[sparkling]

Trinity Place complex gets a new look — and a new name

Lois Weiss
January 27, 2016

Plans have been crystallized for the redevelopment of the former Syms complex at 28-42 Trinity Place, which will now be known as 77 Greenwich St.

The upcoming 500-foot-tall glass condominium tower will also have a new grammar school at its base, as well as 7,000 square feet of retail.

Despite other renderings and rumors that proclaimed the project as a super-tall structure of 1,000 feet, it will be just half that height and much less expensive to build, but still have river and harbor views.

“There were a lot of fun rumors,” says Trinity Place Holdings President and CEO Matthew Messinger.

The former Forest City exec is leading the Trinity team that will now move toward shovels in the ground for the 285,000-square-foot development.

Earlier this week, the School Construction Authority announced the deal to create a new 476-seat pre-K to fifth grade school, which will serve today’s local stroller set and ever-expanding downtown families. The school will be incorporated into the first nine stories in the concrete base of the tower as well as the adjacent landmarked Dickey House at 28-30 Trinity Place.

Inclusion of the school pushes the lowest residential floors to 150 feet so that every unit will have a water view, Messinger said.

Plans now call for a boutique building of roughly 85 units, although the unit mix will “bounce around modestly” as they tweak towards the family sized market.

FXFOWLE architects has designed what will be an LEED-rated building while minimalist Deborah Berke Partners is taking the lead on apartment and amenity spaces that are “warm and comfortable.”

A roof deck is in the mix, among other amenities. The lower portion will also have bike storage and a dog spa area. “I’ve been surprised at how many dogs are in the neighborhood,” Messinger observed.

Across the street, the Elizabeth Berger Plaza, named after the late head of the Downtown Alliance, is also being enlarged into a half-acre park as a tiny street is being demapped.

Messinger declined to discuss pricing, but given the ongoing demand, local super-tall competition and the project’s completion date likely in 2019, it will probably start well over $2,000 to $3,000 per square foot. The Marketing Directors will handle sales.

The precise design and tint of the glass outer wall structure is also in flux as Messinger meets with curtain wall architects. “Every time I look, there are technology changes,” he says.


28-42 Trinity Place will now be known as 77 Greenwich St.