Street that can produce nearly 2 msf. of development and no NY developer would take that supposed site and develop it into two residential towers, it'd be a massive office building. Thus, these have to be two separate sites.

These generally follows the same square footages and programs of the two planned Extell along 57th/58th streets and coincidentally Extell recently hired Portzamparc for Riverside South, thus I'm conviced these are the same projects.

I'll assume the 58th Street tower is the former old Hard Rock Café. Extell owns the property at 221 W. 57th St., which consists of two buildings that lie back-to-back north to south. He also has a bunch of air-rights for the site.

The 57th Street tower, I'm guessing is this thread right here. I could have it backwards since both sites would have frontages on 57th and 58th.

antinimby

March 16th, 2007, 10:21 PM

Well that's gotta be a first: peering into someone's résumé for development news. :D

antinimby

March 16th, 2007, 11:56 PM

So if Portzamparc was hired to do these two projects, how does Frank Williams fit into all this?

http://www.archfwa.com/files/project_images/Intell03.jpg

http://www.archfwa.com/files/project_images/Intell01.jpg

londonlawyer

March 17th, 2007, 12:09 AM

Promising news posted by londonlawyer in the 400 PAS thread....

http://www.aiany.org/services/resumes/162/renaudmagnaval.pdf

57th Street HIGH RISE/ 58th Street HIGH RISE , Conceptual Design for two High rise towers, New York City, 2006 (postponed).

Program: 57 Street Tower: 722,000 SQFT of Residential, Height 815’

Program: 58 Street Tower: 975,000 SQFT of Short/long term hotel and residential, Height 937’

Assistant Project Manager, New York City office to assist the design Paris team
Worked on: apartment layout, presentations to the client. Collaboration with Michael Parley (zoning consultant).

I think that there's a good chance that we will get two utterly amazing towers on these sites!

Derek2k3

March 17th, 2007, 12:38 AM

So if Portzamparc was hired to do these two projects, how does Frank Williams fit into all this?

Well according to the project sheet, Frank Williams' design was completed 2001. The tower was probably postponed and Extell is now starting over with Portzamparc.

antinimby

March 17th, 2007, 02:27 PM

I don't know...

While I am happy that Extell decided to go with Portzamparc (instead of a Kondylis or Cetra Ruddy), I would have like to see Frank Williams do one of the towers.

Gives us a variety of style, you know?

Derek2k3

March 17th, 2007, 04:13 PM

Well imagine what the Central Park South skyline would look like if 3 stunning glass towers went up on 3 separate block fronts, each being their owns tallest. A 900'+ tower would top out half way between Cityspire and the top of the pic, an 800'+ tower would block out the Cityspire cluster and then some, and 220 CPS would actually appear taller than Hearst.

http://farm1.static.flickr.com/158/424260012_e1c49db6d3_b.jpg
.................................................. .......^
Hopefully none of these turn out grounded and bloated like this woman's behind.

Extell Tower
147-161 West 57th Street
815'
Christian de Portzamparc
Extell Development Corporation
Residential
722,000 Sq. Ft.
Proposed

Former Hard Rock Café Site
217-223 West 57th Street
937 feet
Christian de Portzamparc
Extell Development Corporation
975,000 Sq. Ft.
Mixed-Use (Residential & Hotel)
Proposed

220 Central Park South
41 stories 507 feet (DOB)
Pelli Clarke Pelli Architects
The Clarett Group
Residential Condominium
79 units 242,232 Sq. Ft.
Proposed

antinimby

March 17th, 2007, 05:20 PM

I'm just hoping they'll turn out at all. We all know how infrequently we get 800+ footers in this city, so I'm keeping my fingers crossed.

Anyway, I am confident in these two firms, so we're not going to get anything scary.

I was really hoping the Hard Rock one wouldn't be where it would block out the Cityspire/Metropolitan/Carnegie trio but instead fill in one of the other "openings" in the skyline, but hey, we'll take it anywhere we can.

londonlawyer

March 17th, 2007, 05:31 PM

Derek2k3

March 17th, 2007, 08:42 PM

pianoman11686

March 18th, 2007, 12:43 PM

Even today, that skyline is pretty amazing. I can't wait to see how these new towers will add to it.

lofter1

March 18th, 2007, 11:38 PM

The one in the pic above that needs to be blocked out is the fugly bluish-greenish stripey L-shaped thing on the NW corner of 56th & 7th Avenue.

NoyokA

March 19th, 2007, 12:07 AM

Just a guess, based on the Hard Rock cafe site seems like it would have more frontage on 58th.

It could just as well be the other way around. Frank Williams' design for the site across from Carnegie was a mix of hotel & residences just as the 58 Street Tower is noted in the resume'....and as you said that site does seem larger.

Lastly it would also fall more in line with what pagh posted...

"This is coming down and 80 stories are going up, should be finished in 2 1/2 years. It's going to be the biggest condo in nyc having commercial section in lower part of building. It's going to tower well above the buildings on Central Park South so it will have great views. They [the developers] have a permit for 1000 ft."

Derek where is this quote from? I am getting really excited about the prospect of these heights in midtown, anywhere else I wouldn't allow myself to get excited, but there arent as many NIMBY's in midtown, so things can get done there, occasionally. Hopefully the umbrellea's don't go marching to Central Park and we won't get a 750 foot ceiling here as had happened at Columbus Circle.

Also Christian de Portzamparc is one of my all-time favorite architects, I know he will come up with a faceded crystaline shard, which would help NYC's architectural reputation and would hopefully create a great composition with the Hearst Tower nearby.

Lastly at this height it would add a much needed peak in this part of midtown, Safdie's Columbus Circle design would have done this. It's possible we'll be getting just that here, if I remember correctly Safdie's proposal had one tower around 815 and the other around 925. Maybe like Safdie's Columbus Circle; Extell and de Portzamparc are planning on a certain architectural interplay as well.

http://cac.mcgill.ca/safdie/finalImages/Ms088s03.jpg

http://cac.mcgill.ca/safdie/finalImages/Ms088s04.jpg

lofter1

March 19th, 2007, 12:59 AM

A brutal mass of concrete ^^^ whose height would not have been worth it.

NoyokA

March 19th, 2007, 01:42 AM

A brutal mass of concrete ^^^ whose height would not have been worth it.

I wasn't a big fan of Safdie's design either, he's one of my favorite architects today only because of an incredible transformation he has made in recent years. I only made the comparrison because of the possible similarities of height and general location as well as an architectural interplay, I'm sure de Portzamparc won't disapoint.

ramvid01

March 19th, 2007, 01:42 AM

A brutal mass of concrete ^^^ whose height would not have been worth it.

Agreed. After paging through the pictures in Sterns New York 2000 book, it was quite clear to me that Safies proposal would have been a bad idea. Too brutalist, and too much concrete. Bleh.

lofter1

April 28th, 2007, 02:36 AM

On my way to see John Adams (http://simple.wikipedia.org/wiki/John_Adams_(composer)) conduct his own works with the American Composers Orchestra (http://www.americancomposers.org/rel20070427.html)at Carnegie Hall ...

http://i130.photobucket.com/albums/p242/Lofter1/Midtown/CH_Adams_01b.jpg

... I took some pics of the Extell site -- where they've cleared the buildings along W. 58th (the buildings along W. 57th that will come down are shrouded in construction netting) ...

http://i130.photobucket.com/albums/p242/Lofter1/Midtown/ExtellW57_01b.jpg

http://i130.photobucket.com/albums/p242/Lofter1/Midtown/ExtellW57_01d.jpg

http://i130.photobucket.com/albums/p242/Lofter1/Midtown/ExtellW57_01e.jpg

http://i130.photobucket.com/albums/p242/Lofter1/Midtown/ExtellW57_01f.jpg

http://i130.photobucket.com/albums/p242/Lofter1/Midtown/ExtellW57_01g.jpg

http://i130.photobucket.com/albums/p242/Lofter1/Midtown/ExtellW57_01a.jpg

lofter1

April 28th, 2007, 02:43 AM

lofter1

April 28th, 2007, 02:49 AM

There was an insert in tonight's Carnegie Hall program that Composer / Cellist Mstislav Rostropovich (http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Mstislav_Rostropovich) died today at the age of 80 ...

Rostropovich at the Berlin Wall (1989)

http://upload.wikimedia.org/wikipedia/en/3/3a/Rostropovich_at_the_Wall.jpg

NY TIMES / REUTERS (http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Image:Rostropovich_at_the_Wall.jpg)

londonlawyer

April 28th, 2007, 02:55 AM

The John Adams (http://www.boosey.com/pages/cr/composer/composer_main.asp?composerid=2778) presentation was terrific, particularly his Violin Concerto (http://www.boosey.com/pages/cr/catalogue/cat_detail.asp?musicid=7355) featuring soloist Leila Josefowicz (http://www.leilajosefowicz.com/) -- who totally rocked Carnegie Hall ...

http://www.sinfonietta.nl/s/d/sinf/image.php?s29i204

http://www.leilajosefowicz.com/images/photo_leila5_large.jpg

In this words of Borat, "She very naaahce!"
http://www.tonyspencer.com/mt/archives/borat.jpg

On a serious note, I can't wait to see the specs for this tower. I predict that it will be a masterpiece by Portzamparc and will rise at least 800 feet. I also can't wait to see what Extell does with the Hard Rock site.

lofter1

April 28th, 2007, 08:38 AM

londonlawyer: How come I KNEW you would take a liking to Leila ? ;)

londonlawyer

April 28th, 2007, 08:50 AM

londonlawyer: How come I KNEW you would take a liking to Leila ? ;)

I am predictable! She is the hottest woman to pass through Carnegie Hall since Renee Flemming and Anna Netrebko. I am waiting for the latter, in particular, to perform Salome.

http://www.soundofholiday.de/index.media.fa478545b38888829742fe38cd77a351.jpg

stache

April 28th, 2007, 09:16 AM

but the bracelets are a mite pushy!

londonlawyer

April 28th, 2007, 12:04 PM

but the bracelets are a mite pushy!

Funny!

telebob

May 9th, 2007, 03:26 AM

folks cant be happy. They will lose their central park view.
how much % does a condo with a park view lose when the view is gone ?

as to the Safdie's columbus circle proposal i like the time warner center design better.

krulltime

May 15th, 2007, 08:59 AM

START-UP AT CARNEGIE SITE
EXTELL BEGINS WORK ON TOWER ON NORTH SIDE OF W. 57TH STREET

By STEVE CUOZZO
May 15, 2007

THE roar of jackhammers across from Carnegie Hall is sweet music to developer Gary Barnett's ears.

Barnett's prolific Extell Development Corp. has finally started work on one of the city's most-watched sites - a colossal, six-building assemblage on the north side of West 57th Street across from Carnegie Hall.

Barnett said yesterday the project will be "at least 50 stories" with "north of 500,000 square feet." Though plans aren't final, "We're looking forward to doing a five-star hotel at the base and above it, condos with Central Park views."

Extell filed demolition plans with the Buildings Department this month. The takedown has begun behind a shroud of black netting. Barnett said actual construction should start this year, even though certain aspects of the project - including choice of architect and hotel operator - have yet to be finalized.

A gratified Barnett said, "It's taken me nine years to put it together." The site includes all the buildings from 147-161 West 57th and air rights from adjacent properties.

With 150 feet of sidewalk frontage, Extell's is the largest of several building sites on the block between Sixth and Seventh avenues. The company also owns the former Hard Rock Café. Barnett said, "We're not sure yet what we'll do there - it might be offices."

Copyright 2007 NYP Holdings, Inc.

londonlawyer

May 15th, 2007, 11:13 AM

antinimby

May 15th, 2007, 04:03 PM

If something like Orion rises on this site, I'll officially give up on NY.I've heard you say that before. :D

I warned you (and others) never to get too excited about anything in this city until you actually see it rise (and in some instances, when it has topped out and finished).

We've been around too long and let down way too many times to fall for rumors, promises, feel good news releases/articles.

The fact is, this city will only get uglier with time, with an occasional looker coming onto the scene, but they will be far and few in between.

This is a city (especially in recent history) that is only concerned about the size and height of new buildings, never their appearance--unless of course the height or size is large, in which case, their appearance will then be used as an argument against them.

For instance, if the Chicago Spire were to be proposed in NY, then you know everyone would be out protesting it on the grounds that it is too large, too out-of-context, an eyesore and will forever destroy the city's character.

On the other end, with customers ready to snatch up anything they throw up, there really isn't any incentives to create something particularly nice or beautiful.

You'd only have to see the new proposals for other cities, literally all over the world to see how low-grade and uninspiring the new projects in this city are.

sfenn1117

May 15th, 2007, 04:14 PM

Well on a place like SSP of course you're only going to see the best of the best....but even Chicago is dealing with some new eyesores, and the loss of some historic buildings. Some incredible projects might be coming out of China, but they are also still building identical commie blocks. And Dubai, well, that place is just going to end up looking like a fantasy land instead of a respectable city.

I have faith in Extell, he is committed to putting something spectacular on this site that he has assembled over a decade.....he's one of a few developers who's proud of his work.

antinimby

May 15th, 2007, 04:18 PM

sfenn, you're still young and have plenty of youthful enthusiasm left but eventually, this city will bring your spirits down just like it has with the rest of us. :D ;)

londonlawyer

May 15th, 2007, 04:39 PM

http://www.soundofholiday.de/index.media.fa478545b38888829742fe38cd77a351.jpg:)

londonlawyer

August 17th, 2007, 01:24 PM

All of the buildings for this project (with the exception of the small hotel on 58th) have been razed. Oddly, however, the DOB's website does not indicate what will rise here.

I wonder if Extell will proceed with Frank Williams' tower.

stache

August 17th, 2007, 08:51 PM

I think people are taking a pause to see what the economy does.

londonlawyer

August 18th, 2007, 06:35 AM

I think people are taking a pause to see what the economy does.

That might hold true with projects at earlier stages, such as The Drake or Extell's Hard Rock site, but this one seems too far along for Extell to simply not proceed. Also, since the dollar is so low, wealthy overseas buyers will still have great demand for these units.

lofter1

August 18th, 2007, 10:46 AM

Or ....

Perhaps -- if things turn really dark and nasty -- some of these recently-cleared sites will become Parking Lots.

No doubt NYers are starting to yearn for a few expanses of asphalt since so many have been lost to new development over recent years ;) .

Front_Porch

August 21st, 2007, 04:57 PM

They paved paradise and put up a . . .

ali r.
{downtown broker}

londonlawyer

November 21st, 2007, 01:40 AM

I wonder if Extell is trying to sell this site. Everything has been razed and they started excavation. However, work has since stopped, and nothing is occurring at this site.

I honestly wonder if Barnett overstretched himself. Nothing is occurring at the Hardrock site, nor at the West 45th hotel site. Is anything happening at the Diamond Tower at the moment?

Extell has sold a few sites recently (e.g., the one between 2d and 1St Aves. and the Moondance Diner site). Can 157 West 57th St. be the next to go?

MidtownApt

November 27th, 2007, 11:10 PM

The site would make a great parking lot. Or extension of the mid-block walkways between 6th & 7th Avenues that run from 51st Street to 57th Street. But I doubt Extell has lost interest. They started assembling this site a decade ago. A 2-month catch-your-breath pause after demo is nothing.

aluminumgroup

December 4th, 2007, 05:39 PM

from today's nypost:
"Meanwhile, Extell is pressing ahead on two Midtown hotel schemes. The larger one is 151-161 W. 57th Street, a vast assemblage across from Carnegie Hall stretching to West 58th Street.
Demolition is complete and Barnett said excavation will start in a few months for a tower of "at least 50 stories, probably one-third hotel and high-end condos on top of it."

He said he's in advanced talks with a "5-star" hotel operator not currently in New York. He wouldn't divulge the name, but Extell is believed to have talked with Singapore-based Amanresorts, Milan-based Armani Group and Bulgari Hotel Co., a joint venture of Bulgari and Marriott International. Extell has also filed plans with the Buildings Dept. for a 55-story hotel/condo tower at 135 W. 45th St., next door to the funky QT Hotel."

http://www.nypost.com/seven/12042007/business/lt_to_starrett_lehigh_677413.htm

londonlawyer

January 6th, 2008, 12:48 AM

I would not be surprised if Gershon Barnett has run out of funds and is trying to sell some assets since nothing is happening here or at the old Hard Rock site.

aluminumgroup

August 28th, 2008, 02:59 PM

From Real Deal (http://ny.therealdeal.com/articles/midtown-projects-remain-stuck)
Updated On 08/26/08 at 09:11AM
"Several big Midtown projects have yet to get going, as big undeveloped sites sit awaiting construction. Macklowe Properties demolished the old Drake Hotel at Park Avenue and 56th Street two years ago, but hasn't started building 440 Park Avenue yet. Extell still hasn't filed plans for its West 57th and 58th Street project, which was supposed to be a 50-story hotel-condo. Starwood Capital cleared a low-rise fur shop between the Economist building and the Buckingham Hotel; plans for a Crillon hotel haven't been realized. The Tribeach development site on Eighth Avenue's west side between 46th and 47th streets could be sold."

So it looks like nothing is happening soon at the site across from Carnegie Hall. This is one expensive dirt lot. Wondering if it will really be only 50 stories once it does go up....folks at Carnegie Hall Towers and Metropolitan Tower will be bumming if it goes taller.

Derek2k3

September 3rd, 2008, 06:15 AM

I hope CdeP will still be the architect of these towers. I would kill to see renderings of them.
The second tower seems to be the Hard Rock cafe site at 217-223 West 57th Street.

http://farm4.static.flickr.com/3125/2824639214_f0dfd96a1d_o.jpg
http://www.chdeportzamparc.com/

londonlawyer

September 3rd, 2008, 11:37 AM

I agree with you!

lofter1

October 8th, 2008, 02:24 PM

Nothing is showing up on the www.ExtellDev.com (http://www.ExtellDev.com) website, but in this week's Sunday NY TImes Key Magazine (Fall 2008) the opening SIX pages are ads for Extell, and the final TWO Pages show a panaramic vista looking norht over Central Park with the words:

IN 2009, EXTELL WILL UNVEIL ITS FLAGSHIP HOTEL AND RESIDENTIAL TOWER ON 57TH STREET
THAT WILL FOREVER TRANSFORM THE SKYLINE OF MANHATTAN. UNTIL THEN, OUR LIPS ARE SEALED.

***

londonlawyer

October 8th, 2008, 03:36 PM

Thanks for the update, Lofter.

I saw the Extell ad in the Sunday Times' quarterly real estate magazine but missed that portion about the 2009 unveiling.

It would not totally surprise me if Extell did proceed with a project now. He seems to have an unusual ability to get funding. For example, who on earth would fund a speculative office building on 47th Street, and yet the Diamond Tower is rising. Also, as far as I know, his hotel on 46th Street and 366 10th Avenue are going forward.

By the way, I saw something on Portzamparc's website about a hotel/condo in NYC. (There were no pictures though.)

antinimby

October 10th, 2008, 10:56 AM

THAT WILL FOREVER TRANSFORM THE SKYLINE OF MANHATTAN.I don't know about you guys but this part of the quote is getting me excited. I'm gettin' the handcream now...

londonlawyer

October 10th, 2008, 03:38 PM

I agree.

PS: Great comment re: the cream!

londonlawyer

November 23rd, 2008, 12:02 AM

Thanks for the update, Lofter.

I saw the Extell ad in the Sunday Times' quarterly real estate magazine but missed that portion about the 2009 unveiling....
By the way, I saw something on Portzamparc's website about a hotel/condo in NYC. (There were no pictures though.)

de Portzamparc's website lists two towers: one is 937 feet tall and the other is 815. I assume that these relate to the Carnegie Hall and Hard Rock sites, respectively.

londonlawyer

November 25th, 2008, 10:15 PM

From curbed.com on 11-25-08:

How Do You Get To Extell's Pit? Practice, Practice, Practice!

Though it's not the most gripping of updates, Steve Cuozzo's bit on megadevloper Extell's huge empty pit on West 57th Street—across the street from Carnegie Hall—has us absolutely giddy:

At Gary Barnett's development site across from Carnegie Hall, his Extell just filed with the Buildings Dept. for "exploratory excavation to determine the depth, type and condition of foundations at adjacent buildings . . . in preparation of proposed new building."

That building is supposed to be a hotel/condo of up to 50 stories, Barnett told us earlier this year.

We've been waiting to run that friggin' photo ever since we took it from inside the model unit in the Essex House seven months ago, we just needed one bit of news to finally get it off our hard drive. Thanks Steve Cuozzo for this Christmas miracle!
· Realty Check [NYP; second item]

londonlawyer

December 2nd, 2008, 10:59 AM

LUXURY HOTEL TO RISE ON 57TH ST.

December 2, 2008

A 1,000 foot-tall hotel and condo tower is coming to Extell's West 57th Street development site that's now a giant hole in the ground.

That's according to the company hired to provide "physical and electronic security" for Gary Barnett's project. Aren't security firms supposed to keep secrets secure?

Louisville, Ky.-based Aegis Security Design claims the tower diagonally across from Carnegie Hall will house a "5-star" Park Hyatt Hotel, stores and luxury condos.

Extell hired Aegis to provide security-related services for the project that will run from 151-161 W. 57th St., on a site that extends all the way through to 58th Street.

Extell spokesman George Arzt said yesterday: "No details have been finalized or resolved. Aegis is only a consultant on the project."

But Aegis says it's "contracted with Extell to provide risk assessment, security programming, system design and construction administration services" on 57th Street.

Its Web site says Extell's tower will be LEED-certified and rise to as many as 80 stories. The hotel, stores and a garage will take up 356,467 square feet of a total 882,141 square feet, with condos above the hotel.

The hotel will boast a "spa, pool area, ballroom and meeting rooms," and "the lobby may contain an atrium."

Ever since Barnett started gobbling up land on West 57th and 58th streets between Sixth and Seventh avenues a few years ago, what he'll build has transfixed Midtown-watchers.

The vast site - directly across from Metropolitan Tower and the Russian Tea Room - has been a crater since old buildings were demolished. Last winter, Barnett told us he'd probably do a "5-star" hotel of some sort rising up to 50 stories.

Extell later fell silent. But now, Aegis appears to have let the cat out of the crater.

Sources said Extell is conferring with city agencies - possibly for zoning variances related to air rights purchases, and for landmarks-related approvals. The site is next door to two designated landmarks: the former CAMI Hall at 163-165 W. 57th St. and Alwyn Court on West 58th.

We don't usually reveal how we get our scoops, but this one started with our item last week reporting that Extell had filed with the Buildings De partment to study surrounding foun dations in prep aration for a new building.

Curbed.com picked up the item and ran it with an aerial photo of the pit, which drew an anonymous comment stating that the project would include a Park Hyatt. It didn't take Watergate-style sleuthing to check it out. Aegis officials did not return our calls.

steve.cuozzo@nypost.com

NYC4Life

December 2nd, 2008, 05:00 PM

Yet, another 1,000 footer to rise.

londonlawyer

December 5th, 2008, 10:45 PM

Apparently, Extell was going to build a Grand Hyatt at the Javits Hotel site, and therefore, it seems that his relationship with that company may come to fruition at the Carnegie Hall site.

September 2007
Major players gobble up sites in Hudson Yards

By Lauren Elkies

Development of the Hudson Yards area is still in its infancy, but big builders have been amassing large swaths of land on the far West Side with plans to infuse the area with major residential and commercial projects....

Moinian, Extell and Texas-based Faulkner USA are all jockeying for the right to develop the Javits hotel project.....

Barnett of Extell said that his company has proposed a 70-story-plus "iconic" Hyatt hotel with a more luxurious Grand Hyatt at the top, separated by a sky lobby.
The hotel market is faring well in the city, and if most hotels stay small and offer limited services, they will be easy to run and profitable on the far West Side, said Eric Anton, an executive director at Eastern Consolidated.

Extell is also including a hotel in its project at 31st Street and 10th Avenue. Prolific hotelier McSam Hotel Group, meanwhile, bought four parcels of land on West 38th and 39th Streets.

"Everyone's talking hotel, hotel, hotel, hotel," Anton said.

lofter1

December 5th, 2008, 11:06 PM

And what are they talking now, one year later?

londonlawyer

December 5th, 2008, 11:11 PM

Supposedly, Grand Hyatt will occupy the Carnegie Hall site rather than the Javits Hotel site which is dead.

Notwithstanding the economy, I would not be surprised to see this project move forward. Barnett seems to have money. (He probably has shady, underworld friends who are looking to launder money or to put it in "safe" places before Putin seizes it.)

lofter1

December 6th, 2008, 12:25 AM

The other Extell hotel site down at 68 Chalton Street in Hudson Square is now completely cleared and ready for excavation.

londonlawyer

December 6th, 2008, 01:03 AM

It seems that Extell is holding off on many projects (e.g., the W 45th St. hotel, the Diamond Tower, the Hard Rock site, the 10th Ave. site near the Yards, etc.). However, it seems to have money, and I suspect that it will proceed with the Carnegie Hall site.

antinimby

December 31st, 2008, 10:41 AM

From the NY Post (http://www.nypost.com/seven/12302008/business/filling_in_the_blanks_146436.htm) yesterday...

http://www.nypost.com/img/cols/stevecuozzo.jpg
http://www.nypost.com/img/sl/realtycheck.gif

EXTELL'S ABYSS: Gary Barnett's company has more than one empty pit to ponder. But most visible is the one on West 57th Street across from Carnegie Hall. Although Extell faces a challenge getting a construction loan, it seems determined to build, and recently filed with the Buildings Dept. to do exploratory excavation.

The project, according to a Kentucky-based securities firm hired by Extell, is to be an 882,000 square-foot tower rising to 1,000 feet and anchored by a Park Hyatt Hotel.

Not surprisingly, the description was yanked from Aegis Security Design's Web site as soon as we wrote about it.

But let's hope the plans stand - and that they get done.

Copyright 2008 NYP Holdings, Inc.

londonlawyer

January 2nd, 2009, 05:32 PM

January 2009
Extell plows ahead

Will Gary Barnett be the last man standing in New York real estate?

By David Jones

Three years ago, an up-and-coming real estate firm called Extell Development Company was denied the right to develop the controversial Atlantic Yards site, despite outbidding rival Forest City Ratner by $100 million.

Now, the world has completely changed for both companies, with fortunes rising for one and falling for the other. The credit crisis has halted the $6 billion Atlantic Yards project in Brooklyn for Forest City Ratner, while Extell has emerged as the most active developer in the rehabilitation of Manhattan's West Side. If Extell's chief executive Gary Barnett is accurate, when the market finally reaches bottom in the near future, he might emerge as one of the last men standing in New York City real estate.

"In most of our completed projects, we don't owe the banks a dollar," said Barnett. "We are not under pressure to sell, and have a lot more flexibility to [ride out] today's market."

On Jan. 8, the New York City Department of Planning is scheduled to begin public debate over the latest plans to expand Extell's Riverside South project. The so-called Riverside Center project, located on Riverside Boulevard between West 59th and 61st streets, would include five mixed-use high-rises; 617,000 square feet of commercial space (including a cinema, automobile showroom, hotel and retail); a public school; 1,800 parking spaces; and 3.8 acres of privately owned park space that would be accessible to the public.

The plan has run into fierce opposition on the Upper West Side, as political leaders and planning advocates argue the site would overwhelm the area's infrastructure. Barnett argues that he has strongly considered the site's environmental impact.

"In terms of the density, we really have been very modest in our desires," Barnett told The Real Deal in an interview. "I think our project is very sensitive to urban development and will not put a strain on the infrastructure."

Given the realities of the economic environment and the lengthy Uniform Land Use Review Procedure (ULURP) process at the Department of Planning, Extell estimated the project would not be completed until 2018.

Still, that is not stopping the opposition from organizing now.

"Nobody should lay down arms on the presumption that the project isn't going to get built because of the economy," said Micah Lasher, an aide to Congressman Jerrold Nadler.

Jonathan Miller, president of Manhattan-based appraisal firm Miller Samuel, said that Extell's vision for the West Side would likely be realized only after a deep and lasting economic downturn, which has yet to fully play out.

"I would assume this is a long-term view because of the lack of financing and the number of units that would need to be absorbed by a market that is constrained by tighter credit and a recession," said Miller.

However, other observers say that if anybody can pull this off, it will be Barnett.

"I think Gary gets to go ahead, first of all, because he's got a lot of unique locations," said attorney Carl Schwartz, chairman of the real estate department at Herrick Feinstein, who has represented Extell on several projects. "He also has great relationships with his lenders."

Based on the current state of the market, Barnett's relationships with his lenders are not just "great"; to some, they defy reality. He has some of the biggest names in the world backing his projects, and even small community banks that won't touch other projects are working with him.

In June, Extell, the Carlyle Group and RREFF, the alternative investment unit at Deutsche Bank, were able to secure a $613 million construction loan for two of Extell's luxury towers at Riverside South, marking it the largest construction loan in the country last year.

Deutsche Bank led a consortium of nine banks that syndicated the deal for the two buildings, which will be located at West 62nd and West 63rd streets, between Riverside Boulevard and Freedom Place South, a new street. The 38-story tower will have a mix of condo and rental apartments, while the 23-story building will have just rental units.

"We do have a very good reputation in the banking community for delivering what we say we are going to deliver," said Barnett. "They feel comfortable that when they give us money, we're going to put it to good use.

"If you don't deliver the product you promise, there's always the chance people can't close on the units," he continued. "The days of the easy money financing on Wall Street are over."

Last month, Barnett was able to secure financing for another one of his new condominium projects at 535 West End Avenue. Bank of America, Helaba Bank, Capital One and New York Community Bank agreed to finance a two-year, $135 million construction loan for the 27-unit condominium.

As The Real Deal previously reported, the developer is being asked to put up 40 percent in equity.

Apparently betting that the proposed Hudson Yards development on the far West Side remains viable, Extell has also announced plans for a 60-story office tower called the World Product Centre, which would operate as a merchandise mart for the medical industry. Estimates of the tower's cost range from $500 million to $1 billion; however, financing for this project has not been announced.

Extell is working with the Greater New York Hospital Association and an investor named Israel Green on the former Copacabana site at 11th Avenue and 33rd Street, which is scheduled for completion by 2013.

Officials said they plan to find at least two anchor tenants to commit to 10-year leases at the site, but it remains unclear whether the development has any chance of reaching fruition, or if this is just another political stake being driven into the ground with the intention of keeping the Hudson Yards plan viable.

Schwartz, who said the economic downturn is just beginning and believes that recovery is several years away, argues that this is "a really good time" to be positioning properties for development for the next up cycle. "We've been encouraging a number of our clients to do exactly that," Schwartz said.

Residential success

Barnett, who has developed buildings from the Stanhope, at 995 Fifth Avenue, to the Avery, at 100 Riverside Boulevard, has been widely praised for his ability to market and sell luxury condominiums. Since transitioning from the diamond business into real estate during the 1990s, his buildings have won acclaim from his colleagues and competitors in the real estate industry and gained the confidence of the banking industry.

"They were lucky enough to sell out most of their buildings," said attorney Ed Mermelstein. "Timing-wise, a lot of things fell into place for them, as opposed to some of these other developers."

Debra Shultz, director and senior mortgage consultant at Manhattan Mortgage, is the preferred mortgage broker at both the Avery and the Rushmore, two of Extell's luxury condominiums on Riverside Boulevard. She said Extell has been very accommodating with her clients, particularly those who are having trouble with financing in the current economic environment.

"They've been very proactive in this market," said Shultz. "They've been fair when buyers need short extensions to solidify their financing, [and] the properties I've worked on have all appraised at value, or higher."

Shultz said one buyer at the Avery is having some difficulty with financing because he only has a 25 percent down payment on a $6.2 million deal at the building.

The buyer is combining three units.

"He didn't explore his options prior to going to contract over a year ago," Schultz recalls. "He was referred to me a few days ago because his current financing option seemed to be falling through."

Schultz said she has two possible financing options for the client, but the lenders want proof that he would have enough liquid assets to cover 24 months of mortgage payments and a $2 million net worth after he closes.

It's certainly a financing environment that gives many developers white knuckles. Veteran players like Maurice Mann at the Apthorp and Kent Swig at 25 Broad made risky bets on high-end properties at the height of the market, and now are swimming upstream against the tide. Thus far, it appears that Barnett has been able to withstand the tide.

"He's a pretty bold man," said Louise Phillips Forbes, executive vice president at Halstead Property, "I don't know many people who have taken on the diverse amount of projects he has taken on and been able to be successful."

Barnett is not without his detractors, which include community groups, building residents and fellow real estate moguls.

In a third attempt to derail the Riverside South project, rival developer Donald Trump filed suit in October, alleging that Extell and the Carlyle Group engineered an illegal purchase of his 77-acre site on the West Side.

The suit, filed in New York State Supreme Court, claims that $16.5 million was transferred to the Cheng Group, Trump's partner in the deal, in order to influence the $1.76 billion purchase of the property.

Barnett denied that there was anything illegal or improper about the deal and characterized the suit as Trump trying to revive a dead issue.

"If you've gotten anywhere near Donald Trump and you haven't been sued, you're doing something wrong," said Barnett. "It's just Donald being Donald."

A June 2008 suit filed in New York State Supreme Court by the condo board at 45 Walker Street alleges that Extell developed a seven-story condominium with hundreds of thousands of dollars in construction defects, including missing fireproofing in the ceiling, hot water pipes without insulation, numerous electrical code violations and an open sewage pit at the building.

According to court records, the $19.45 million condominium includes six apartments that were priced at $2.75 to $3.75 million. The offering plan was originally filed with the state Attorney General's office in February 2001, and the lawsuit alleges that Extell failed to obtain a permanent certificate of occupancy, and failed to provide detailed expense records and annual reports, which are required under the Martin Act that governs co-op and condominium conversions in New York.

Kenneth Glassman, attorney for the plaintiffs, said that Extell dumped more than a dozen boxes of records on his lap after the case went to court, but he is mystified as to why the company failed to maintain what he considers proper recordkeeping and maintenance on the building.

"The main problem is, if they give everything they have, and everything is proper in the end, why in the hell didn't they do it before we sued?" said Glassman. "This is not a mom-and-pop shop; this is a substantial real estate company."

Barnett says the company has given up management of the property and argues there is nothing in the allegations that rise to a legal matter.

"When we left [the building], it was in magnificent shape," he says. "There's certainly no basis for litigation."

Questions have been raised about alleged harassment of tenants and the company's finances, after sources said Extell tried to push out Latino tenants at the Westbourne, at 601-611 West 137th Street. In an effort to open up units to market-rate tenants, sources say that Extell reneged on promises made to local tenants and recently backed out of negotiated buyouts. Barnett says that the company may have spent too much money to upgrade the units and that tenants were demanding too high a price.

"We have renovated a number of apartments there," he said. "We have a tendency to over-renovate and over-beautify. We are leasing them up now even in today's market. We're not ready to do any large buyouts because there's no development upside there."

There are also other voices out there who question whether Extell can really deliver on everything it promises, from spectacular sellouts at its condo projects to on-time delivery of its commercial buildings.

In July, Extell boasted of $507 million in residential sales at its numerous condo projects, including claims that the Lucida and 212 East 47th Street were 90 percent sold out. At 535 West End Avenue, the developer claimed to have sold 40 percent of its units in 30 days.

Barnett told The Real Deal that banks remain comfortable with underwriting loans in his buildings, as the company has closed more than 800 condo and co-op units in the last year and a half.

However, Eric Anton, senior director at Eastern Consolidated, says that commercial banks are "terrified" of the prospects of approving loans right now and questions whether Extell, or any other developer, can withstand the rigors of the biggest market collapse in a generation.

"It seems, over the last year or so, they've been pulling rabbits out of a hat," said Anton. "I don't think anyone that's trying to sell a condo is having much success right now.

"At the moment, we're in hell."

Tectonic

January 2nd, 2009, 06:42 PM

Aren't they working on a hotel just somewhere between times square and 6th Ave. Can't remember the exact address.

londonlawyer

January 2nd, 2009, 09:42 PM

Yes. It's on 45th between 6th and 7th. I don't know if work has halted though.

lofter1

January 3rd, 2009, 01:19 AM

It seems that the 45th Street Extell project is waiting for the next wad of cash -- the foundation there is complete, but no work beyond that has taken place and the site looks locked up.

Tectonic

January 3rd, 2009, 04:41 AM

Any DOB info?

londonlawyer

January 3rd, 2009, 09:37 AM

Thanks for the update.

londonlawyer

February 27th, 2009, 06:51 PM

As per plans that Extell filed today, this building will be 953 feet tall.

See below:

http://a810-bisweb.nyc.gov/bisweb/JobsQueryByNumberServlet?requestid=2&passjobnumber=110463418&passdocnumber=01

P.S.: Costas is listed as the architect. Hopefully, he is just the architect of record and de Portzamparc is the true architect.

NoyokA

February 27th, 2009, 06:57 PM

Excellent height. Hopefully this gets approved. I know Extell is fairly liquid, I wonder if he'll be able to get financing for this.

londonlawyer

February 27th, 2009, 08:22 PM

I'll bet he can finance this.

He seems to have connections to huge sources of money.

NoyokA

February 27th, 2009, 10:31 PM

I'd gladly look over his alleged connections if it allows him to build a 950 foot Chrisitan de Portzamparc tower.

ablarc

February 28th, 2009, 09:59 AM

^ "look over" or "overlook" ?

NYatKNIGHT

February 28th, 2009, 11:27 AM

Not only still on track but hope remains for something special. Fingers crossed!

antinimby

February 28th, 2009, 01:55 PM

At 1.6 msf and 953 ft, it'll be chunky.

To use a few others as comparison, Gehry's Beekman is 867 ft at 1.1 msf and Silverstein's 99 Church is 912 ft at around 600K sf.

NoyokA

February 28th, 2009, 03:11 PM

^ "look over" or "overlook" ?

Obviously overlook. Thanks grammar police.

londonlawyer

February 28th, 2009, 03:38 PM

At 1.6 msf and 953 ft, it'll be chunky.

To use a few others as comparison, Gehry's Beekman is 867 ft at 1.1 msf and Silverstein's 99 Church is 912 ft at around 600K sf.

I merely glanced at the DOB entry posted above, but as per Paragraph 8, isn't it supposed to be 800,334 sq.ft.?

ablarc

February 28th, 2009, 03:41 PM

Obviously overlook. Thanks grammar police.
It's meaningful and grammatical either way. I was looking for your meaning, not correcting your grammar.

antinimby

February 28th, 2009, 04:25 PM

I merely glanced at the DOB entry posted above, but as per Paragraph 8, isn't it supposed to be 800,334 sq.ft.?I'm confused by the new format of those permits. Section 12 shows 1.6 msf. So which is the correct square footage?

Stroika

March 2nd, 2009, 06:39 PM

Hey guys,

Get ready for 1,000 feet of garbage on 57th! That's right, Gary Barnett (burn his name into your brain and let it live in infamy) is ordering a COSTAS SPECIAL.

http://www.observer.com/2009/real-estate/extell-files-plans-mammoth-midtown-tower
Extell Files Plans for Mammoth Midtown Tower
By Dana Rubinstein
March 2, 2009 | 3:44 p.m

Extell's Gary Barnett sure is keeping himself busy.

Last week, he disseminated nothing less than a manifesto to rescue the economy, and today, he filed plans with the Buildings Department for an 830,000-square-foot, Costas Kondylis-designed tower for the empty crater at 157 West 57th Street.

George Arzt, Extell's spokesman, said the tower would contain a hotel and a residential complex. If Extell's timing is right, the building might top off just as the economy begins its recovery, at some unknown and, frankly, unfathomable point in the future.

The New York Post's Steve Cuozzo first got wind of the hotel portion of the plans in December, by way, oddly enough, of a Web site belonging to Aegis Security Design, which, Mr. Cuozzo reported, "claims the tower diagonally across from Carnegie Hall will house a '5-star' Park Hyatt Hotel, stores and luxury condos."

The source for that story was an odd one because, as Mr. Cuozzo pointed out, "Aren't security firms supposed to keep secrets secure?"

Apparently, Extell agreed. Mr. Arzt tells us Aegis had signed a confidentiality agreement with the developer, and has since been axed.

Stroika

March 2nd, 2009, 06:52 PM

Sorry, LL, didn't see you scooped me by a few days! Saw the unveiling of Costas just now and assumed it was a hot piece of news -- clearly you were on top of it last week!

antinimby

March 2nd, 2009, 08:11 PM

Oh man, that is bad news. Especially if it's confirmed by an Extell spokesman.

If Kondylis was just an architect of record and not the actual design architect, the spokesperson would have made that known but since he didn't, I'm afraid Costas might be doing the design work.

Ugh.

Derek2k3

March 2nd, 2009, 08:51 PM

Doubt it.

NoyokA

March 2nd, 2009, 09:08 PM

The architect wasn't confirmed by an Extell spokesman. The spokesman only said the tower would be hotel and residential. The Post took the square footage and the architect from the DOB.

londonlawyer

March 2nd, 2009, 10:46 PM

The following appears on de Portzamparc's website:
http://farm4.static.flickr.com/3125/2824639214_f0dfd96a1d_o.jpg

Considering his relationship with Extell, I have every reason to believe that he has designed this tower.

antinimby

March 2nd, 2009, 10:51 PM

^ Note the year. That might as well be ancient history. :(

Anyway, I hope you guys are right. I've just about had all the Kondylis I can stand. :mad:

http://i130.photobucket.com/albums/p242/Lofter1/88%20Leonard/88Leonard_03a.jpg

londonlawyer

March 3rd, 2009, 08:43 AM

From the March 3, 2009 NY Post:
http://www.nypost.com/seven/03032009/business/landlords_sleep_on_rent_break_157770.htm

econ_tim

March 3rd, 2009, 08:48 AM

Quoting the article here since the Post's website annoys me.

There's big news on West 57th Street: Gary Barnett's Extell has at last filed plans with the Buildings Department for its hotel/condo tower diagonally across from Carnegie Hall.
The long-awaited, 953-foot tower between Sixth and Seventh avenues will soar to 73 stories, with the hotel and stores on floors one through 20, residential amenities on 21-22, and apartments on all the floors above them. The architect is Costas Kondylis, who designed Trump World Tower.
Extell's tower will have a hotel lounge and ballroom on the second floor; a res taurant on the third; a pool, spa, residential dining room and library on 21. The tower's total floor area will be 830,000 square feet.
All this follows our Dec. 2 report that the spire would include a "5-star," Park Hyatt Hotel - facts we gleaned from the Web site of Aegis Security Design, which Extell hired to provide "physical and electronic security" for the skyscraper.
Extell still won't confirm or deny the Park Hyatt deal and - surprise - Aegis is no longer involved with the project.
The $1 billion question remains how Barnett can get financing for the tower, even while most developers are starved for credit. But the purposefulness with which Extell has moved said it's a done deal.

By the way, the description of the location confuses me. It says diagonally across from Carnegie Hall, which would be between 7th and Broadway, but it also says between 6th and 7th. Which one is it?

londonlawyer

March 3rd, 2009, 08:51 AM

I'm still guessing that Kondylis is just architect of record.

econ_tim

March 3rd, 2009, 09:45 AM

I found the answer to my question in post 11 (http://www.wirednewyork.com/forum/showpost.php?p=136866&postcount=11) of this thread.

antinimby

March 3rd, 2009, 01:13 PM

The post called it a "spire," which to me means it, at least, won't be flat-topped (or maybe it will be flat-topped but with an antenna plop on top of it ala NY Times).

londonlawyer

March 3rd, 2009, 01:35 PM

I envision de Portzamparc's proposal for the Tour Signal in Paris.

avngingandbright

May 12th, 2009, 05:57 PM

Any movement on this site? DOB says March 6th: CONSTRUCT NEW BUILDING, but it's been two months now....

MidtownApt

May 14th, 2009, 01:19 PM

They're digging a foundation.

londonlawyer

May 14th, 2009, 01:41 PM

Did this just start today (i.e., Thur., May 14th)?

MidtownApt

May 15th, 2009, 01:11 PM

At least 2 weeks ago.

londonlawyer

May 15th, 2009, 01:21 PM

Thanks. Have they been working every day?

MidtownApt

May 17th, 2009, 09:35 PM

Pretty much 7-5, on weekdays.

avngingandbright

May 17th, 2009, 11:12 PM

Woohoo!

londonlawyer

May 17th, 2009, 11:19 PM

Great news. This building is going to be awesome.

I hope that demo starts soon on the Hardrock site too!

avngingandbright

May 17th, 2009, 11:22 PM

This building is going to be awesome.

Hope you're right!

lofter1

May 19th, 2009, 12:23 AM

For Excavation Lovers (they really have a closed-up fence here):

http://i130.photobucket.com/albums/p242/Lofter1/Midtown/157W57_090518__2.jpg

http://i130.photobucket.com/albums/p242/Lofter1/Midtown/157W57_090518__3.jpg

http://i130.photobucket.com/albums/p242/Lofter1/Midtown/157W57_090518__4.jpg

http://i130.photobucket.com/albums/p242/Lofter1/Midtown/157W57_090518__1.jpg

157 W 57

londonlawyer

June 12th, 2009, 12:21 PM

Can someone post an update?

Extell filed the following with the DOB yesterday: http://a810-bisweb.nyc.gov/bisweb/JobsQueryByNumberServlet?requestid=2&passjobnumber=110463436&passdocnumber=01.

Also the following is from cityrealty.com

http://www.cityrealty.com/new_develo...sider_news/#in

Plumbing plans filed by Extell for 953-foot-tall, mixed-use tower at 155 West 57th Street

JUN 11

Extell Development's plumbing plans for a 953-foot-high, mixed-use tower at 155 East 57th Street were assigned today to an Department of Buildings examiner.

The 73-story tower would have 150 condominium apartments and a hotel. It would contain a total of 1,626,940 square feet of which 676,688 square feet would be residential.

According to plans filed by Costas Kondylis & Associates, the architectural firm, in March, the building would have accessory parking for 64 cars and the hotel would occupy the lower 20 floors.

The 21st floor would house a residential dining room, library and lounge and floors 22 through 30 would have 6 apartments per floor, floors 31 through 45 would have 4 apartments per floor, the 46th floor would be mechanical equipment, floors 47 through 58 would have two apartments per floor, floors 59 and 60 would constitute one duplex apartment, floors 61 through 70 would have one apartment per floor, and floors 71 and 72 would constitute one duplex apartment.

Excavation of the site has been proceeding recently. The site is across 57th Street from the Russian Tea Room restaurant and the Metropolitan Tower. The new tower, on which Frank Williams, the architect, has also worked, would be taller than the area's three tallest skyscrapers: Carnegie Hill Tower and the Metropolitan Tower on 57th Street, and CitiSpire on 56th Street. The new tower would block some views of Central Park from the Metropolitan Tower, which has an angled facade.

Extell owns another development site nearby to the west, the former Hard Rock restaurant location on 57th Street.

In a December 2, 2008 article in The New York Post, Steve Cuozzo wrote that the site extends through the block to 58th Street and is adjacent to two landmarks, the former CAMI Hall at 163-5 West 57thStreet and Alwyn Court on West 58th Street.

Derek2k3

June 24th, 2009, 08:44 AM

http://farm4.static.flickr.com/3361/3657000860_5f6e7d3e48_o.jpg

http://farm4.static.flickr.com/3348/3657000854_63402a7f29_b.jpg

http://farm4.static.flickr.com/3417/3657000852_0d2ee3e898_b.jpg

http://farm3.static.flickr.com/2458/3657000874_56d24b9122_o.jpg

http://farm4.static.flickr.com/3397/3657000870_51fc3860e5_o.jpg

londonlawyer

June 24th, 2009, 01:25 PM

Derek,

Has Extell started demolishing the Hardrock building?

Derek2k3

June 24th, 2009, 09:43 PM

No, doesn't look like anything has changed in a while.

londonlawyer

June 24th, 2009, 11:22 PM

Thanks.

I keep checking de Portzamparc's website to find a rendering. I guarantee that Kostas is just the arch. of record and that this tower will be magnificent.

kz1000ps

July 10th, 2009, 01:36 AM

July 9th:

http://img197.imageshack.us/img197/3038/1060119.jpg

CitiesfromSpace

July 10th, 2009, 02:19 AM

At least the excavator's moved...it might be just wishful thinking but the pit looks significantly wider in this pic from the last. Nice shot.

Derek2k3

July 10th, 2009, 09:03 AM

They are progressing on a daily basis with the excavation, You can hear it from a block away.

Kondylis is no longer the arch of record, it's SLCE. Word is Kondylis is ill and has downsized the firm.

CitiesfromSpace

July 10th, 2009, 09:51 AM

Wow, SLCE's site shows them as the Executive Architect for Tower Verre...who knew? Have to say, their style may be generic, but compared to Costas, their portfolio looks innovative lol.

Derek2k3

July 10th, 2009, 10:06 AM

Here's the link by the way guys.
http://www.slcearch.com/
Some renderings of 99 Church, 388 Bridge, 135 W 45th, and 610 Lexington.

SLCE and Kondylis (maybe Handel) are the best at providing efficient residential layouts that make the most money.

londonlawyer

July 10th, 2009, 10:48 AM

Derek,

How did you learn this information? Are you in the architecture or construction industry? Have you heard whether de Portzamparc is the actual architect?

ablarc

July 11th, 2009, 11:28 AM

Some renderings of 99 Church, 388 Bridge, 135 W 45th, and 610 Lexington.
Mostly junk.

lofter1

July 11th, 2009, 01:55 PM

The 99 Church renders from SLCE are very attractive and evocative of an older NYC ...

londonlawyer

July 11th, 2009, 02:38 PM

I agree. I wonder what SCLE's role is with respect to this project.

ramvid01

July 11th, 2009, 02:52 PM

^^ Architect of record i believe. Stern is the design architect though.

londonlawyer

July 11th, 2009, 03:41 PM

Thanks.

ablarc

July 11th, 2009, 04:42 PM

The 99 Church renders from SLCE are very attractive and evocative of an older NYC ...
Missed that one; you're right, it's fine.

^^ Architect of record i believe. Stern is the design architect though.
No wonder it's fine.

NoyokA

July 27th, 2009, 09:15 PM

lofter1

July 27th, 2009, 11:37 PM

That's a big gamble. Others say the hotel sector, the hardest hit and currently unable to be financed, will take quite some time before tit's viable, especially with the big vacancies at new NYC hotels (recently the new McSam trio on W 39th was ~20 full at first week) and with lots of new(er) rooms still not yet on market (still under construction).

BrooklynLove

July 28th, 2009, 08:07 AM

Short memories. Hotels are heavily cyclical. Room demand is already starting to creep back. CMBS demand will follow eventually as well. Baby steps.

londonlawyer

July 29th, 2009, 11:48 AM

There was an article today about Barnett in the New York Observer. This project remains a mystery. The Observer said that Barnett filed plans for this building but that might have more to do with beating the city's new building codes. Barnett said that they weren't going through with all the buildings filed (6), one positive is that he said he is more inclined to build hotels as he thinks that'll be the first segment to come back.

Hotel location becomes key
Experts say only hotels in prime neighborhoods likely to get built
June 30, 2009 11:11PM

By Catherine Curan

Before the economy collapsed last September, hotel developers rushed to do deals in almost any Manhattan neighborhood, from the Financial District to the Lower East Side to the far West Side, trying to cash in on the surging demand for rooms.....

But with delays and defaults becoming the new rule, once the credit markets finally thaw, projects in better-established neighborhoods may emerge as most-likely-to-be-built. Gary Barnett, president of Extell, is one of the developers putting Lower Manhattan on the back burner in favor of 57th Street and Times Square, areas with long track records of filling hotel rooms.

"In times like this, only the prime of the prime of the prime of the prime has a chance of getting built," said Barnett.

Derek2k3

September 12th, 2009, 03:48 PM

http://farm4.static.flickr.com/3066/2872771548_be0b6f9035_b.jpg
Wessel Bloem (http://www.flickr.com/photos/wbloem/2872771548/sizes/l/in/pool-62649201@N00/)

Old photo but gives you an idea of the view.

londonlawyer

September 14th, 2009, 12:18 AM

Has activity resumed there?

PS: It's a shame that the POJ to the east is still standing. It has such a crappy facade.

Barpoint

September 16th, 2009, 10:53 PM

Yes, excavation work continues every weekday starting at 7 AM.

(And I don't particularly like the Nippon Club building, either.)

londonlawyer

September 17th, 2009, 08:09 AM

Thanks, amigo.

Is anything happening at the Hardrock site nearby?

Derek2k3

September 17th, 2009, 12:04 PM

Nope. The buildings are still covered in that construction mesh. The supermarket is still open too.

But those buildings on 34th street near 7th Ave you hate are coming down. One is down already and the ugly hotel has all its windows taken out. They better have financing for whatever they build b/c if they leave this site vacant it will be quite an eyesore. The zoning on this part of 34th street is among the highest in the city. They can easily build a 30+ story building - so looks like the Nelson Tower will have some company.

londonlawyer

September 17th, 2009, 01:19 PM

Hi, Derek.

That's great news. Can you post a photo?

Thanks

Derek2k3

September 17th, 2009, 08:36 PM

I'll get one tomorrow.

jeps

September 24th, 2009, 10:43 AM

From le Figaro.

L'ovni en verre de
Portzamparc

Béatrice de Rochebouët
24/09/2009
L'urbaniste multiplie les projets, de Casablanca à New York. Il vient d'inaugurer le siège social de Bouygues Immobilier, à Issy-les-Moulineaux.

Demain, il s'envole pour Casablanca, sa ville natale, où il vient de remporter, fin juin, le concours pour le nouveau théâtre, CasArt, une imbrication de bâtiments de différentes hauteurs sur un terrain austère de 24 000 m2 cernée par des institutions, place Mohammed-V. Hier, il a inauguré, à Issy-les-Moulineaux, le nouveau siège social de Bouy*gues Immobilier, Galeo, un immeuble HQE (haute qualité environnementale) recouvert d'une seconde peau faite de 700 facettes en écaille de verre sérigraphié qui créent une luminosité particulière. Et dans quelques jours, il dévoilera sa nouvelle tour de 330 mètres, à Manhattan, en face du Carnegie Hall, sur la 57e Avenue. Un record de hauteur pour une tour de logement, d'une forme aussi incroyable que celle construite pour LVMH, en 1995........

JSsocal

September 24th, 2009, 11:36 AM

I just threw it in Google Translator...

From Le Figaro.

The UFO glass Portzamparc Beatrice Rochebouet 24/09/2009 The planner of many projects, from Casablanca to New York. He has just inaugurated the headquarters of Bouygues Immobilier, in Issy-les-Moulineaux. Tomorrow, he flew to Casablanca, his hometown, where he won in late June, the competition for the new theater, CasArt, a nesting of buildings of different heights on an austere land of 24 000 m2 surrounded by institutions Place Mohammed-V. Yesterday, it was inaugurated in Issy-les-Moulineaux, the new headquarters Bouy * gues Estate, Galeo a building HQE (High Environmental Quality) covered with a second skin made of 700 tortoiseshell veneers that create silkscreen glass a particular luminosity. And in a few days it will unveil its new tower of 330 meters in Manhattan across from Carnegie Hall on 57th Avenue. A record high for a tower housing a form as incredible as that built for LVMH in 1995 ........

NYatKNIGHT

September 24th, 2009, 11:37 AM

330m = 1083'

Stroika

September 24th, 2009, 12:00 PM

IF that's accurate (big 'if'), it will be excellent news. Or, as Borat would say, very nice.

londonlawyer

September 24th, 2009, 12:56 PM

http://t1.gstatic.com/images?q=tbn:VLT1tdwR2HGkYM:http://www.boston.com/ae/theater_arts/exhibitionist/austin-powers-cocktail-glass-4900072.jpg

NoyokA

September 24th, 2009, 01:10 PM

I wonder when a few days is. In the meantime Im changing the architect, its clear Portzamparc is very much still on and Costas is just the architect of record.

futurecity

September 24th, 2009, 01:11 PM

Another great proposal? I hope this one is built, rather than all those other greats like Leonard Street, Madison Park, etc..

NoyokA

September 24th, 2009, 01:18 PM

A record high for a tower housing a form as incredible as that built for LVMH in 1995 ........

I absolutely love the LVMH Tower. A 1,083 foot high version here would be incredible.

http://img9.imageshack.us/img9/7413/lvmhtowernewyorkacp081.jpg

Derek2k3

September 24th, 2009, 01:33 PM

Posted this in the other thread pertaining to Extell's other tower on 57th.

Tue 09.29.2009
WakeUptheCit[ies]:Recent Work by Christian de Portzamparc
CES LUs 1.5; HSW 1.5

When: 6:00 PM - 8:00 PM TUESDAY, SEPTEMBER 29
Where: At The Center

Priztker Prize winning, Paris-based architect and urbanist, Christian de Portzamparc, Hon. FAIA, will lecture on his portfolio of completed and current work and his vision of the city with specific regard to his involvement in the "Grand Paris" challenge.
With his team of 100 collaborators, he currently has underway the redesigning of Rue de la loi, the adminstrative heart of Europe (Brussels, Belgium), a performing arts center in Rio de Janiero, the largest theater in Africa (Casablanca, Morocco), the headquarters for the top developer in France (Bouygues Immobilier) and an entire neighborhood in Paris (Massena Paris Left Bank). He also recently completed a new office tower in Paris la Defense, the Hergé Museum (Tintin’s author) in Belgium, and a new Concert hall in Luxemburg.

In New York, after the New York City Opera proposal (2004- canceled or stopped or interrupted in 2006), three large private tower projects are soon to see the light of day…

Organized by: AIA NY Cultural Facilities Committee in cooperation with La Maison Francaise NYU

CES LUs 1.5; HSW 1.5

Free for members; $10 for non-members
RSVP

Maybe the two 57th Street projects, 400 Park Ave?, or Extell's Riverside South development. I'm going.

NoyokA

September 24th, 2009, 02:02 PM

Great. Get us the inside scoop Derek!

Alonzo-ny

September 24th, 2009, 03:29 PM

Great news! LL was right all along!

londonlawyer

September 25th, 2009, 08:25 AM

This is great news. I'm prescient! I've also predicted for a long time that a very tall masterpiece will rise at the Drake site. Mark my words!

This is from cityrealty.com

24-SEP-09

Partial permit issued today for 953-foot-high, mixed-use tower at 155 West 57th Street

The Department of Buildings issued a partial permit today for a 953-foot-high hotel and apartment tower at 155 West 57th Street that is planned by Extell Development.

The plan calls for a 73-story tower with about 150 residential condominium apartments on the top 52 floors.

The plans were filed by Jim Davidson of SLCE but rumors have circulated that Christian de Portzamparc may also be involved in the project. Mr. de Portzamparc has designed a multi-tower plan for Extell's development of the site near the East River between 59th and 61st Street west of West End Avenue at the south end of its portion of the Riverside South development that had been started by Donald Trump.

Mr. de Portzamparc designed in 1999 the prismatic mid-block tower for LVMH on 57th Street between Fifth and Madison Avenues and had also designed an angular tower for the adjacent corner site on Madison Avenue but that tower was not built. He is perhaps best known for his 1995 tower in Lille, France, that has no edge parallel to another, and his undulating Hotel Renaissance Marriott on Wagram Avenue in Paris, which was completed this year and for his oblique office tower known as the Granite Project that is under construction at La Defense in Paris.

He has also designed a 40-story, 436-unit apartment building at 400 Park Avenue South for A & R Kalimian Realty, which had also commissioned him to design a new home for the New York City Opera and an apartment tower for a site it had acquired near the Lincoln Center for the Performing Arts from the American Red Cross in 2004. The opera company, however, eventually withdrew from the latter project.

The 21st floor would house a residential dining room, library and lounge and floors 22 through 30 would have 6 apartments per floor, floors 31 through 45 would have 4 apartments per floor, the 46th floor would be mechanical equipment, floors 47 through 58 would have two apartments per floor, floors 59 and 60 would constitute one duplex apartment, floors 61 through 70 would have one apartment per floor, and floors 71 and 72 would constitute one duplex apartment.

Excavation of the site has been proceeding recently. The site is across 57th Street from the Russian Tea Room restaurant and the Metropolitan Tower. The new tower, on which Frank Williams and Costas Kondylis, the architects, had also worked, would be taller than the area's three tallest skyscrapers: Carnegie Hill Tower and the Metropolitan Tower on 57th Street, and CitiSpire on 56th Street. The new tower would block some views of Central Park from the Metropolitan Tower, which has an angled facade.

Foundation work is underway at the site, which is adjacent to the great Alwyn Court apartment building on the southeast corner of 58th Street and Seventh Avenue and the former CAMI Hall at 163-5 West 57th Street, both official city landmarks.

Extell owns another development site nearby to the west, the former Hard Rock restaurant location on 57th Street.

Mr. de Portzamparc, a winner of the Pritzker Prize, will discuss his recent work Tuesday at 6 PM at the Center for Architecture at 536 La Guardia Place on the west side of Silver Towers south of Washington Square Park in a lecture sponsored by the New York Chapter of the American Institute of Architecture of La Maison Francaise of New York University.

lp640

September 26th, 2009, 11:19 PM

Portzamparc = stunning designs.

I hope it's really the 1,083 feet! Funny, this is supposedly taller than the MoMa tower.

londonlawyer

September 28th, 2009, 05:53 PM

http://www.nyu.edu/gsas/dept/french/MCalendar2.html

It seems that the design will be revealed tomorrow night.

Alonzo-ny

September 28th, 2009, 06:03 PM

Excellent, your faith in this project will be rewarded amigo!

londonlawyer

September 28th, 2009, 06:29 PM

This one, the Hard Rock site and The Drake site will yield 1,000 foot masterpieces!

I hope that all is well, amigo!

antinimby

September 28th, 2009, 06:30 PM

Putting faith in people like Nouvel and Portzamparc is easy to do. You will almost always never get disappointed.

I'm almost certain this one will resemble some kind of jagged, sharp shard of glass thrusting skyward, ending in a very pointy top. ;)

futurecity

September 28th, 2009, 07:08 PM

All very well and good, but to be honest, NY is seriously lacking a more feminine landmark. A nice curvey organic building would do wonders and contrast with NY's mainly hard edged geometric fabric. We all ready have the MOMA building with its jagged shard-like look, we should have here something that has some kind of curvilinear surface I hope.

lofter1

September 28th, 2009, 07:50 PM

http://www.nyu.edu/gsas/dept/french/MCalendar2.html

It seems that the design will be revealed tomorrow night.

"Reservation list FILLED"

Glad I made mine :D But thinking I'll go early to assure entry, cam in hand ...

Alonzo-ny

September 28th, 2009, 08:01 PM

We all expect a report as soon as possible Lofter! ;)

NoyokA

September 28th, 2009, 08:48 PM

Somebody be sure to ask about the status of this project. Also 400 Park Avenue South and the Hard Rock site.

antinimby

September 28th, 2009, 08:53 PM

Also be sure to bring cash. I remember Derek said there would be an entry fee if don't have membership.

londonlawyer

September 28th, 2009, 09:24 PM

"Reservation list FILLED"

Glad I made mine :D But thinking I'll go early to assure entry, cam in hand ...

You're the man!

londonlawyer

September 28th, 2009, 09:25 PM

Somebody be sure to ask about the status of this project. Also 400 Park Avenue South and the Hard Rock site.

Good point, amigo!

lofter1

September 28th, 2009, 11:45 PM

... an entry fee if don't have membership.

A mere $10 :D

londonlawyer

September 29th, 2009, 07:44 PM

Can any of you in attendance post some news via Blackberry?

lofter1

September 29th, 2009, 09:57 PM

Portzamparc started a bit late; I lasted ~ 2 hours. Pretty dark in there for photos :(

Extell was the sponsor of tonight's presentation, with rows of reserved seats for Extell-ers (many who didn't show). No discussion tonight of 155 W 57, and only one very fleeting image of the project at Riverside South. Seems both might be discussed at some other Portzamparc presentation tomorrow at 8AM (see below).

Lots of talk about 400 Park Avenue South -- Construction is slated to begin there in 2010!

One big loss for NYC is that Portzamparc's 150 Amsterdam / home for NYC Opera wasn't built. The slides on that were fantastic and he used the opportunity to discuss his "Open Brick" concept.

***

Calendar: Wed 09.30.2009

http://cfa.aiany.org/index.php?section=calendar&evtid=1056

CES LUs 1.5; HSW 1.5
When: 8:00 AM - 9:30 AM
WEDNESDAY, SEPTEMBER 30

Where: At The Center

Riverside South is a 56-acre residential neighborhood that includes a 21-acre public waterfront park along the Hudson. The southernmost end of the site, recently acquired by Extell and to be called Riverside Center, is proposed to be rezoned and will be entering the public approvals process shortly.

Please join us for a presentation of the Extell proposal by the architect Christian de Portzamparc and landscape architect Signe Nielsen, as well as several other alternatives for this large and important site on the West Side of Manhattan.

For more information on the project, please visit website below:

http://www.riversidecenternyc.com/

A panel discussion will follow the presentations.

Presenters:
Christian de Portzamparc, Hon. FAIA, and Signe Nielsen, Hon. AIANY, FASLA, Extell
Paul Elston, Riverside South Planning Corporation
Paul Willen, FAIA
Craig Whitaker, Coalition for a Livable West Side

Organized by: AIANY Planning & Urban Design Committee

Riverside South:

*

londonlawyer

September 29th, 2009, 10:11 PM

Thanks, Lofter.

400 PAS is one of my favorite projects. I really hope that it starts in 2010. That parking lot is an eyesore, and the tower is magnificent.

Derek2k3

September 29th, 2009, 11:14 PM

Yea, nothing about the 57th Street towers. He has a very heavy french accent, I barely understood anything.

lofter1

September 30th, 2009, 12:30 AM

The biggest laugh of the evening: When Portzamparc was talking about the NYC Zoning Regulations and said they were more complex than the Talmud.

londonlawyer

September 30th, 2009, 03:36 AM

Did he say if the developer has financing for 400 PAS? I really want that project to start.

lofter1

September 30th, 2009, 10:32 AM

He spoke, regarding 400 PAS, more in terms of the "plan is set to start in 2010" or something to that effect. But he continually sang the praises of the developer (A&R Kalimian?). The Portzamparc website (http://www.chdeportzamparc.com/) also shows construction for 400 PAS at 2010.

Did anyone go to this morning's 8AM Portzamparc presentation.

Stroika

September 30th, 2009, 12:39 PM

Still no word about today's meeting? No reveals of 57th St?

Derek2k3

September 30th, 2009, 06:31 PM

Too early for me...
That one seemed like it was solely going to focus on Riverside Center.

Presenters:
Christian de Portzamparc, Hon. FAIA, and Signe Nielsen, Hon. AIANY, FASLA, Extell
Paul Elston, Riverside South Planning Corporation
Paul Willen, FAIA
Craig Whitaker, Coalition for a Livable West Side

Signe Nielsen was my landscape architecture professor at Pratt. Her firm also designed a parts of Hudson River Park.

kz1000ps

October 11th, 2009, 05:19 PM

Yesterday:

http://img38.imageshack.us/img38/3618/img1551e.jpg

I dedicate this one to you, Londonlawyer ;)

londonlawyer

October 11th, 2009, 05:27 PM

Thanks, Kz.

You're the man!

Tectonic

October 11th, 2009, 10:06 PM

So I guess this is moving forward?

antinimby

October 12th, 2009, 12:11 AM

So much for the design being revealed in "a few days," and that was a couple of weeks ago.

(Has anyone checked Portzamparc's website?)

Tectonic

October 12th, 2009, 12:33 AM

I checked early this week I think, nothing.

londonlawyer

October 12th, 2009, 02:32 AM

I check de Portzamparc, Exell's and the Park Hyatt's everyday, and no hay nada!

NoyokA

October 12th, 2009, 02:43 AM

Everyday. Now that is commitment! I think you have an architecture fetish LL. Portzamparc being the metaphorical Megan Fox and Kaufmann the metaphorical Courtney Love.

londonlawyer

October 12th, 2009, 02:51 AM

Hi, amigo! How are you?

I am obsessed with this tower and 225 West 57th. I have faith that Barnett will deliver two masterpieces.

I also genuinely believe that after Macklowe loses The Drake site in court that a new developer will build a magnificent, very tall residential/hotel on the site since the housing market will recover long before the office market does.

NoyokA

October 12th, 2009, 03:01 AM

Everythings great. I just got a new apt in Long Island City and am loving the new hood.

londonlawyer

October 12th, 2009, 03:05 AM

Congratulations! LIC is a great place.

londonlawyer

November 9th, 2009, 04:27 PM

Can someone update this with a photo?

I will be moving back to NY soon and volunteer to post updates for this site regularly. In the meantime, can someone help a guy in the boonies?

jackie60

November 9th, 2009, 04:40 PM

londonlawyer

November 9th, 2009, 04:42 PM

I'm not. I'm aware that they're two different sites. I used to live around the corner from here and often shopped at the rat hole Morton Williams.

jackie60

November 9th, 2009, 04:49 PM

OK, This was on Curbed today. Did you see it yet?
http://curbed.com/archives/2009/11/09/extell_buildings_veiled_as_they_await_landmarks_ju dgment.php

NYatKNIGHT

November 9th, 2009, 04:52 PM

^That's 225 West 57th Street.

Go here (http://www.wirednewyork.com/forum/showthread.php?t=8439&page=6).

londonlawyer

November 9th, 2009, 04:53 PM

Thanks. I meant to post that in the 225 W 57th St thread.

londonlawyer

November 9th, 2009, 04:54 PM

You have this project confused with 155 west 57th st.

Thanks. I mis-posted it in the wrong thread.

TonyO

November 10th, 2009, 05:52 PM

Crain's

Extell gets landmark break on W. 57th

By Theresa Agovino

Published: November 10, 2009 - 3:37 pm

The Landmarks Preservation Commission handed Extell Development Co. a huge victory Tuesday when it shelved plans to vote on a building the company wants to raze to construct a huge mixed-used project. In August, Extell Chief Executive Gary Barnett told the commission that the company couldn't incorporate the façade of 225 W. 57th St. into the development and that designating it a landmark would kill the project and perhaps cause his lenders to foreclose on the site.

“Needless to say we are very happy with the outcome,” said Raizy Haas, senior vice president of development at Extell. “It's not just good for us. It is good for the city—it will create many construction and permanent jobs.”

The commission's decision to call off the vote was surprising because it typically doesn't landmark buildings against the will of its owner. But last summer, the commission signaled its interest in designating two buildings on the site owned by Extell by starting the process with an act known as “calendaring,” or putting them on the schedule for review. Later, the City Council, which has the power to override a Landmarks Preservation Commission vote, joined in Mr. Barnett's opposition to landmarking 225 W. 57th St.

The Council's stand was one reason the vote was called off, according to a statement by commission Chair Robert Tierney. He added that after considering information on the building, including analysis supplied by Extell, he didn't think the property was worthy of the designation. In the past, the commission has been accused of being too developer friendly.

However, the commission did vote to landmark 1780 Broadway, between West 57th and West 58th streets, saying it is a noteworthy reminder of the automobile industry's prominence in New York in the early 20th century. Both buildings were owned by BF Goodrich but the Broadway property once served as its headquarters. At least two other buildings in that neighborhood have been landmarked because of their connection to the automobile industry.

Mr. Barnett had said he could work the Broadway building into the development even though it would present costly challenges. Extell plans to construct a tower of up to 1.5 million square feet that would include retail and office space, a hotel, condos and maybe even trading floors. Ms. Haas said it was too soon to say when the company would break ground because three or four buildings still needed to be demolished and an architect hasn't been selected.

Extell is already developing a hotel a block over on West 57th Street.

http://www.crainsnewyork.com/apps/pbcs.dll/article?AID=/20091110/FREE/911109990/1058

lofter1

November 10th, 2009, 06:39 PM

At the C de P website (http://www.chdeportzamparc.com/) there is a description [see attached below] stating that the Extell project will be "Two different towers" with one rising to 937' (79 stories) and a second rising to 815' (68 stories).

So that could mean we will be getting something akin to one of these ...

http://www.fotosvanrotterdam.nl/pix/902.jpg (more at SSC (http://www.skyscrapercity.com/showthread.php?t=526161))

or ...

http://img300.imageshack.us/img300/3659/t1portzamparcra3.png

*

londonlawyer

November 10th, 2009, 06:48 PM

I think that de Portzamparc's website suggests two separate building sites on W 57th. Obviously, based upon the comments from Extell's representative, he has not been retained (at least at the moment) for the Hard Rock site.

As we know, Frank Williams did preliminary designs for Extell for the Carnegie Hall site, and yet, he was not retained. The same may be true of de Portzamparc with respect to the Hard Rock site.

Moreover, the Carnegie Hall site is not big enough for two towers of that size.

lofter1

November 10th, 2009, 08:33 PM

We'll see.

londonlawyer

November 10th, 2009, 08:43 PM

Amazingly, Extell seems to have money to get its projects moving. Hopefully, we'll see the rendering soon.

By the way, it seems like the Hard Rock site is bigger than this one. Therefore, that building also should exceed 1,000 feet especially since Extell purchased a lot of air rights, as it did for the Carnegie Hall site.

BrooklynLove

November 11th, 2009, 09:20 AM

They probably got some suckers to put up committed financing before Sept 2008. And those loans have probably been (at least partially) sold off, which complicates things even more. Thus the threat of foreclosure.

lofter1

November 11th, 2009, 11:28 AM

... it seems like the Hard Rock site is bigger than this one. Therefore, that building also should exceed 1,000 feet especially since Extell purchased a lot of air rights ...

The landmarking of the Broadway portion of the 225 W 57 site could / will add more height to that Extell project, as any bulk / height that could have risen there can now be added to the main part of the site.

Looking at a Google MAP (http://maps.google.com/maps?f=q&source=s_q&hl=en&geocode=&q=225+West+57th+Street+New+York+NY&sll=37.0625,-95.677068&sspn=50.956929,56.601563&ie=UTF8&hq=&hnear=225+W+57th+St,+New+York,+10019&ll=40.765908,-73.97997&spn=0.002633,0.00493&z=18) it appears that the 225 site is nearly 2X as large as the 157 / Carnegie site.

*

londonlawyer

November 11th, 2009, 11:39 AM

Thanks for the information, Lofter.

I suspected that 225 W 57th was significantly bigger than 157 W 57th. You get an idea as to how huge it is when viewed from 58th Street. The former Landmark HS and the Morton Williams buildings form a fairly large footprint.

If 157 will be over 1,000 feet tall, I assume that 225 will as well, particularly in light of what you note regarding air rights from the Broadway property.

Has the LPC voted against Extell, I think that this would have imperiled Extell's plans for the little pieces of crap on the north side of 58th Street. With its new tower, Extell has a vested interest in redeveloping this disgusting block that's in a prime location. When I lived in that area, I used to get naseous just looking at the broken down, filthy buildings on W 58th.

I have very high hopes for this project and for 157.

http://wirednewyork.com/forum/attachment.php?attachmentid=6781&d=1232032716

Tectonic

November 15th, 2009, 12:18 PM

Wait, haven't been paying much attention...are they going to build both towers at the same time?

londonlawyer

November 15th, 2009, 12:38 PM

I assume that they're going to start building the 58th Street mid-rise to assure buyers at 225 W 57th that nothing will rise to the north of it that will block their Central Park views.

lp640

November 17th, 2009, 03:39 PM

Aabar Investment, a company controlled by the Abu Dhabi Government, is helping fund the development of a 73-storey luxury apartment building and hotel in New York City.

Khadem al Qubaisi, the chairman of Aabar, confirmed the company had paid Extell Development for a majority stake in a project rising at 157 West 57th Street in Manhattan, just a block away from Central Park and next door to Essex House, a hotel owned by the Jumeirah Group of Dubai.

“We selected Gary Barnett for our first project,” Mr al Qubaisi said, adding that the company was also reviewing other potential property deals in New York. “If things go well, we will start another project.”

Mr Barnett said the 57th Street development would be “one of the greatest buildings in the last 50 years” because of its prime location and ambitious design.Hopefully so!

http://www.thenational.ae/apps/pbcs.dll/article?AID=/20091117/BUSINESS/711179852/1005

BrooklynRider

November 17th, 2009, 05:00 PM

We'll decide whether it is an ambitious design or not. It is what we at WNY do best!

Derek2k3

November 17th, 2009, 09:33 PM

Hopefully so!

http://www.thenational.ae/apps/pbcs.dll/article?AID=/20091117/BUSINESS/711179852/1005
That article made my day. So this project is basically a go.

“We selected Gary Barnett for our first project,” Mr al Qubaisi said, adding that the company was also reviewing other potential property deals in New York. “If things go well, we will start another project.”

Please start 56 Leonard.

We need more of these foreign guys developing in New York, they have a hell of a lot more ambition than our bottom line developers. Here was a recent article from the Real Deal about a Chinese billionaire looking to develop a project in Manhattan.

http://therealdeal.net/newyork/articles/chinese-developer-dai-zhikang-kicks-tires-in-nyc

Chinese developer kicks tires in NYC
November 04, 2009 03:00PM By Adam Pincus

Dai Zhikang, chairman of Shanghai Zendai Investment Group

The young founder of a massive real estate development firm based in Shanghai, China, is visiting New York City this week with a hope to build a mixed-use project here sometime within the next 10 years.

While Dai Zhikang, chairman of Shanghai Zendai Investment Group, has not bought any property and has no project plans, he already has set himself apart from most Chinese real estate executives touring the city these days: he wants to build his own project, not just invest in something.

"I have no interest to buy [exclusively as an investor]. I just want to develop," he said in an interview yesterday in a representative's office overlooking Union Square.

Dai was ranked 127th richest person in China with a net worth of $410 million, according to a Forbes ranking of the wealthiest 400 Chinese in 2008.

Real estate experts said very few China-based builders are touring the city to develop; most are looking to make investments as partners or to buy existing buildings.

Dai, 45, launched Zendai in 1993. The company has grown to hold $1.46 billion in assets, with developments in a number of Chinese cities, the firm says. The company holds a number of subsidiaries, including Shanghai Zendai Property Limited, which is listed on the Hong Kong Stock Exchange. It showed revenues of $935 million Hong Kong dollars, or $120 million, in the most recent report for the first half of 2009.

This is not Dai's first trip to New York. He's made about a half a dozen trips before, and even sketched out a massive 3 million-square-foot mixed-use development project in Staten Island that never got off the ground.

While he said land prices seemed pretty good now, having fallen significantly, he is not waiting for them to come down more before putting in offers. He is waiting for the dollar to fall against the Chinese Yuan, which will make property relatively cheaper to snap up.

"If the dollar devalues, it will definitely attract more investment from China," he said.

He has an expansive vision for a development, a "city within a city," that would include residential, commercial and Chinese cultural facilities, similar to a massive mixed-use project slated to open in 2010 in Shanghai called Himalayas Center. But such dreams often take decades, such as in Battery Park City.

He was not deterred by the legal and permitting hurdles facing him.

"I am not nervous, but I still need time to research," he said.

Although Dai has visited the outer boroughs, he has his eyes fixed on Manhattan for a transformative development.

"Manhattan is more international. I want to have something that can be shared for all over the world," he said.

While he hopes to build sometime within the next 10 years, he would not be tied down with a start date.

"Maybe next year. Maybe not," he said. But he said the city needed a shot of new construction. "New York has become old. It needs something to refresh it," he said.

To find additional builders to work with, Stroock & Stroock & Lavan partner Leonard Boxer has been introducing Dai to local developers. Boxer met Dai through the China-U.S. Real Estate Council, on which Boxer serves as an American co-chair.

"I have introduced Mr. Dai to certain developers in the New York area," Boxer said.

Ety Lee, senior director at Eastern Consolidated with a focus on Chinese investment, said about 10 to 15 Chinese investor groups were actively looking to buy in New York. She is not working with Dai.

"Right now they have a great return in China but everyone wants to diversify and New York is really the best place to put your money. So I really do expect money to come here but I can't say how soon," she said.

Stroika

November 17th, 2009, 10:56 PM

I like the idea of starting a list of already-approved, already-designed projects that any foreign investors can quickly put a cash injection into and get started (as opposed to, say, bulldozing Grand Central and waiting 10 years and hundreds of millions of dollars for it to become a parking lot).

I like Derek's nominee. Mine is 80 South Street. Anyone else?

lofter1

November 18th, 2009, 12:22 AM

Chinese developer kicks tires in NYC

... Dai Zhikang, chairman of Shanghai Zendai Investment Group ...

He has an expansive vision for a development, a "city within a city," that would include residential, commercial and Chinese cultural facilities, similar to a massive mixed-use project slated to open in 2010 in Shanghai called Himalayas Center.

Interesting project (http://www.worldarchitecturenews.com/index.php?fuseaction=wanappln.projectview&upload_id=10717).

Architect: Arata Isozaki (http://www.isozaki.co.jp/)

Seems that Mr. Dai has taste and likes quality.

lofter1

November 29th, 2009, 09:40 PM

For those who think there's junky stuff around now, take a look at how West 57th west of Sixth looked back in 1868 ...

http://i130.photobucket.com/albums/p242/Lofter1/Midtown/Sixth57th_1868.jpg

fioco

November 29th, 2009, 11:26 PM

^ Wow! What a picture. Now I know why this West Virginian hillbilly felt right at home the very first time I saw New York City. My friends were amazed at how quickly I made the transition. Now I know. Under the glitz, it's just a little bit of West Virginia gone astray.

AMGLANYC

November 30th, 2009, 12:32 AM

what are those wires in that pic? this predates coned and the telephone.

adam

londonlawyer

November 30th, 2009, 12:35 AM

When de Portzamparc's design is released to
the public, there will be a run on handcream
at Duane Reade.

lofter1

November 30th, 2009, 01:25 AM

what are those wires in that pic?

Ever heard of the telegraph (http://andreas.com/faq-steamnet.html)?

lofter1

November 30th, 2009, 02:00 AM

Hard to imagine but in the years after the Civil War, when looking overhead in NYC, one must have seen a maze of wires ...

THE WIRES ON THE ROOFS.; OVER 5,000 MILES OF THIS HOUSE-TOP NUISANCES IN THE CITY.

NY TIMES (http://query.nytimes.com/gst/abstract.html?res=940CE4D7103BE033A2575AC1A9649D94 629FD7CF)
December 19, 1883

Mr. Edward Kearny, of No. 265 Broadway, who recently advertised in THE TIMES that unless the telegraph wires were taken from the roof of his building at sixth-avenue and Twenty ninth-street before yesterday he would cut them down, has given orders to his builders to tear down the standard on which they are strung ... Downtown, where the wires are thickest, a man can almost walk on them as he would on pavement ...

By the late 1880's the lines were coming down and being put in conduits underground ...

CLEARING BROADWAY.; A BIG DAY'S WORK DONE BY THE POLE AND WIRE CUTTERS.

NY TIMES (http://query.nytimes.com/gst/abstract.html?res=9A05E3D9123AE033A25757C2A9629C94 689FD7CF)
April 24, 1889

The work of wire and pole cutting went merrily on yesterday, and last night only four poles were standing in Broadway from Twentythird to Forty-second-street. The men, under charge of Contractors Hess and Busbey, went to work early yesterday morning ... Besides clearing Broadway of poles and taking down the two monsters at Forty-second-street and Sixth-avenue Contractor Busbey's men cleared all the Sixth-avenue poles of wires as farup as Fifty-seventh-street ...

Alonzo-ny

November 30th, 2009, 08:42 AM

When de Portzamparc's design is released to
the public, there will be a run on handcream
at Duane Reade.

You should stock up Amigo!

londonlawyer

November 30th, 2009, 01:51 PM

Cheers, mate!

antinimby

November 30th, 2009, 02:21 PM

^ We'll see. I think it'll be nice but doubt it'll top Nouvel's Torre Verre. I want to be proven wrong though.

It would have been nice if they kept the hills. That's one of the things that make cities like San Francisco so charming and unique.

http://i130.photobucket.com/albums/p242/Lofter1/Midtown/Sixth57th_1868.jpg

kz1000ps

December 19th, 2009, 07:13 PM

Looks like they're about ready to start going vertical:

http://img6.imageshack.us/img6/5673/img5516df.jpg

NoyokA

December 20th, 2009, 12:19 PM

Great News! Confirmation of Financing, Confirmation of Christian de Portzamparc

That said lets limit the handcream jokes.

Aabar shifts to New York for its latest acquisition

Bradley Hope

November 17 2009

Aabar Investment, a company controlled by the Abu Dhabi Government, is helping fund the development of a 73-storey luxury apartment building and hotel in New York City.

Khadem al Qubaisi, the chairman of Aabar, confirmed the company had paid Extell Development for a majority stake in a project rising at 157 West 57th Street in Manhattan, just a block away from Central Park and next door to Essex House, a hotel owned by the Jumeirah Group of Dubai.

Mr al Qubaisi said the deal with Extell, the company of the development giant Gary Barnett, could be the start of several property projects in New York.

“We selected Gary Barnett for our first project,” Mr al Qubaisi said, adding that the company was also reviewing other potential property deals in New York. “If things go well, we will start another project.”

The tower would be the latest expansion of Abu Dhabi’s presence in the New York property market. Last year, the sovereign wealth fund Abu Dhabi Investment Council bought a 75 per cent stake in the iconic Chrysler building in midtown Manhattan.

And earlier this month, the UAE Government bought a stalled development project for US$44.7 million (Dh164.1m) at 313-317 East 46th Street. An embassy spokesman said he could not yet divulge information about the Government’s plans for the building. The site is located near the UN headquarters.

Mr Barnett said the 57th Street development would be “one of the greatest buildings in the last 50 years” because of its prime location and ambitious design.

It would also be a lucrative venture because it would begin to be delivered several years from now, when the market is likely to be back on the upswing.

“Things are starting to pick up in New York,” he said. “Office space is improving because the financial sector is doing so well. We’ve seen residential buildings selling at between $5,000 and $6,000 a square foot. Even with the current market still slow, we think it will do extremely well when it is finished.”

In Aabar’s second-quarter earnings report, the company disclosed that it had made advances of Dh491.5m “to a property developer in order to acquire a majority stake in a development project in New York”.

Mr al Qubaisi said the Extell project would be a “combination of residential, office and a hotel”.

“We are negotiating now with hotel operators,” he said.

A construction document filed with the New York City Department of Buildings in March said the building would include 150 apartments and a 20-floor hotel.

Mr Barnett said the design by the French architect Christian de Portzamparc had recently been finalised. “It will be a very unusual building,” he said.

The tower would be higher than the three tallest skyscrapers within the area: Carnegie Hill Tower, the Metropolitan Tower, and CitiSpire.

The deal will add to Aabar’s growing international profile as it transforms itself from a little-known energy investor to a major strategic investment company of the Abu Dhabi Government.

On Monday, Aabar announced it had joined with Daimler to buy 75 per cent of the Formula One team Brawn GP for more than £100m (Dh616.6m). The deal capped a streak of major acquisitions over the past six months, including a 9.1 per cent stake in Daimler and a 32 per cent stake in Virgin Galactic, a commercial space flight subsidiary of the Virgin Group. .

Blair Hagkull, the head of the Middle East and North Africa office of the property consultancy Jones Lang Lasalle, said that such an investment in a trophy property project could be lucrative because it was being built during a down period and would probably be delivered as the market began to recover.

“There is only one Central Park,” he said. “This is a once-in-50-year downturn. There are a lot of opportunities out there.”

There is a major focus on investing in distressed properties in London and this will probably shift to include Paris, Singapore and New York over the next year, Mr Hagkull said.

londonlawyer

December 20th, 2009, 12:28 PM

I hope that Extell comes up with another masterpiece for 225 W 57th. I will celebrate when that crap Landmark HS on 58th, which is part of the site, is razed.

infoshare

December 20th, 2009, 12:28 PM

Great news, thanks. I was beginning to regret logging-on today: that post is very uplifting news.

cheeers.

Derek2k3

December 20th, 2009, 03:09 PM

I'll miss the Carnegie Hall Tower, Metropolitan Tower, Cityspire trio.

http://farm4.static.flickr.com/3086/2682676546_56b2914067_b.jpg
yourdon (http://www.flickr.com/photos/yourdon/2682676546/sizes/l/)
Extell's other tower will effectively wipe away that Random House/Park Imperial bore from this view.

Some others panning to the west.
http://farm4.static.flickr.com/3243/2682673388_e25d4e3369_b.jpg

http://farm3.static.flickr.com/2029/2682666460_f3e6620565_b.jpg
The Park Laurel (the building with the pyramid top) is one of Kondylis' best buildings. Probably because it was done with the help of Beyer Blinder Belle.

http://farm4.static.flickr.com/3050/2681845813_e6d06b47c8_b.jpg
The high rises surrounding Lincoln Center are awful.

londonlawyer

December 20th, 2009, 04:19 PM

Isn't 155 W 57th going to be just east of the trio? It shouldn't block them.