One Manhattna Square from Cherry Street; CityRealty
In Manhattan, it’s getting harder and harder to build stand-out skyscrapers that present occupants with far-reaching views. With zoning in many neighborhoods calling for “contextual” heights, and with the city’s high-rise districts bursting with ever-taller towers, it has become an expensive proposition for developers to build towers that offer residents more than a view into the building next door.
In Midtown and the Financial District the only option remains for developer is "to build higher", which frequently requires pricey air rights transfers or legal and political maneuvering with city agencies and community groups. Some developers have had their architects shape and angle their buildings to focus on slivers of views and to secure more light and air into the units (i.e.160 Madison Avenue and Metropolitan Tower). And other savvy and/or well-financed builders have found opportune sites alongside parks, waterways or at the edge of high-rise districts —views that buyers and renters will pay a premium for.
In Midtown and the Financial District the only option remains for developer is "to build higher", which frequently requires pricey air rights transfers or legal and political maneuvering with city agencies and community groups. Some developers have had their architects shape and angle their buildings to focus on slivers of views and to secure more light and air into the units (i.e.160 Madison Avenue and Metropolitan Tower). And other savvy and/or well-financed builders have found opportune sites alongside parks, waterways or at the edge of high-rise districts —views that buyers and renters will pay a premium for.
Northern view from One Manhattan Square; Extell Marketing Group
South-facing view of the East River and harbor; Extell Marketing Group
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One Manhattan Square and the downtown skyline; Extell Marketing Group
Extell’s One Manhattan Square uses all three prospects. Steadily rising from a superblock site at 252 South Street, the building’s concrete superstructure is nearly half-way up its final 800-foot height. The view-making-machine will rise unabashedly tall and when finished, it will claim the highest rooftop between downtown and Midtown Manhattan. The building overlooks the East River waterfront on one side and the mid-rise neighborhood of Two Bridges on the other. The building's architects, Adamson Associates, angled the the building’s bulk to orient nearly every unit with postcard views of either the East River or the skyline.
L: View of One Manhattan Square from Pike Slip; R: Rendering of 205-unit affordable housing building sharing the site; Dattner Architects
Looking up at the reflective glass skin; CityRealty
252 South Street; CityRealty
Now more than 30 stories tall, the building is already dominating vistas from Brooklyn, Chinatown and the harbor. The building’s east and west elevations are being covered in a shimmering reflective skin while the narrower north-south elevations sport a darker-colored skin. The double-slab tower rises from a large podium which will host more than 100,000 square feet of indoor and outdoor amenities. The very long roster of amenities will include a multi-level fitness center, three swimming pools, a bowling alley, a full-size basketball court, golf simulators, squash court, a yoga studio, a cinema and performance center, children's playroom and teen arcade. The project's lowest levels will be occupied by two large retail spaces, one of which is expected to be for a full-service grocery store.
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Interiors designed by Meyer Davis Studio will come in two finish packages. Each kitchen is equipped with custom cabinetry, Miele premium appliances and Dornbracht fittings. Master bathrooms are finished in ocean blue travertine and mosaic tiles.
U.S. sales officially launched this past November and are being handled by Extell Marketing Group. As of last month 80 units have already been accounted for, including one of the building’s two penthouses. According to the WSJ, the building’s average price per square foot stands at $1,600, far lower than the $2,025 per ft² average condo asking price we’ve recorded for the Lower East Side. Presently available are four 1-bedroom units starting at $1.19 million, 4 two-bedrooms starting from $2.03 million and two 3-bedrooms starting from $3.498 million. Occupancy is slated for fall of 2018.
Master bedroom; Extell Marketing Group
Kitchen; Extell Marketing Group
Kitchen, Extell Marketing Group
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