Between the Village’s nimbyism and the damage this project did to its neighbors, it’s a minor miracle that it’s going to completion.
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Great photos above.
Those facade details on most of the RAMSA classic buildings look like very solid, high quality craftsmanship.
The the cinderblock sandwiched between reinforced concrete is massively thick. Onto that cinder block they add more insulation, and then a surface layer of brick. All that that good work, and quality materials make for one fine building.
When it comes to the Vitruvian triad of Usefulness, Beauty & Solidity; this building scores highly on all three attributes - particularly the SOLIDITY of the structure.
I will here share something I saw online recently; it looks like a fairly accurate illustration of this same facade detail here at 14 5th Avenue. Not the same; but one gets the general idea. 
It doesnt look like the overall massing from the renders has changes but the general layout of the windows is not the same as the renders anymore, so I wonder if the material palette and color scheme has also changed.
I dont believe this one will be be using the described detail. Many if not most of RAMSA buildings are not built that way. The closest would be The Cortland, which also strayed from the illustration.
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They must have hired my window installer.
I don’t know why I thought this would be red brick.
The renderings are much closer in color to Claremont Hall and not this yellowish color which does work well with the existing buildings on either side but the rendered color is much classier. IMHO.
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Yellow or gray, this one is filling out the streetwall beautifully.
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It’s got that classic massing. 
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20 5th Ave is one of my favorite buildings, and I didn’t realize it had such a nice bulkhead!
I wish the new RAMSA building were red brick, however the yellowish brick works well too. Good streetwall neighbor overall.
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Historical recreations have been the norm in architecture for most of the United States’ existence ; note that the building from next door is from 1940, and has heavy Neoclassical decoration such as Greek Keys and fasces. The building that 14 5th Ave is replacing was also historicist, like every other 19th century townhouse in NYC.
Historical recreations & new buildings designed in the ‘classical’ or ‘tradtional’ style always look great: but they are not the “norm”. They are actually a very small fraction of all new construction: in other words - “Niche”, or a “small subset”.
Ever since the early to mid 20th century the NORM has been ‘contemporary’ or ‘modern architecture’.
I was fairly sure you were wrong on that claim regarding “the norm”. I am into AI lately; so I went to Grok2 to see if I could get a confirmation on what I believed to be the case regarding the amount of ‘classical architectural’ vs ‘modern architectural design’ being constructed in the last decade.
My question to Grok2 -
Of all the new buildings constructed in the United states in the last 10 years; approximately how many are historical recreations, or classical architectural designs?
Grok2 Answer -
In the U.S., the total number of new building constructions since 2015 likely exceeds several hundred thousand annually, factoring in housing starts, commercial projects, and public buildings. The U.S. Census Bureau reports that housing starts alone averaged about 1.3 million units per year from 2015 to 2023, with commercial and institutional buildings adding tens of thousands more (Dodge Data & Analytics estimates around 20,000–30,000 non-residential projects annually). Extrapolating to a decade, we’re talking millions of new structures—perhaps 13–15 million total by 2025, assuming steady growth and accounting for 2024–2025 projections.
Now, historical recreations (exact replicas of past buildings) and classical architectural designs (new builds using Greco-Roman or traditional styles, often called “New Classical”) are a small subset. The modern architectural landscape in the U.S. leans heavily toward contemporary, minimalist, or sustainable designs, driven by cost, functionality, and prevailing tastes. Classical architecture, while experiencing a revival, is niche. The New Classical movement—supported by groups like the Institute of Classical Architecture & Art (ICAA)—has gained traction, especially for civic buildings, high-end residences, and some institutional projects. Notable examples include the Federalist-style Schermerhorn Symphony Center in Nashville (completed 2016) or the University of Notre Dame’s Walsh Family Hall (2018), both reflecting classical principles.
Another good AI overview on the subject of ‘classical’ architectural design in the USA..…enjoy. 
AI Overview
Modern or contemporary architecture, characterized by its functional design and rejection of ornamentation, became the “norm” in the USA primarily after World War II, roughly from the 1940s to the mid-1960s, coinciding with the post-war construction boom and the rise of the International Style.
Here’s a more detailed explanation:
- Post-War Boom and Modernism:
After World War II, there was a massive construction boom in the US, and modern architecture, with its focus on functionality and clean lines, became increasingly popular.
- International Style:
The International Style, a key movement within modern architecture, emphasized simplicity, geometric forms, and the use of new materials like steel and glass.
- Shifting Design Philosophies:
Before the 1940s, historicism (buildings in historical styles) was the norm, but by the 1940s, modernism began to gain traction, with architects and designers embracing new approaches to design.
- Examples of Modernism in the US:
Modernist principles influenced everything from skyscrapers to residential buildings, with notable examples like the Seagram Building in New York City and Frank Lloyd Wright’s Fallingwater.
- Beyond the International Style:
While the International Style is a key example of the modern movement, it’s important to note that modern architecture encompasses various styles and approaches, and the period from the 1940s to the mid-1960s saw a wide range of modernist expressions.
- The Rise of Post-Modernism:
By the mid-1960s, the seeds for post-modern design began to be planted, marking a shift away from the strict rules of the International Style and towards more eclectic and experimental approaches.
I said that they were the norm for most of the United States’ existence, not that they’re still the norm.
Pretty much everything prior to Art Deco was historicist, but revival styles were popular even during the Art Deco era. Even after Modernism took off in the 1950s, watered down Colonial Revival structures were still quite common.
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OH, I see - fair point.
As a general observation on ‘historicist’ architecture as oposed to doing strictly contemporary architecture: my preference is for building designs that reflects our current technology, culture, and way of life.
This new building at 14 Fifth Avenue is a thing of beauty; a visual feast as historicist buildings ‘always’ a crowd pleaser.
It is unfortunate that contemporary architecture often fails to delight; where classical or traditional seems to never fails.
However, there are many cases where a new construction building designed in the contemporary style can still be a feast for the eye; and an architectural delight as well. One such work of ‘beautiful’ modern architecture was recently completed, and covered in the YIMBY forum; also located downtown, of similar size, and also a residential building.
I am thinking of this building; on 23rd street. A modern masterpiece IMHO. 
https://www.instagram.com/p/CkY0oUmOyj4/
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