The one benefit is that this Pathmark-brand cola appears to have less than 800k sf, so it won’t be competing for tenants with nice proposals like 175 and 350 Park.
Apart from being a lame box, the disjointed top looks like sh…it.
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It wouldn’t hurt if these new glass towers had masonry bases that preserved the pre-war streetwall to a certain extent.
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This tower sucks d…
It’s average.
Yes, but this location deserves better than average.
CB5 doesn’t approve.
WHEREAS, Community Board Five, however, does not believe these improvements as proposed are sufficient to justify the additional FAR requested given the substantial density the building will bring to the area and the resulting increased demands on public transit in a corridor that already is experiencing a significant increase in density from the East Midtown and Vanderbilt Corridor rezonings; and
WHEREAS, the building massing is not compliant with the Vanderbilt Corridor daylight evaluation requirements, causing the sidewalks to be darker than a compliant massing would, and Community Board Five believes the building massing should comply with the requirements of the existing zoning, to minimize the encroachment on the sky exposure plane; and
WHEREAS, Retail frontage on Madison Avenue is a priority to maintain a vibrant and welcoming street experience for pedestrians, and the proposed lobby width is unnecessary and should be reduced to comply with the existing zoning; and
WHEREAS, CB5 recognizes that a street wall height in excess of the compliant 150 feet may be appropriate, the proposed 321 foot street wall height is excessive and should be lowered; and
WHEREAS, CB5 does not object to the special permits requested related to entrance recess, curb cut, loading berth, and street wall design to accommodate the entrance to East Side Access; therefore be it
RESOLVED, Community Board Five recommends denial of the special permits requested in this application unless the above concerns are addressed, specifically enhanced below grade public transit improvements, a lower street wall height, compliant daylight evaluation score, and a reduction in lobby width to accommodate the required retail frontage on Madison Avenue.
https://www.cb5.org/cb5m/resolutions/2021-june/resolution_4/
The location does warrant additional design effort, but considering the state of the market and the fact that this isn’t a true, full-block development, I’ll take it!
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From today’s council meeting;
LU 0867-2021 Zoning, 343 Madison Avenue – MTA/HQ, Manhattan (C
210369 ZSM)
Application No. C 20210369 ZSM (343 Madison Avenue –
MTA/HQ) submitted by BP 347 Madison Associates, LLC and
Metropolitan Transportation Authority pursuant to Sections
197-c and 201 of the New York City Charter for, in
conjunction with the grant of a special permit pursuant to
81-633 of the Zoning Resolution (Special permit for Grand
Central public realm improvements), the grant of a special
permit pursuant to Section 81-634 to modify the street wall
requirements of Sections 81-43 (Street Wall Continuity along
Designated Streets) and 81-671 (Special Street Wall
The New York City Council Page 10 Printed on 11/ 10/21
City Council Council Agenda November 10, 2021
Requirements); the height and setback requirements of Section
81-27 (Alternative Height and Setback Regulations - Daylight
Evaluation); and the mandatory district plan elements of
Section 81-42 (Retail Continuity Along Designated Streets),
Section 81-45 (Pedestrian Circulation Space), Section 37-50
(REQUIREMENTS FOR PEDESTRIAN CIRCULATION
SPACE), Sections 81-47 (Major Building Entrances), Section
81-674 (Ground floor use provisions), Section 81-44 (Curb
Cut Restrictions), and Section 81-675 (Curb cut restrictions
and loading berth requirements), in connection with a
proposed commercial development, on property located at 343
Madison Avenue (Block 1279, Lots 23, 24, 25 & 48), in a
C5-3 District, within the Special Midtown District (Vanderbilt
Corridor Subarea), Borough of Manhattan, Community
District 5, Council District 4.
Approved with Modifications and Referred to the City Planning
Commission pursuant to Section 197-(d) of the New York City
Charter.
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LU 0868-2021 Zoning, 343 Madison Avenue – MTA/HQ, Manhattan (C
20210370 ZSM)
Application No. C 20210370 ZSM (343 Madison Avenue –
MTA/HQ) submitted by BP 347 Madison Associates, LLC and
Metropolitan Transportation Authority pursuant to Sections
197-c and 201 of the New York City Charter for the grant of a
special permit pursuant to Section 81-633 of the Zoning
Resolution to allow an increase in floor area in excess of the
basic maximum floor area ratio established in the Table in
Section 81-63 (Special Floor Area Provisions for the
Vanderbilt Corridor Subarea) up to a maximum floor area as
set forth in such Table, in connection with a proposed
commercial development, on property located at 343 Madison
Avenue (Block 1279, Lots 23, 24, 25 & 48), in a C5-3
District, within the Special Midtown District (Vanderbilt
Corridor Subarea), Borough of Manhattan, Community
District 5, Council District 4.
Approved with Modifications and Referred to the City Planning
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I wonder what modifications they want.
“Please build something nicer”
If only. Those people wouldn’t know quality if it bit them in the arse.
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I wish towers like this kept the facade of the buildings that previous occupied the spot as their base, like what the one a bit south of Columbus Circle did.
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Speaking of, this one has been approved
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It’s likely internal work or preparation still ongoing for exterior demolition.
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