SHOP ARCHITECTS’ DANCING TOWERS BREAK GROUND ON FIRST AVENUE IN NEW YORK
FRIDAY, AUGUST 2, 2013
NICOLE ANDERSON.
First Avenue Development (Courtesy of SHoP Architects)
After a decade-long wait, construction commenced in late July on a pair of conjoined rental towers designed by SHoP Architects on an empty parcel on First Avenue between 35th and 36th Streets. The New York Times reported that the two copper buildings, consisting of 800 units and reaching up to 49 and 40 stories, will be connected by a sky bridge. The luxury development will boast high-end amenities and facilities such as indoor lap pool, rooftop deck with infinity pool, fitness center, squash court, and film screening room.
Sky Bridge between two towers (Courtesy of SHoP Architects)
These dancing towers will be a visual departure for this area around Turtle Bay, which is home to a cluster of hospitals and medical centers and bereft of much new contemporary architecture. Vishaan Chakrabarti, a partner at SHoP Architects, told the Times that the copper veiled facades were inspired from Richard Serra’s twisted sheet metal sculptures. Also in the works is a privately-operated park and an elementary school if City Planning gives the developer JDS Development the green light.
Night View of First Avenue Development (Courtesy of SHoP Architects)
The construction site flooded during Hurricane Sandy, so now the two buildings are being prepped for future storms. JDS Development said they are planning on placing mechanicals above grade, and considering floodgates and backup generators.
Rooftop Pool (Courtesy of SHoP Architects)
JDS Development purchased the roughly one-acre parcel from developer Sheldon H. Solow who had originally tapped Richard Meier and Skidmore Owings & Merrill to design 7 towers on this sprawling 9.2-acre site.
The development is expected to be completed by early 2016.
June 1st
Tectonic
