The lifecycle of these buildings won’t exceed 200.
2 Likes
Wrong.
2 Likes
The Empire State Building is 95 years old.
It is going nowhere. The buildings being built today are even more impressive structurally.
These are the American pyramids.
God willing, they will stand for thousands of years.
If it ceases function as a hotel and ride, it will be converted into residential, making it even more difficult to tear down, and providing it even more incentive for upkeep.
3 Likes
Structure is one thing, but in terms of exterior finish, the Torch hardly holds a candle to the ESB.
9 Likes
This is not the Empire State Building and not one of the high profile skyscrapers (like the WTC), with 14,000psi+ concrete cores and robust composite structures.
It’s a simple and generic concrete skeleton, will come and go just like many skyscrapers were.
Also, it’ll be an eyesore - first the value engineering of the top, and now the Holiday Inn Trim 
15 Likes
I’ll wait to see the end result of this project before I judge it. I don’t mind developers trying something different but the finish product will make or break it.
24 Likes
We have to remember that ODA are the architects. So far I like that the cladding is a lighter shade and the glass looks highly reflective without much distortion. If you look at the recessed elevation facing 8th Avenue you can see undulations in the floorplates. I think that cladding will be different from the hotel portion and continue up to the crown. It will also be interesting to see how they clad the cutouts in the base.
7 Likes
Facade is looking better.
2 Likes
The cladding on the central mass will just be faceted glass. This aspect hasn’t changed from the initial design, just the massing of the central volume has.
2 Likes
Waiting for the façade to rise higher.
2 Likes
Wish the opaque sections of the facade had more depth—maybe with a chevron-type profile to minimize view disruption for guests.
1 Like
I really hope this turns out better than I expect it to.
3 Likes
That’s what I’m waiting for as well!
3 Likes
Even though I’m disappointed so far, at least the glass itself is crisp and relatively distortionless!
2 Likes
So basically, it will look like one of the xyz buildings on 6th ave
4 Likes
Only without the heft and gravitas, like a plastic version of X or Y or Z
4 Likes
At best.
2 Likes
