isn’t 655 Madison by the same architect?
Ramsas First Supertall
The Age of Ramses
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The age of Ramses
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The Age of Ramsa
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NIce vantage point on the construction site: thanks.
A lot of the photos and commentary on this (and much of the YIMBY forum) thread highlight the process of Constructing Buildings. I am reminded of a recent article I read by Brendan Bechtel: “we must build the builders”.
Take a read, or better yet - a LISTEN. There is an audio option to listen to this article.
BTW - sorry if you hit a paywall. I seems to appear when linked here; but not when I open from a general google search. Try that option of you hit the paywall on this article. 
Here is the AI overview if you can not access the full article -
“To build the builders” is an initiative and core philosophy by the Bechtel Corporation focused on solving the skilled labor shortage. It aims to recruit, train, and empower the next generation of trade workers, engineers, and construction professionals needed for future infrastructure. [1, 2]
The Workforce Challenge
- The U.S. faces a massive shortage of trained professionals in the skilled trades.
- Experts estimate a need for tens of thousands of new workers in roles like welding, pipefitting, and electrical work.
- Demand is driven by major investments in clean energy, manufacturing, and national infrastructure. [1]
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Is the armory landmarked?
How many building are getting demolished on this site?
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It is.
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Three different buildings that were all conjoined together was demolished.
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I still see a building in the back covered in scaffolding though,unless that’s something else
That would be the third building getting demolished. (47 W 66th)
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I’m rather shocked that the NIMBYs didn’t put up at least token resistance. I suppose they did initially; but perhaps the concept of “writing on the wall” just might even now be starting to dawn on some of them, pity the benighted lot,
This is completrly false. As others pointed out, the NIMBYs at Landmark West were fearmongering about this one.
NIMBYs complain when a dense building is in a neighborhood of smaller structures becauae it is “out of character” and they complain when a building is surrounded by other dense structures because “the neighborhood is already full.” The only thing they dont complain about is destructive greenfield sprawl that is far away from any other homes— out of sight and out of mind. And thats what America ends up building the most.
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It seems they put up resistance, but their only real option here was to convince the city council to downzone the site, which they tried to do:
https://www.landmarkwest.org/abc/
But fortunately the political atmosphere in NYC is very anti-downzoning these days, especially in ultra wealthy neighborhoods when the purpose is to stop mixed income housing.
I guess they couldve filed a frivolous lawsuit like the 200 Amsterdam lawsuit, but it would have to be pretty creative to avoid getting dismissed immediately. The claims about zoning lots that they used for 200 Amsterdam werent going to fly since they lost that case decisively.
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Hopefully this starts back up soon
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Wow! You totally missed my point. I suggested that because5 the area already has lots of big buildings opposition to this new one is likely to be weak and ineffective. I am no-t at all opposed] to this project and I am not a thoughtless NIMBY.
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My point is that the usual NIMBY suspects already launched a campaign against this years ago. They even went as far as making a website about it, with alarmist renderings, and lobbying city council. They failed, not because there are tall buildings nearby, but because the political zeitgeist has changed and nobody wants to be caught downzoning to block affordable housing in rich neighborhoods in Manhattan anymore.
No downzoning campaign has succeeeded anywhere in NYC since the early 2015 due to this vibe shift, which has only gained steam in the past 10 years.
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