NEW YORK | 20 Times Square - Port Authority Bus Terminal Tower | 855 FT | 42 FLOORS

[antinimby]

Turning the Bus Terminal Into a Skyscraper

http://graphics8.nytimes.com/images/2008/07/24/nyregion/port.large.jpg
From left to right: Proposal by the firm Pelli Clarke Pelli Architects of New Haven; Rogers Stirk Harbour & Partners; Manhattan architectural firm
Kohn Pedersen Fox. (Renderings: Port Authority of New York and New Jersey)


By David W. Dunlap
July 24, 2008 (http://cityroom.blogs.nytimes.com/2008/07/24/turning-the-bus-terminal-into-a-skyscraper/), 1:30 pm

The on-again, off-again plans to build an office tower over the Port Authority Bus Terminal took at least a conceptual step forward on Thursday afternoon with the unveiling of three possible designs by three leading architectural firms.

Easily the most striking of the three is a constructivist assemblage by the London firm Rogers Stirk Harbour & Partners, which is also designing Tower 3 at the World Trade Center site. It takes the form of four discrete boxes stacked atop one another and bound together by open diagonal trusswork that echoes the bold X-shaped steel braces girdling the main terminal below.

In complete contrast, for its suavity and lucidity, is a proposal by the Manhattan firm Kohn Pedersen Fox Architects. The central element of this plan is a sheer, glass-clad tower whose surface has an almost icy gleam. In this plan, the X braces would recede in importance behind a screen.

Somewhere between these two is the proposal by Pelli Clarke Pelli Architects of New Haven, whose overall form is monolithic but accentuated with a curtain wall on the north and south sides in a kind of monumental basketweave pattern.

The 40-story, 1.3-million-square-foot office tower is to be developed by a joint venture of Vornado Realty Trust and the Lawrence Ruben Company, which is leasing the air rights over the terminal for 99 years.

Copyright 2008 The New York Times Company

[antinimby]

I'm more than delighted to say that Roger's proposal was chosen today as the winner of the competition...

Rogers wins New York tower contest

http://www.architectsjournal.co.uk/images/RogersNewYork_resized_250_tcm23-1916502.jpg

THE ARCHITECTS' JOURNAL
Published: 05 November 2008 (http://www.architectsjournal.co.uk/news/dailynews/2008/11/rogers_wins_new_york_tower_comp.html?tmcsTrackingInfo=$iRgx-mLwrNSVH9pIK-Ee6LPSlaiucl6t0P-LDiZTdFeNxE91KD9LCLRdVU2U09K03D4IprIDhsz$) 16:34 Author: Richard Vaughan

Rogers Stirk Harbour + Partners has won a competition to design a 42-storey skyscraper in Manhattan, New York.

The London-based practice saw off strong competitors in the shape of Pelli Clarke Pelli and KPF to bag the commission by the Port Authority of New York and New Jersey.

Rogers' new tower will be located above the northern wing of the Port Authority Bus Terminal in central Manhattan. The winner will be officially announced next week.

The practice's design was the smallest of the three, with Pelli and KPF submitting 47 and 48-storey towers respectively.

It is understood that the Port Authority is optimistic about the project, despite the financial chaos that is hitting New York at present and is hoping to start on site as early as spring 2009.

It will be the second skyscraper Rogers will design in Manhattan, after taking on Tower 3 at the World Trade Centre site, where he will work alongside Foster + Partners and Maki and Associates.

Copyright Emap 2008 - all rights reserved

[NYC2ATX]

no F way. :eek:

COOL! :hyper: :hyper: :hyper:

God forbid a redesign. *knock on wood*

[NYguy]

It is understood that the Port Authority is optimistic about the project, despite the financial chaos that is hitting New York at present and is hoping to start on site as early as spring 2009.

Now I'm just waiting for better renderings.

[NYguy]

Another look at the losing proposals:

Pelli Clarke Pelli: 945 FT | 47 FL

http://www.archpaper.com/uploads/PCP.jpg


Kohn Pedersen Fox: 790 FT | 48 FL

http://www.observer.com/files/Kohn%20Pedersen%20Fox-web.jpg

[NYguy]

http://www.observer.com/2008/law-firm-wants-one-third-tower-atop-port-authority-bus-terminal

Law Firm Wants One-Third of Port Authority Bus Terminal Tower

by Dana Rubinstein
May 5, 2008

http://www.observer.com/files/imagecache/article/files/portauthoritybusterminal.jpg


High-octane law firm Paul, Weiss, Rifkind, Wharton & Garrison is in negotiations with
Vornado Realty Trust to occupy space in the skyscraper that the real estate giant plans
to build on top of the Port Authority Bus Terminal.

A source close to the negotiations said that the law firm, which now occupies 400,000 square feet
at 1285 Avenue of the Americas, wants to take 500,000 square feet in the tower, which isn't
expected to be complete until 2012.

___________________________


http://www.observer.com/files/Rogers%20Stirk%20Harbour.jpg

[NYguy]

The tower will rise directly accross 8th Avenue from 11 Times Square, currently under construction.
An aerial pic of the terminal from Dan_DC (http://flickr.com/photos/dandc/)

http://farm4.static.flickr.com/3176/2817697453_b5c8d9b6f2_b.jpg


Currently the site is rooftop parking: (north wing)

http://www.pbase.com/nyguy/image/88713830/large.jpg


http://www.pbase.com/nyguy/image/88713839/large.jpg


http://www.pbase.com/nyguy/image/88713833/large.jpg


The new tower will fill up this frame: (parking shown is the south wing)

http://www.pbase.com/nyguy/image/88713808/large.jpg

[scalziand]

Sweeeeeeeeeeeeeeeet!

[samoen313]

actual renderings of the proposal would be nice. otherwise i'm going to say i don't like it as much as the kpf design. sure it's a little stoic, but it looked like it had massing down well. kpf just do glass and steel well too. no reason not to give it to them. i will commend the judges though on picking the riskier proposal of the designs submitted. but rogers skyscraper work, of late, has been a bit of a head-scratcher. this is also a personal opinion, so i'll leave it at that.

[HyperPower]

Please for the love of your own god, are they going to reburbish the bus terminal!?! That place is so crappy, NYC should have a nice bus terminal. Sometimes instead of driving I like to relax and take a Greyhound.

[Dac150]

Wasn't my first choice in design, but it's not a bad looking design at that, plus it's another 800+ footer for the city.

[NYC4Life]

New York Observer

Report: Rogers Picked To Design Vornado Tower Atop Port Authority

http://www.observer.com/files/imagecache/vertical/files/Rogers%20Stirk%20Harbour%20-%20web_1.jpg
PANYNJ.
Richard Rogers' design for a Port Authority Bus Terminal tower


by Eliot Brown | November 10, 2008

The London-based Architect’s Journal reports that British starchitect Lord Richard Rogers has won a contest to design the planned tower on top of the Port Authority Bus Terminal.

The tower, which Steve Roth’s Vornado would develop, is a proposed 42-story office building that invokes the crude, exoskeletal design of the bus station below. Should the news be correct, Mr. Rogers beat out designs by Pelli Clark Pelli and KPF.

This summer, when the Port Authority unveiled the three competing designs, the bi-state agency gave Vornado, in a venture with the Lawrence Ruben Company, an extra year—until August 2009—before it is supposed to fully sign off on the deal. The REIT has no tenant signed to take any space in the planned tower, which would go up across the street from a new 1 million-square-foot tower currently under construction, 11 Times Square. That tower is in the later stages of construction and still has no tenants, a worry for developer SJP Properties as the leasing market has slowed to a crawl.


© 2008 Observer Media Group, All Rights Reserved Worldwide.

[babybackribs2314]

Eh, I liked the KPF one best but this one looks interesting too... hopefully it'll be pretty with better renderings.

Since moving here (I'm on 60th) I pass by that area frequently... it'll be so much nicer in 10 years. What with Hudson Yards finally getting built by then (I guess it should be partially or almost finished by then) and this and several other towers going up (I'd assume more will be proposed), should be MUCH nicer. As of now... blech. Especially once you get west of Port Authority...

[CGII]

The NYT building almost certainly has the most broad front view of all the skyscrapers in Manhattan; its reign in that field will unfortunately be short, but the tower blocking it looks quite worthy to do it.

[WonderlandPark]

People actually like the KPF design, wtf? At least Pelli and Rogers tried. Glad Rogers won out, I just hope that it can go ahead in this economy. The other new Times Square tower kiddy corner is coming on the market 100% empty.

[scalziand]

People actually like the KPF design, wtf? At least Pelli and Rogers tried. Glad Rogers won out, I just hope that it can go ahead in this economy. The other new Times Square tower kiddy corner is coming on the market 100% empty.

uh....

Law Firm Wants One-Third of Port Authority Bus Terminal Tower

That good enough?

[Rise To The Top]

Looks like it has potential. we'll see when a render comes out. I wonder what type of glass they are going to use...

[WonderlandPark]

scalziand: "Wants" and "Signed a long-term lease" are two different things, especially now. And since said lease has not been signed in the last 6 months (article is May 5th), it makes you go hmmmm. I am sure this will go forward in some way or another, it is a high profile project involving the PA.

[Rico Rommheim]

http://farm4.static.flickr.com/3176/2817697453_b5c8d9b6f2_b.jpg

Jesus Herbert Christ almighty!

[Scruffy]

Slightly disappointed that Pelli lost this one but this is still very cool looking. Much better than the original proposal from years ago

http://farm4.static.flickr.com/3125/2609634412_4bf2820031_o.jpg

http://nymag.com/daily/intel/20070717pabt.jpg

[NYguy]

The other new Times Square tower kiddy corner is coming on the market 100% empty.

That one (11 TS - directly accross the street) was planned as a spec tower from the beginning. Vornado has said they wouldn't build the PA tower without a tenant, although they do have some sort of timeframe agreement with the Port Authority. Reportedly there was a law firm looking to take a third of the PA tower, but that was back in May...

http://www.observer.com/2008/law-firm-wants-one-third-tower-atop-port-authority-bus-terminal
High-octane law firm Paul, Weiss, Rifkind, Wharton & Garrison is in negotiations with Vornado Realty Trust to occupy space in the skyscraper that the real estate giant plans to build on top of the Port Authority Bus Terminal.

A source close to the negotiations said that the law firm, which now occupies 400,000 square feet at 1285 Avenue of the Americas, wants to take 500,000 square feet in the tower, which isn't expected to be complete until 2012.


I imagine it would be easier, once it's known what the actual building will look like, pretty renderings and all. Eight Avenue has been getting some interesting architecture, we'll see if this one can top the Hearst.

[AbC's]

i like this...I think it's a good building for the location and it will look ubercool

[NYC4Life]

Latest rendering from Curbed.com

http://curbed.com/uploads/2008_11_rogersnew.jpg

[scalziand]

Aww, the braces are gone.:(

[NYC4Life]

A more simplified boxy tower.

[UrbanSoldier]

Horrible! Can we get KPF's please?

[NYguy]

I feel a little cheated. But, the bracing is there, just different.

http://www.observer.com/files/Rogers%20Stirk%20Harbour.jpg_http://curbed.com/uploads/2008_11_rogersnew.jpg

But I do like the elevator/escalator concept.

[NYguy]

Larger look...and a spire revealed...

http://www.panynj.gov/AboutthePortAuthority/images/Close-up_Rendering_2008-11-04_medium.jpg

[NYguy]

http://panynj.com/AboutthePortAuthority/PressCenter/PressReleases/PressRelease/index.php?id=1154

ARCHITECT CHOSEN FOR PLANNED OFFICE TOWER ABOVE PORT AUTHORITY BUS TERMINAL’S NORTH WING

November 17, 2008

A New York City development team and the Port Authority today announced the selection of a design by a world-renowned architectural firm for a major office tower to be built on top of the Port Authority Bus Terminal.

The development team 20 X Square Associates, LLC, a joint venture of Vornado Realty Trust and affiliates of Lawrence Ruben Company, announced the selection of architectural firm Rogers Stirk Harbour + Partners for construction of the tower and renovations to the bus terminal.

Over the past three decades, Rogers Stirk Harbour + Partners, formerly Richard Rogers Partnership, has become world renowned and won dozens of international architectural awards. The practice is currently working on major projects around the world, including the British Museum in London, a significant mixed-use development in Seoul, Korea, the design for 175 Greenwich Street at the World Trade Center site and major master plans in London, Granada and Rome.

The proposed air rights development will add approximately 1.3 million square feet of sustainable first-class office space above the terminal and allow for significant improvements to the terminal facility, including new mass transit opportunities for commuters through increased bus capacity and the renovation of approximately 40,000 square feet within the existing North Wing for retail use.

Port Authority Chairman Anthony R. Coscia said, “This project will deliver important mass transit benefits for hundreds of thousands of daily commuters. Today’s challenging economy imposes a premium on spending public funds responsibly, and this partnership with the private sector enables the Port Authority to meet its ambitious transportation goals for the region.”

Port Authority Executive Director Chris Ward said, “These are the kinds of creative partnerships that we need more of, particularly during such challenging economic times. Not only will it add to the revitalization of the West Side, but most importantly, it will help modernize one of the most critical transportation hubs in the region – transforming the 60-year-old bus facility by adding new transportation capacity, easy to access bus gates, high quality retail and other customer amenities.”

In addition to the office tower, the redevelopment will include:

-better pedestrian circulation with new escalators from gates to the ground floor;

-the renovation and creation of approximately 40,000 square feet of bus terminal retail;

-18 new bus gates and upgraded existing gates, enabling an additional 70 buses containing approximately 3,000 bus passengers to be accommodated during each peak hour at the bus terminal, increasing the capacity by 18 percent; and

-an improved and modernized appearance throughout the terminal.


The Port Authority Bus Terminal opened in 1950 and has become the busiest bus passenger facility in the world, handling 7,000 buses and 200,000 commuters each day. It includes 223 bus gates, retail and commercial space, and public parking for 1,250 vehicles. It provides bus service for travel in the New York-New Jersey region, as well as long-distance service to almost any point in the United States, Canada and Mexico. Since it opened, more than three billion passengers have used this terminal.

[lakegz]

Looks like the Chase Manhattan building's deconstructivist brother. take off a floor and they're the same height too. It's a 7.5 scratching an 8 in my book. I liked the KPF building to be honest. That was a sharp looking tower.

[NYC2ATX]

The base in the new rendering reminds me so much of the Centre Pompidou in Paris ...I still like it. The escalators are awesome. That's the first thing I'm checking out when the building is done. :D

[Patrick]

Thats seriously ugly, I want the original bracing back! And of course a totally uneeded spire.

[NYguy]

The base in the new rendering reminds me so much of the Centre Pompidou in Paris ...I still like it. The escalators are awesome. That's the first thing I'm checking out when the building is done. :D

Get in line buddy....;)

Looks like the Chase Manhattan building's deconstructivist brother.

Good call on Chase...

And of course a totally uneeded spire.

I could do without the spire also. It's too thin for one thing, and doesn't really relate to the building. Maybe its just a nod to the Times tower.

[lakegz]

oh yea forgot about the spire....now it doesn't resemble the Chase building at all!

i wonder if the 855 is spire height making this thing really 750 feet or so.

[Antares41]

oh yea forgot about the spire....now it doesn't resemble the Chase building at all!

i wonder if the 855 is spire height making this thing really 750 feet or so.

More like that fact that it already sitting on top of the bus terminal is what makes it 855ft from street level. Does look more like a 750ft bldg., which is not a complaint on my part.

On another note! I wish it would remain the more daring version that was first submitted. I suspect engineering and maintenance cost probably contributed to it simplification. Still will make a wonderful addition to 42nd street and also 8th Avenue.:yes:

[WonderlandPark]

Too bad the value engineered out the cool bracing, but it is a decent looking tower. And the base is freaking awesome.

[NYC4Life]

I honestly don't have much if a problem with the latest design. Think of what's there now and that is truly horrendous. Walking down the bus terminal is like walking down a dark alley and being affraid of getting mugged. Regardless of the tower's design, it is a vast improvement from the current site.

[Fabb]

The structure lacks clarity.
Maybe it's intentional ?

[Crawford]

i wonder if the 855 is spire height making this thing really 750 feet or so.

I doubt it, at least according to the rendering and project description.

The offices only begin at 150 feet (above the current bus station, supports, and a skylobby), which would mean the entire new structure would only be 600 feet or so, which is almost impossible for a modern 42 floor office tower, especially with space for trading floors.

Also, the two buildings to the right of the rendering look puny compared to the new tower. The building on the far right is over 600 feet, so (assuming the rendering is somewhat accurate) there's no way the new office tower is only 750 feet.

[HyperPower]

I looks WAY OUT OF PLACE, the one thing I hate about Rogers, is his childish and colorful designs that take the class right out of the building. Three WTC escaped this because it needed to be conservative to fill the needs of commercial/business savy tenants.

[NYguy]

the two buildings to the right of the rendering look puny compared to the new tower. The building on the far right is over 600 feet, so (assuming the rendering is somewhat accurate) there's no way the new office tower is only 750 feet.

The McGraw Hill building directly next to this tower is nearly 500 ft. This one reaches 855 easily from that rendering. Now that we have this, I want more detailed renderings, including with the Times Tower and 11 TS, just to get a feel of what the area will look like.

[babybackribs2314]

I looks WAY OUT OF PLACE, the one thing I hate about Rogers, is his childish and colorful designs that take the class right out of the building. Three WTC escaped this because it needed to be conservative to fill the needs of commercial/business savy tenants.

Eh.

I think it looks ok.

Is it amazing? Obviously not, but it doesn't need to be... it might stick out during/after construction, but it'll be obscured over the next 20 years (assuming it gets built) by the coming explosion of development in the surrounding area. This building is basically filler for the Midtown plateau (I feel like the NYTT is basically filler too, as is the tower getting built next door).

The new "peaks" in the Midtown plateau look to be the Torre Verre (let's hope, at least--it's gorgeous and would look amazing) and several projects around Hudson Yards. It would be nice if everything looked stupendous, but it really isn't necessary--just as long as the filler 400-800' towers aren't hideous, I'll be happy.

[NYguy]

It would be nice if everything looked stupendous, but it really isn't necessary--just as long as the filler 400-800' towers aren't hideous, I'll be happy.

Yeah, every tower doesn't have to be a masterpiece. I don't think this design is terrible either, and its also fitting for what it will sit above. But while it may be considered "filler", it will have the prominence of towers like the Met Life (Pan Am) and GE (RCA) because of its scale. And its another step in bringing that "Grand Central-like" density to New York's major transit centers (hopefully Penn Station will follow).

http://curbed.com/uploads/2008_11_rogersnew.jpg

[Duffstuff129]

I like the building itself, but the base it's on is atrocious! A building (or any building for that matter) like this does not a colorful, gaudy base.

[scalziand]

The base already exists; it is the bus terminal. Currently it is a shade of green that I don't mind terribly and was hoping would remain the same. The colors given in the new renderings however, I find unnecessary, like you do.

[NYguy]

The base already exists; it is the bus terminal. Currently it is a shade of green that I don't mind terribly and was hoping would remain the same. The colors given in the new renderings however, I find unnecessary, like you do.

I wouldn't pay attention to the base at all in that rendering. It's not very detailed, and will most likely be wrapped in some sore of "Times Square" lighting, though the bracing probably will still be exposed.

[NYC4Life]

Interesting to see how the base can support the tower above it.

[Jibba]

Man, the original winning design was so sweet. Still nice in its current form, though, but it would look nicer without knowing its previous iteration. I am assuming that the exterior column of space running the height of the exterior is the elevator/service area? If so, it should make for some fantastic open interior spaces.

[NYguy]

Man, the original winning design was so sweet. Still nice in its current form, though, but it would look nicer without knowing its previous iteration. I am assuming that the exterior column of space running the height of the exterior is the elevator/service area? If so, it should make for some fantastic open interior spaces.

It also runs the length of the southside of the tower...

[Jibba]

Oh, OK. Sorry it's a little hard to tell from just that angle, and there is a building in Chicago with a similar design that has a similar feature only on one side. At any rate, was I correct as to its function, or is it for something else?

[NYguy]

Oh, OK. Sorry it's a little hard to tell from just that angle, and there is a building in Chicago with a similar design that has a similar feature only on one side. At any rate, was I correct as to its function, or is it for something else?

I'm saying it's on both sides, north and south.

[Jibba]

^Yes, I understand that. My reference to that building in Chicago was meant to illustrate that the form of the building that I already know of caused me to assume that this proposal's features were similar. Really my main question was to the function of that space; whether or not it exists on both sides of the building is inconsequential to me, although I do understand what you meant earlier regarding that.

[NYguy]

^Yes, I understand that. My reference to that building in Chicago was meant to illustrate that the form of the building that I already know of caused me to assume that this proposal's features were similar. Really my main question was to the function of that space; whether or not it exists on both sides of the building is inconsequential to me, although I do understand what you meant earlier regarding that.

It wasn't a reference to the building in Chicago, I'm pointing out that it will service both sides of this tower.

[Jibba]

^Yes, I know you were not referencing the Chicago building. I was simply clarifying the fact that in drawing comparisons to the building in Chicago I made assumptions about the building here (in NY) that turned out to not be true, and you helped to clarify the matter.

So, to be clear, and to avoid any further confusion by either of us, I do know that the exterior column of space is on both sides of 20 Times Square. If you or anyone here knows what the function of that space is that would be great, and I would like to know. Sorry about all the confusion.

[Eigenwelt]

ah, what the f...

the elongated trapaziodal framing is what was so sweet about this design. I'm sure the current bracing design is alot more cost-efficient. It's also alot more lame.

[NYguy]

ah, what the f...

the elongated trapaziodal framing is what was so sweet about this design. I'm sure the current bracing design is alot more cost-efficient. It's also alot more lame.

Was discussed in the NY Times:

http://cityroom.blogs.nytimes.com/2008/11/17/for-a-tower-atop-the-buses-the-british-are-coming/

At the time, the plan by Lord Rogers’s firm was considerably more expressive visually than the version that was chosen. But the explanation for the modification is more structural than aesthetic. The earlier version depended on eight massive columns that would have extended through the terminal building. (In the model, the first two of these columns can be seen as the lower legs of the vaguely H-shaped structure at the base of the tower.)

As the rendering above shows, the revised version is very likely to have more columns, perhaps as many as 12, but they will be smaller and less intrusive.

http://graphics8.nytimes.com/images/2008/11/17/nyregion/tower2.cityroom.190.jpghttp://graphics8.nytimes.com/images/2008/11/17/nyregion/tower.cityroom.190.jpg

[Scruffy]

Its a cool choice. Still liked the older version more. Still this doesn't look to be 855ft tall in that render.

the base is pretty bad but its no worse than the base of the Westin Times SQ Hotel diagonally across the street from this. That base is hideous. It is Times Sq after all, even if its the fringe of it

[CoolCzech]

That design tweak makes the tower look less obnoxiously unconventional. A good thing, IMO. I realize the color scheme for the base on that new render is just an artist's conception of what it might look like, but I do hope those Miami Pastels don't actually resemble the final product...

[NYC4Life]

Not much work can be done to the base, which itself right now already is atrocious.

[Theoryg]

I think NYC has gone to far and should leave the West Side open from such big buildings so someone can get some air. I think NY has enough buildings by far for now. I mean couldnt the city use the funds in another way especially now.
I hope it doesnt get built-

[colemonkee]

^ oh man, did you wander into the wrong place...

[NYguy]

I think NYC has gone to far and should leave the West Side open from such big buildings so someone can get some air. I think NY has enough buildings by far for now. I mean couldnt the city use the funds in another way especially now.
I hope it doesnt get built-

You want air? Go to Kansas. And no, the city isn't building any office towers.

[Crawford]

I think NYC has gone to far and should leave the West Side open from such big buildings so someone can get some air. I think NY has enough buildings by far for now. I mean couldnt the city use the funds in another way especially now.
I hope it doesnt get built-

How exactly would you get "less air" if a building were built? Highrises don't block air from reaching your lungs...

The city isn't building this building; it's a private developer.

And if you are so concerned about city funds you would SUPPORT this building, because it would obviously add thousands of construction and permanent jobs, and tens of millions in annual tax revenue.

NYC's primary funding source is the commmercial tax, which is assessed to office and other commercial buildings.

[antinimby]

Theoryg is obviously a troll and you all took his bait.

[NYguy]

Theoryg is obviously a troll and you all took his bait.

Obviously. Anyone who wants to post such nonsense on a skyscraper forum will get a similar response. Nothing shocking.

[lakegz]

what ever happened to this one?

[Dac150]

No news is sometimes good news

[Rail>Auto]

Like the design a lot! It seems like all skyscraper competitions in NY come down to Related, Vornado, Brookfield, and Silverstein.

[Dac150]

Vornado, Brookfield, Extell & Related are for the most part your New York City ‘heavy hitter’ developers. All of which operate and own outside the city as well.

[NYguy]

what ever happened to this one?

Was put on hold by Vornado due to the financial crisis.

[NYguy]

http://www.nypost.com/p/news/business/realestate/commercial/paul_weiss_passes_up_terminal_lease_KMECrwB5ohlUnoBAoHqbcN

Paul Weiss passes up terminal lease for renewal

By LOIS WEISS
November 25, 2009


West Side law firm Paul Weiss Rifkind Garrison & Wharton, which holds down a chunk of 1285 Avenue of the Americas, has decided to expand there to 550,000 feet rather than anchor a new Port Authority Bus Terminal tower.

The 15-year renewal lease was the talk of several real estate gatherings last week. On Thursday night, for instance, real estate partner Meredith Kane was lauded at the WX dinner by her Harvard Law School chums, Jennifer Raab, head of Hunter College, and State Senator Eric Schneiderman.

The mega law firm is the largest tenant in the 1.47-million-foot tower -- still known as the Paine Webber Building -- and has a lease that ends in 2010. Last year, renovations won 1285 a LEED silver designation.

"Certainly the level of confidence we and our landlord had to be able to do this deal clearly established values," said Kane, referring us to partner Steve Simkin for further comment. Simkin didn't return a call.

Moshe Sukenik and Barry Gosin of Newmark Knight Frank are representing the attorneys and declined comment. A year ago, the law firm was negotiating to become the anchor tenant for a new Port Authority Bus Terminal tower proposed by Vornado Realty Trust. This new deal gives the law firm two more floors.

While the lease at 1285 is not yet signed, the decision to renew is a good one for the city and the economy, noted Bill Rudin, speaking at the Real Estate Board of New York's luncheon last Tuesday.

[NYC4Life]

Hopefully the PA tower will move foward with a new anchor tenant.

[NYguy]

http://www.observer.com/2010/real-estate/vornado%E2%80%99s-given-more-time-build-bus-terminal-tower-again

Vornado Given More Time—Again—to Build Bus Terminal Tower

http://www.observer.com/files/full/richard%20rogers%20port%20authoirty.jpg

By Eliot Brown
May 18, 2010

It's now been more than a decade since Steven Roth and his Vornado Realty Trust first won a bid to develop an office tower atop midtown's Port Authority Bus Terminal.

Like many a large public/private project, the deal has been subject to the whims of the real estate market and, for the second time in two cycles, has been relegated to indefinite stagnation, with no tenants in sight.

At the Port Authority's Tuesday board meeting, Vornado, in a partnership with Lawrence Ruben, was given another extension on its exclusive development agreement with the Port Authority, bringing the next expiration date to August 2011.

The Port Authority first gave Vornado an extension in 2008 on the 1.3 million-square-foot tower, a time by which the agency had hoped to be moving forward on the projcet, which was to bring it $500 million.

But the lack of a tenant and any real prospect of developing the building pushed the deal off. At one point, the Port Authority had hoped to get Vornado to agree to invest in the retail at the terminal, but that apparently did not come to fruition. In the deal announced Tuesday, Vornado would manage the retail for a fee. In exchange, the agency said, it would extend Vornado's development option.

From the language of the resolution approved Tuesday by the board:

In exchange for 20X Square's participation as the retail manager, the Port Authority would extend the North Wing exclusivity period for the development of an office tower. Since the execution of the Exclusivity Agreement, 20X Square has developed a familiarity with the PABT and its operations, and would therefore need less time to move forward with the air rights development project when the real estate market recovers.

The building planned for the site was to be a Richard Rogers-designed slender office tower, with a skylobby over the bus terminal and elevators on the exterior of the building, not in the center (Mr. Roth has said this would provide the benefit of a large open floorplate).

[Dac150]

However long it takes. With many big leases up throughout the city over the next few years, Vornado is bound to get a few bites on this one.

[SkyscrapersOfNewYork]

ive always hated this design they can definately do better....but none the less i hope something beautiful gets built

[Dac150]

The design actually fits the revitalized persona of the area quite well. It’s a little quirky yet bold and lively.

[Onn]

I'm for a new design, it looks both dated and European.

[SkyscrapersOfNewYork]

The design actually fits the revitalized persona of the area quite well. It’s a little quirky yet bold and lively.

idk i just dont think the Times of 11 times square will work well with it.

[NYguy]

idk i just dont think the Times of 11 times square will work well with it.

The question is whether it will work better with the bus terminal rather than the surrounding towers. The NY Times tower is very different from everything else, this one will be as well (although it does remind me a little of Chase Manhattan Plaza downtown). I remember hating the proposal for the Hearst tower before it was built. I didn't think it would work well at all with the base. Now I see it as one of the best of the last decade.

[Busy Bee]

I think we should know from experience that a long held up project, once ground is broken, is often possessing a different design than in original renderings.

[SkyscrapersOfNewYork]

i think id like it better if it didnt have that piece sticking out of its side

[BStyles]

I think i'd like it better if we all had jetpacks and didn't need to use elevators.

But since that won't happen we're stuck with it.

[SkyscrapersOfNewYork]

is this the final proposal?

[zuelas]

hopefully someone comes along to get this thing going. it really won't have much of a skyline impact, though, will it?

[NYguy]

hopefully someone comes along to get this thing going. it really won't have much of a skyline impact, though, will it?

It will have impact from the west mainly because of location. It will rise higher than the NY Times Tower, minus the spire...from the east, it will become part of the mass of Midtown.


Jersey JJ (http://www.flickr.com/photos/jerseyjj/3803174196/sizes/l/in/photostream/)

http://farm3.static.flickr.com/2588/3803174196_7bc65a6186_b.jpg


ty law (http://www.flickr.com/photos/peterlaw/4780409281/sizes/l/in/photostream/)

http://farm5.static.flickr.com/4075/4780409281_793f96e805_b.jpg



http://www.observer.com/files/full/richard%20rogers%20port%20authoirty.jpg

[STR]

hopefully someone comes along to get this thing going. it really won't have much of a skyline impact, though, will it?

This is a VERY large building. It's half a block long. It will be noticeable from north, south and west. It's on my to-do list after 99 Church and 3 Hudson, so you'll be able to see soon enough.

[Bucktown718]

So ummmm. Is there any chances of this tower getting build? If so, this will definitely be a tower out of sci-fi flick. Regardless of it's location, this tower is massive and will surely have a big impact.

[NYguy]

So ummmm. Is there any chances of this tower getting build?

It has as much chance as anything else proposed at the moment. It needs a tenant and financing. As the commercial development of 42nd Street has proved steady, it's likely to eventually get built.

[Obey]

This my most wanted proposed tower to get built. Will they renovate the actual Bus Terminal because that would be fantastic?

[scalziand]

Yes, parts of the terminal are supposed to be renovated as part of the project.

[STR]

I said I'd do it after a couple of buildings, but I decided to cheat. It seemed like a quick and dirty job. The south face here is extrapolation from the north face, but...you gotta go with what you have. I looks like the bastard child of 1 Chase Plaza and the BCBS building in Chicago.

http://img521.imageshack.us/img521/9374/n135.jpg http://img600.imageshack.us/img600/963/n136.jpg

[AJphx]

wow, great job STR. I think it looks better in your renderings... in fact I like it now, seeing those, whereas the official renderings I was so-so. (probably because of the colors and clutter in the Rogers renderings. They should have released yours. :)

[NYguy]

http://img521.imageshack.us/img521/9374/n135.jpg http://img600.imageshack.us/img600/963/n136.jpg

Excellent. This is probably the oldest of all New York proposals, although this version of it is relatively new. The terminal was built with a tower planned for the top, but the area was hardly desirable for the type of tenants that now populate it.

This building also reminds me of Foster's HSBC building...

http://tinypic.com/ofokh
http://www.skyscrapercity.com/showthread.php?t=156823


http://www.urbika.com/imgs/projects/large/2493_hsbc-building.jpg[img]http://img521.imageshack.us/img521/9374/n135.jpg
http://www.urbika.com/projects/view/2493-hsbc-building

[patriotizzy]

Damn, I really don't like the proposal. Any chances of a change in design?

[Roadcruiser1]

I think this building would look better if they moved the X truss on the sides of the building closer to the center so it would balance out, and if they put those white beams on the side of the building that would be even more awesome.

[Lecom]

This will bring some design dignity to 42nd Street west of 8th Avenue.

[SkyscrapersOfNewYork]

wow STR your rendering actually made me like this building,could you post some renderings of it on the skyline?

[NYguy]

Damn, I really don't like the proposal. Any chances of a change in design?

This is the design that was chosen over several other proposals.

[OneWorldTradeCenter]

The facade remids me more at Three WTC. As far as I know Richard Rogers is the architect of that building, too.

[Lecom]

wow STR your rendering actually made me like this building,could you post some renderings of it on the skyline?

I second that request.