Agreed. And even with all the endless billions and billions of taxpayer money giveaway, the homeless problem only gets worse, the housing projects are falling apart, the subways in shambles, city hospital quality declining to third world and just about every facet of this once great world class city in decline.
5 Likes
This city is really starting to suck.
Chris’ photo
It pisses me off that morons in this city can chase away Amazon or fight the demolition of the disgusting eyesore at 14 Fifth and yet, gorgeous old buildings get razed.
3 Likes
On 57th street of all places we can’t do better than build a simple box, clad entirely in glass?
However, looking at the cost/time factor to build anything other than a ‘generic’ building in NYC; one can understand the decision to build strictly on the basis of ‘cost effectiveness’. I would love for Real Estate Developeres to have the same ‘mission statement’ as the Municipal Art Society, but that is just not the case, they do not have a moral or ethical obligation to build an “artistic looking” building: they do however have a financial obligation to build a profitable building. We once in this great city had the building trades, and construction capabilities to build beautiful AND affordable; in which case good architectural design would result in a decent return on investment.
The cost to build anything close the architectural beauty of 111 West 57th would cost Solo 10X the price of this BOX. Here is the shake-n-bake recipe: erect the concrete formwork superstructure, place one box at base, one slightly smaller box on top of that, attach prefabricated framed glass panels to brackets on the facade: DONE.
If we want to see “artistic looking” buildings go up in this city, we need to find a way for it to be a profitable venture for developers & investors alike - otherwise, this type of “caca” looking architectural design is a harbinger of things to come.
3 Likes
Absolutely disgusting. Someone tell Solow it isn’t the 70’s anymore
1 Like
Agreed on everything you said except for the part about the Municipal Arts Society. This group is nothing more than a mouthpiece for anti-development NIMBYs disguised as an arts institution.
As for NYC developers, with so many we consider to be cheap and philistines, maybe the problem is not the developers but the city.
6 Likes
Corrupting in America its a big club
1 Like
Billionnaire’s Row my ass. I hope that with the new homeless shelter that’s being built, this lame street goes downhill even further and So Low’s investment fails.
1 Like
In fairness, since it’s an SOM building, the materials and build quality will definitely be high class.
But yah otherwise screw this building. Would take back what was torn down 100% over this
2 Likes
Reminds me of 685 First ave, which had excellent materials, even if the design was awful
1 Like
This is a travesty.
2 Likes
3 Likes
The design itself is fine (it’s clean, not messy) it’s just a shame that its replacing really nice buildings. Its criminal that the facades werent saved, that could have been a nice retail base.
1 Like
For those not familiar with the site, this street is right behind it. How is this crap “Billionaires’ Row”?
Further, why isn’t all of this crap razed? NY is destined to become a flea bag.
1 Like
Why is historic preservation so impotent in NYC? New York is probably the only city in the Western World that routinely demolishes attractive prewar buildings. I understand that New York’s situation is unique. Economic logic dictates that Manhattan become structurally denser and denser, which is mostly a good thing. However, there needs to be a compromise with historic preservation, which could mean facadism, setbacks or using most of an historic building as a base for a taller building.
5 Likes
I did not know about that anti-development ethos at the Municipal Art Society; good to know. My point in referring to the MAS is basically that we all can not reasonably expect Real Estate Developers to have the ‘Arts’ or the ‘beautification of the City’ as a top priority: in the past, when developers made ‘artistic buildings’ - it was because doing so added to the bottom line in the sales, and value of the property. I spent many years in the constructions trades, some of which was that of an ‘estimator’ preparing bids for new construction; so I know the costs now to build something ‘special’ has become an astronomical added expense.
The reasons for the prohibitively high costs are many: I hear much blame being put on the inefficiency of the building trades in the US in general. The city probably can take some responsibility too I guess. The idea that a cheap simple, boring glass box is now being constructed in NYC - and on Billionairs Row no less - is surely a direct result of the exorbitant costs/time involved in constructing ‘an artistic looking building’ in Manhattan.
So, yes, I would like to add “the city” to the list of culprits: particularly since I think the Mayor AND Governor get a poor grade on leadership skills. 
1 Like
Idk why I had my hopes up. So much space and opportunity for something nice and decent.
2 Likes
High hopes and So Low are contradictory.
1 Like
Like the New York Knicks 
2 Likes