While the Omicron variant has forced Eric Adams to cancel his inauguration gala at Kings Theater in Brooklyn, he will nevertheless be sworn in as mayor of New York City on January 1, 2022. He will take office at a time when New York City has seen the number of jobs grow by 22 percent since 2010, but the number of homes only grew by four percent in that same time period. This puts New York’s new housing construction far behind major cities like Los Angeles, San Francisco, Boston, Seattle, and Austin; it has also resulted in housing prices out of reach to the typical buyer or renter (CityRealty listings put the Manhattan’s median rent at $4,196/month and median condo price at $2.425 million).
During his campaign, Mr. Adams emerged as a proponent of converting vacant office towers and hotels to affordable housing units. His housing plan also called for upzoning wealthy areas to allow for more affordable units, and for legalizing basement units, single-room occupancy units, and small accessory units. In an editorial in the Daily News, grassroots group Open New York concurs with his plan for upzoning wealthy Manhattan neighborhoods, while urging him to upzone certain sections of Brooklyn and Queens for denser housing. As we wait to see how all this plays out, we take a look at newly revealed buildings on the horizon for New York. P.S. Many of these designs could use a bit more imagination.
During his campaign, Mr. Adams emerged as a proponent of converting vacant office towers and hotels to affordable housing units. His housing plan also called for upzoning wealthy areas to allow for more affordable units, and for legalizing basement units, single-room occupancy units, and small accessory units. In an editorial in the Daily News, grassroots group Open New York concurs with his plan for upzoning wealthy Manhattan neighborhoods, while urging him to upzone certain sections of Brooklyn and Queens for denser housing. As we wait to see how all this plays out, we take a look at newly revealed buildings on the horizon for New York. P.S. Many of these designs could use a bit more imagination.
In this article:
35 Fourth Avenue, Boerum Hill
Design by S. Wieder Architects | Completion TBA
Design by S. Wieder Architects | Completion TBA
In September 2020, demolition permits were filed for a two-story commercial building at 35 Fourth Avenue, a prime Boerum Hill site just a stone’s throw from Barclays Center, 5th Avenue dining, and the myriad transportation options of Atlantic Avenue-Barclays Center. More recently, renderings have emerged of a 16-story building to replace it. The design by S. Wieder Architects towers over the other buildings on the block, and uses a series of cantilevers to further expand the building’s floorplate.
Given the uses proposed for the new building, it needs all the space it can get - the project developed by Joel Weiss of 35 Holdings LLC calls for a community facility, retail space, a 48-vehicle parking garage, and 104 rental units on top. The rendering depicts private balconies, recessed outdoor space, and a large outdoor terrace; further residential amenities have not yet been announced.
Given the uses proposed for the new building, it needs all the space it can get - the project developed by Joel Weiss of 35 Holdings LLC calls for a community facility, retail space, a 48-vehicle parking garage, and 104 rental units on top. The rendering depicts private balconies, recessed outdoor space, and a large outdoor terrace; further residential amenities have not yet been announced.
Waterview at Greenpoint, Greenpoint
Design by CetraRuddy | Completion estimated for 2023
Design by CetraRuddy | Completion estimated for 2023
Rendering of new towers at 77 Commercial Street to bring over 700 apartments to Greenpoint
Designed by CetraRuddy, Waterview at Greenpoint is set to comprise a seven-story podium, a 40-story tower, and a 30-story tower with a total of 720 units between them (200 of which will be affordable). The buildings have just begun to rise and will join Greenpoint Landing next door in ushering thousands of units to the low-scale Brooklyn neighborhood.
The 30-story, 222-unit tower at 77 Commercial Street will offer such amenities as a fitness center, children’s playroom, and accessory terrace. Amenities at the 40-story, 298-unit tower at 87 Commercial Street will include a fitness center, pool with locker rooms, library, and outdoor terrace. Upon completion, residents can be assured of dramatic views of the waterfront and the Manhattan skyline, not to mention new Long Island City vistas - it is directly across Newton Creek from a pair of massive towers in Hunters Point South.
The 30-story, 222-unit tower at 77 Commercial Street will offer such amenities as a fitness center, children’s playroom, and accessory terrace. Amenities at the 40-story, 298-unit tower at 87 Commercial Street will include a fitness center, pool with locker rooms, library, and outdoor terrace. Upon completion, residents can be assured of dramatic views of the waterfront and the Manhattan skyline, not to mention new Long Island City vistas - it is directly across Newton Creek from a pair of massive towers in Hunters Point South.
In addition to the new housing units, Waterview at Greenpoint will feature a 300-space underground parking garage, approximately 25,000 square feet of retail space, and community outdoor space designed by MPFP and set to connect to Greenpoint Landing through an esplanade. It is next door to an MTA bus parking lot that is set to become Box Street Park.
1710 Broadway, Midtown West
Design by SLCE Architects | Completion estimated for 2024
Design by SLCE Architects | Completion estimated for 2024
Extell, the busiest skyscraper builder in America, appears to be moving forward on a large and long-planned tower near Times Square. From a prominent corner site located at 1715 Broadway and West 54th Street, the developer has filed plans to erect a 54-story hotel with 670 rooms. Documents submitted to the NYC Department of Buildings reveal images from the project's wind tunnel test, which ensures the wind plays nice with the building's structural and non-structural components, in addition to its occupants.
Earlier this year, Patch reported that demolition permits for the existing building had been filed. Originally opened in 1917 as a showroom for the Ford Motor Company, the stately building has been in development purgatory since at least 2012 when Cushman & Wakefield marketed the historic property as an opportunity to create "a rare, full-building headquarters strategically located between Times Square and Columbus Circle." The building also served as the long-time headquarters of Sean Combs' Bad Boy Entertainment.
The wind tunnel images show the new tower's base will be similar in scale and fenestration to the old Ford Motor Company building, giving hope that its limestone facade will be saved and integrated into the tower. Permit filings do not suggest this, however. SLCE is listed as the architect of record and the tower will rise sheer after a setback on the fifth floor. The Broadway facade will have a subtle crease and there will be two rows of picture windows facing south. The slender tower will rise 633 feet to its roof, making it one of the tallest hotel buildings in the country. The tallest hotel in the U.S. just happens to be the Marriott Residence Inn located directly across the street. Extell has a 463-foot-tall residential tower in the works on the southeast end of the block (201 West 54th Street) which can be seen in the image above.
24 Fayette Street, Bushwick
Design by Builtd | Completion estimated for 2022
Design by Builtd | Completion estimated for 2022
All renderings of 24 Fayette Street via Builtd
Brooklyn has seen a boom in boutique condominiums over the last few years, and the latest entrant is 24 Fayette Street. Construction is underway on the five-story building, which will include grade-level retail, six one-bedroom apartments, and a two-bedroom apartment on the fifth floor. Renderings by Builtd show a common garden and private balconies in every unit, and permits indicate that amenities will include a fitness center, storage, and rooftop terrace. An offering plan filed in July 2021 lists a $6.2 million sellout price.
620 West 153rd Street, Hamilton Heights
Design by J Frankl Architects | Completion estimated for 2023
Design by J Frankl Architects | Completion estimated for 2023
All renderings of 620 West 153rd Street via J Frankl Architects
According to architect J Frankl Architect’s Instagram page, construction on a mixed-use Hamilton Heights tower is expected to commence next year. The 28-story tower will feature a community facility and 238 apartments on top. Residential amenities will include a lounge, co-working space, fitness center, bike room, and such outdoor offerings as a children’s playground, Pet Park, outdoor kitchens, dining area, and rooftop terrace with 360-degree views. Riverbank Park is half a block away, and the site is close to popular area restaurants, local schools, and the 155th Street A/C trains.
31-48 Crescent Street, Astoria
Design by C3D Architects | Completion TBA
Design by C3D Architects | Completion TBA
All renderings of 31-48 Crescent Street via C3D Architects
Over the past few years, Astoria has cultivated a vibrant cultural scene, eclectic dining options, and a robust residential renaissance. A new entrant is 31-48 Crescent Street, a seven-story residential building. Renderings by C3D Architects depict a two-toned building with floor-to-ceiling windows, private balconies in every unit, and a green roof. It is located in a prime section of Astoria near Broadway dining, Astoria Bookshop, Socrates Sculpture Park, and the Broadway N/W trains, but would-be residents will have to wait: While demolition permits have been filed for the two-story house currently on-site, permits for the new building have not yet been filed.
1300 Jefferson Street, Hoboken
Design by Fogarty Finger Architects | Completion TBA
Design by Fogarty Finger Architects | Completion TBA
All renderings of 1300 Jefferson Street via Fogarty Finger Architects
Over the summer, Hoboken’s city council struck a deal with developer Pegasus Partners for a new full-block development at 1300 Jefferson Street. Renderings by Fogarty Finger Architects depict a five-story podium, to include a 304-space parking component, and sections measuring 11, 16, and 18 stories. Under the deal, it will top out at 184 feet high.
At street level, the new building will feature over 24,500 square feet of retail space and a 5,234-square-foot public plaza. The 357 apartments on top are expected to comprise 30 studios, 120 one-bedrooms, 182 two-bedrooms, and 25 three-bedrooms. Amenities will include a fitness center, 17th-floor pool, and several active roof terraces. The developer is targeting LEED Silver certification.
At street level, the new building will feature over 24,500 square feet of retail space and a 5,234-square-foot public plaza. The 357 apartments on top are expected to comprise 30 studios, 120 one-bedrooms, 182 two-bedrooms, and 25 three-bedrooms. Amenities will include a fitness center, 17th-floor pool, and several active roof terraces. The developer is targeting LEED Silver certification.
Under an agreement with the city of Hoboken, Pegasus Partners will construct 20 affordable units in this new building as well as 17 units for homeless veterans next to the American Legion Post 107 on Second Street. It will also contribute $3 million to the city towards the construction of a new pool and community recreation center. However, as the city’s planning board still needs to approve the project, construction is still some time off.
419 East 91st Street, Yorkville
Design by J Frankl Architects | Completion estimated for 2022
Design by J Frankl Architects | Completion estimated for 2022
Rendering via J Frankl Architects
Just months after 419 East 91st Street sold for $4.3 million in summer 2020, Community Board 8 unanimously voted in favor of a safe haven shelter for the site (as opposed to the hotel and community space described on J Frankl Architect’s Instagram page). Developer Goddard Riverside describes this type of shelter as “an intermediate step” for homeless people seeking permanent housing, and it comes at a time when the city’s affordable housing and homelessness crises show no sign of abating.
The seven-story, pet-friendly building will provide 88 beds for homeless men and women, personal space, lockers, three meals a day plus snacks, recreational and wellness activities, and medical and psychiatric care. Staff will include 24-hour security as well as case management workers dedicated to helping residents achieve permanent housing. Demolition of the building previously on-site commenced in November 2021, and opening is estimated for 2022.
The seven-story, pet-friendly building will provide 88 beds for homeless men and women, personal space, lockers, three meals a day plus snacks, recreational and wellness activities, and medical and psychiatric care. Staff will include 24-hour security as well as case management workers dedicated to helping residents achieve permanent housing. Demolition of the building previously on-site commenced in November 2021, and opening is estimated for 2022.
360 Bowery, Noho
Design by Morris Adjmi Architects | Completion estimated for spring 2023
Design by Morris Adjmi Architects | Completion estimated for spring 2023
All renderings of 360 Bowery via Morris Adjmi Architects
Around this time last year, demolition permits were filed for B Bar & Grill, a gas station turned dining hot spot at the junction of the East Village and Noho. Some speculated that a hotel was in the works for the site, which is just up the block from Bowery Hotel, but banner ads for full-floor office suites appeared over the summer.
The 110,000-square-foot, 21-story project is taking shape in a partnership with CBSK Ironstate and Morris Adjmi Architects, and described as “a contemporary reinterpretation of the traditional glass office tower.” The tiered tower’s curtain wall features dark gray aluminum frames, blush-colored GFRC spandrel panels, and open corners with structural joints hidden behind the glass windows.
The 110,000-square-foot, 21-story project is taking shape in a partnership with CBSK Ironstate and Morris Adjmi Architects, and described as “a contemporary reinterpretation of the traditional glass office tower.” The tiered tower’s curtain wall features dark gray aluminum frames, blush-colored GFRC spandrel panels, and open corners with structural joints hidden behind the glass windows.
Floor-to-ceiling single-pane windows promise to fill the spaces with incredible light, and, in a nod to what has become a highly in-demand amenity in both residential and commercial settings, renderings show lushly planted terraces on the seventh, tenth, and seventeenth floors. Perks are also expected to include fitness amenities and conference space. Occupancy is expected for spring 2023.
261 Grand Concourse, Mott Haven
Design by S. Wieder Architect | Completion estimated for 2023
Design by S. Wieder Architect | Completion estimated for 2023
Plans were filed earlier this month to bring a 12-story, 96-unit rental development to 261 Grand Concourse
in the Mott Haven neighborhood of the South Bronx. Located just off the Madison Avenue Bridge and East 138th Street. The designer at hand (and author of these renderings) is S. Wieder Architect
who drew up a slim building with oversized windows, several rows of balconies, and amenity spaces that include a common roof deck and fitness center. The building will join hundreds of new units in the works for the Mott Haven.
Credit: S. Wieder Architect
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