That thin tube-like tower was never a serious proposal for this site. It was a concept/vision by an architecture firm with no connection to the actual developer.
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I think that’s awfully callous to say that it was never a serious proposal. It seems ambitious enough. While it is true that it is a concept/vision by an unaffiliated architecture firm, it still seems like a serious proposal that should be considered.
Its not callous, its the truth. if they dont have any involvement in the project then its an unsolicited design/ project that the firm did.
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This building just doesn’t get better. I really need to see an official rendering not just the mast, because the mast sucks. Though I will enjoy that observation deck if this gets built.
Agreed. Although if the diagrams show all structure then I cant imagine the massing will change too drastically once the façade is on. Hope I’m wrong.
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Barnett has lost it.
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On this project, he’s certainly dropped the ball big time. I am getting so sick of these voids and terraces. Check out the last renderings @bmosborne released. Out of the three proposals, which looks like it would fit in the NYC skyline the best?
Again, I will die on the hill that the RB systems proposal actually seemed like it could add a unique bit of lighting to the West Side skyline with those LED-fitted structural support cables, had a great program for the interiors with those custom desks that hung from above, and generally fit pretty well into the edgier neighborhood dynamic of Hell’s Kitchen, yet still be able to bring that special Times Square flair to the West Side at the same time. The previous Extell proposal is still out there for a less risky filler building along 8th Avenue itself. Unsolicited or not, that design kicks the ass of any other design.
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I think it’s time for New York to get a mega tall.
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Sure, it’s a great looking design, and hopefully someone solicits that firm to design a real tower someday. But there’s no point getting hung up on a spec design that was never going to be built on this site… much less forcing the thread to dwell on it.
I could see the rationale if it had been a response to a developer’s RFP that got passed over for a different design, but continuing to post about this here would be like filling the WTC thread with renderings from architects who weren’t even invited to the design competition.
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I can’t imagine they’ll actually let this get built. It would utterly devastate the skyline from Hoboken/Union City which is one of the premier angles. There is no justification for so much height without stuff actually occupying those floors. That bulb on top is shockingly stupid and unattractive, I can’t think of a single architect or normal NYer who would be satisfied with a design like that
Maybe we should all wait until there are actual renderings before we jump to conclusions.
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Agreed. This is just the mast, we should wait.
If I recall correctly zoning authorities have changed the regs about floors with no purpose except gaining height to make them much more difficult to build. That came up with the new building proposed for 66th Street west of CPW.
I think that was pertaining to mechanical voids.
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BK1985: That’s correct. Seems like it might apply here (or at least should) but I don’t know the wording of the new rules.
I may be alone in this, but if this even remotely resembles what will rise on the site… I love it. It’s no more grotesque than the rest of the junk all around TS, and is at least a unique form that would no doubt add some variety to that part of the skyline without being as soaring of a monstrosity as Tower Fifth. Time will tell what rises here but I’m hopeful so far.
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I agree! Everyone is judging this tower over an undetailed, early diagram. This has the potential to be a new landmark. Even if it is ugly in the end, it’s in good company on that neck of the skyline.
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New renderings over on SSP.
This building is awesome.
They’d be celebrating it as a new Empire State Building in Atlanta, Houston, Dallas, Miami.
Reminds me of the Space Needle.
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