NEW YORK | New York by Gehry | 870 FT / 265 M | 76 FLOORS | T/O

[NYguy]

epc (http://www.flickr.com/photos/epc/3343994575/sizes/l/)

http://farm4.static.flickr.com/3397/3343994575_414ee64928_b.jpg


http://farm4.static.flickr.com/3575/3344828070_1b9cc9dcaa_b.jpg

[chex]

nice pix!! and nice day for a snowy NY, i see some snow on the roofs! and in Guadalajara is around 86 F....

[NYguy]

nice pix!! and nice day for a snowy NY, i see some snow on the roofs! and in Guadalajara is around 86 F....

86 is a heat wave here...;)

[RoldanTTLB]

Conveniently enough I lack a camera today, but they have the first set of curved sides with actual windows up, and at least for the few that are there, I am happy to report that they look nicer than the demo cladding that was shown previously. They have also started on the third floor of windows for the school and are blocking up various bits of the ground floor for future cladding as well. There's also a pour going on right now, but I can't tell exactly what from the street. The forms aren't in for the next floor yet, although maybe they're pouring the core first? It's very difficult to tell from any angles close to the base. I didn't have time to climb the bridge at all.

[JDRCRASH]

86 is a heat wave here...;)

You guys are whimps; it was in the 80's a couple of weeks ago in my neck of the woods. Of course, I could say the same thing about being in below freezing weather. My sister and mom are going there for a week next Tuesday, and all my mom could think about was getting fluffy coats. (Not sure why, but my dad and I are different; we were born in L.A., but have warm-blooded New York bodies).

Anyway, are there any webcams of this tower's construction?

[sbarn]

You guys are whimps; it was in the 80's a couple of weeks ago in my neck of the woods. Of course, I could say the same thing about being in below freezing weather. My sister and mom are going there for a week next Tuesday, and all my mom could think about was getting fluffy coats. (Not sure why, but my dad and I are different; we were born in L.A., but have warm-blooded New York bodies).

Anyway, are there any webcams of this tower's construction?

:previous: A person from LA would likely melt in NYC's summer humidity. Nothing whimpy about New Yorkers or their weather...

[NYCLuver]

Goodness don't even remind me about he humidity that will be here in just a short couple of months. One reason I hate summer in NYC, THE DAMN HUMIDITY. Can't do anything without sweating a bucket on the sidewalk.

I was walking around today but didn't check out the Beeman site, haha, the one day I don't check it out, new stuff go up! I'll be walking around tomorrow as well most likely, so maybe I'll take pics. :D

[colemonkee]

:previous: A person from LA would likely melt in NYC's summer humidity. Nothing whimpy about New Yorkers or their weather...
Very true. I'm from LA and don't care for the humidity in NY. It doesn't stop me from visiting in the summer, but it's not high on my list of things I like about NY, which is a long list...

[NYguy]

Conveniently enough I lack a camera today, but they have the first set of curved sides with actual windows up, and at least for the few that are there, I am happy to report that they look nicer than the demo cladding that was shown previously.

Excellent news. I should get a view over the next couple of days. Hard to imagine it could look any better than the demo:

http://graphics8.nytimes.com/images/2009/02/11/business/11gehry2650.jpg

[JDRCRASH]

Very true. I'm from LA and don't care for the humidity in NY. It doesn't stop me from visiting in the summer, but it's not high on my list of things I like about NY, which is a long list...

Not me; like I said, I can take the heat, and even with high humidity. Besides, people that have been there tell me it's nothing compared to the Gulf Coast.

[NYguy]

Not me; like I said, I can take the heat, and even with high humidity. Besides, people that have been there tell me it's nothing compared to the Gulf Coast.

That's all great, but try to stay on topic. People don't read this thread for the weather.....:order:

[RoldanTTLB]

That's all great, but try to stay on topic. People don't read this thread for the weather.....:order:

And to think I was about to comment on how cold it was this morning...

http://lh3.ggpht.com/_3T08TVQ0h2g/Sbpucz3t2qI/AAAAAAAABjg/fL-wY0Hdoss/s800/Gehry%20012.JPG

http://lh3.ggpht.com/_3T08TVQ0h2g/SbpueMkkGOI/AAAAAAAABjo/_EFh3LmM7Gs/s800/Gehry%20013.JPG

http://lh4.ggpht.com/_3T08TVQ0h2g/Sbpuevj3HqI/AAAAAAAABjw/-dWqD6gGfRs/s800/Gehry%20014.JPG

I also just finally figured out why I thought it looked better than the demo. The double height windows reduce the strange sharpness from the straight windows to the curved metal. I'm not sure if the double windows are only on select floors and will yield to the single height ones very shortly, of if the demo was just "compressed."

[NYguy]

I also just finally figured out why I thought it looked better than the demo. The double height windows reduce the strange sharpness from the straight windows to the curved metal. I'm not sure if the double windows are only on select floors and will yield to the single height ones very shortly, of if the demo was just "compressed."

They appear to be the same height to me. I think the demo was just not complete. And judging from the people in the demo photo, the pic could be slightly distorted. I also got some photos today, I'll post them by tomorrow.

[NYCLuver]

So I have been walking around Manhattan the last two days(ALONE :( ) and... well I have been downtown and I have neglected and skipped going to see Beekman two days in a row now. I know... I know I'm a bad boy, and I deserve a spanking. :whip:

Next week promise. :D

[Nei!l]

Shiny... very shiny

[antinimby]

Look at this retarded thing they're going to build across the street...

In June 2009, the McSam Hotel Group will begin building a new 40-story hotel at 33 Beekman Street, at the corner of William Street. The site, a former parking lot, is one of several new high-rise hotels being erected by the McSam Hotel Group and contractor Tritel Construction.

Summary

*The following information was last updated March 10, 2009

Construction is expected to begin in late spring 2009

From lowermanhattan.info

http://www.curbed.com/2007_07_McSamBeekman1.JPG

[samoen313]

^ Somebody needs to put out a hit on Gene Kaufman. He may be the worst architect in the US to be getting any commissions, let alone all the kabillion hotels his firm is doing. That shit looks like it was designed with Microsoft Paint.

[QuarterMileSidewalk]

^^^ LOL!

The Beekman, though, is looking great.

[scalziand]

hmmm, i forgot about that one. Yeah, the color choice isn't very good on it.

[RoldanTTLB]

That shot is a little deceptive. From that angle, you won't actually see the McSam hotel. Additionally, while it's ugly, so's the hospital (and Pace), and it's all better than the empty chain-linked, locked up parking lot that's there now. This building is next to a four story elevator parking garage. Next time I walk by, I'll take more photos showing what's around Gehry.

[scalziand]

Frankly, it looks like a hot dog that's had ketchup and mustard squirted all over it.

I wonder how creative the exterior elevators are going to be(if that's possible), and I'd also like to point out that it looks like it's going to create a little corner plaza.

[NYguy]

^ Thought that one was canceled, guess not. Anyway, more photos from yesterday...

MARCH 13, 2009

http://www.pbase.com/nyguy/image/110181261/large.jpg


http://www.pbase.com/nyguy/image/110181265/large.jpg


http://www.pbase.com/nyguy/image/110181267/large.jpg


http://www.pbase.com/nyguy/image/110181270/large.jpg


http://www.pbase.com/nyguy/image/110181295/large.jpg


http://www.pbase.com/nyguy/image/110181408/large.jpg


http://www.pbase.com/nyguy/image/110181453/large.jpg


http://www.pbase.com/nyguy/image/110182465/large.jpg

[NYguy]

I think this building will become as much an iconic symbol of New York as the Woolworth or maybe even the Brooklyn Bridge. I like the way it's all connected.

Pics from gio.o (http://www.flickr.com/photos/gio_o/3334367554/sizes/o/)

http://farm4.static.flickr.com/3344/3333530565_3f0579c86c_o.jpg


http://farm4.static.flickr.com/3538/3334367554_b328b63100_o.jpg


http://farm4.static.flickr.com/3585/3333531839_18485a7088_o.jpg


http://farm4.static.flickr.com/3336/3334368474_20fac461fe_o.jpg

[photoLith]

Man, out of all the buildings that need to be recladded in NYC, the Verizon Tower needs it the most.

[Ricopedra]

Verizon is just a butt-ugly 60's monolith for those poor prison-workers, stuck in suits and ties.... Pace Uni sucks, too. Why was the sixties so great for the advancement of the principles of freedom and non-conformity, yet so brutal to architecture? We all hark back to the music, the myths and the love. But Jesus, stay off the shag and out of the libraries! Suffocation alert, man!

[Ricopedra]

Oops, I forgot to add - This tower rocks!!!!!

[NYguy]

Man, out of all the buildings that need to be recladded in NYC, the Verizon Tower needs it the most.

That's actually planned, there was a thread on it here.

[NYguy]

Qbans (http://www.flickr.com/photos/31813719@N06/3339003697/sizes/l/)

http://farm4.static.flickr.com/3379/3339003697_ee090c768b_b.jpg

[Dallas]

I am no expert, however I think that Verizon building is the ugliest building in the whole world. It makes me wanna vomit. :yuck:

[QuarterMileSidewalk]

^Don't need to be an expert to know that! :haha:

[Busy Bee]

It doesn't help that probably one of the worst corporate logos of the 20th century is hanging on this, probably one of the ugliest highrises in New York.

[RoldanTTLB]

It doesn't help that probably one of the worst corporate logos of the 20th century is hanging on this, probably one of the ugliest highrises in New York.

But it always had that sensation of, New York: Check! Doubt that's what they were going for, though. In any event, here's a few pics from the way in to the office this morning.

http://lh3.ggpht.com/_3T08TVQ0h2g/Sb_AwKjDnnI/AAAAAAAABss/FS8JCQW-sas/s800/Gehry%20015.jpg

http://lh6.ggpht.com/_3T08TVQ0h2g/Sb_Aw-dT85I/AAAAAAAABs0/RLjvvGH7qB4/s800/Gehry%20016.jpg

http://lh4.ggpht.com/_3T08TVQ0h2g/Sb_AxEhUGcI/AAAAAAAABs8/3QQ4uof9iI0/s800/Gehry%20017.jpg

http://lh3.ggpht.com/_3T08TVQ0h2g/Sb_AxhS9dkI/AAAAAAAABtE/auzkigMWnjs/s800/Gehry%20018.jpg
No I do not want to be "that guy."

[ethereal_reality]

^^^The Brooklyn Bridge shots are great.
All that modern day traffic on a bridge that began construction in 1870.
It's a marvel.

I also agree with everyone about the Verizon Building.
The saddest part is, in all the above pics it's completely blocking the Municipal Building.

http://img140.imageshack.us/img140/7682/1111mbnyc.jpg
Municipal Building for those of you not in nyc


That said, Beeckman Place is going to be fantastic.
It's now my favorite building under construction.

[photoLith]

Someone needs to add the renders for this tower in the first page. I have looked through this thread a bunch of times to find them but can never locate them. I remember seeing them at one point but they have disappeared.

[NYCLuver]

So i was in the city today and well... I was a bad boy again. Instead of taking pictures of buildings, I was taking pictures of hot drunk Irish men. Yeah... umm it was a great day. :whip: :haha:

I'll take some pics of the building if I head back to the city tomorrow!

[RoldanTTLB]

Here's some photos from this afternoon (it's a beautiful day!).

These two are twins like Arnold and Danny...
http://lh4.ggpht.com/_3T08TVQ0h2g/ScFKcX_FLFI/AAAAAAAABuE/tUhOmaEm8T4/s800/DSC01109.jpg

http://lh4.ggpht.com/_3T08TVQ0h2g/ScFKyHlKYPI/AAAAAAAABuQ/_H2Y4kC3I7k/s800/DSC01112.jpg

http://lh3.ggpht.com/_3T08TVQ0h2g/ScFKzxTazkI/AAAAAAAABus/KF5bNKA9RRc/s800/DSC01113.jpg

http://lh6.ggpht.com/_3T08TVQ0h2g/ScFK1RjjZuI/AAAAAAAABu0/hdueuNeaGFo/s800/DSC01117.jpg

http://lh4.ggpht.com/_3T08TVQ0h2g/ScFK25JrKWI/AAAAAAAABu4/PiDtbuw1HSk/s800/DSC01119.jpg

[Brian.]

That looks great, thanks for the photos.

[NYguy]

http://lh4.ggpht.com/_3T08TVQ0h2g/ScFKcX_FLFI/AAAAAAAABuE/tUhOmaEm8T4/s800/DSC01109.jpg

That will be a great view.

[andydie]

:previous: and it will get even better when they either tear down or reclad that hulky Verizon Building. Great Shots Roldan:tup:

[photoLith]

While we are on the subject of recladding does anyone know if those ugly fire escape stairways can be removed from those beautiful old tenant buildings? They look so much better without the staircases.

[KVNBKLYN]

While we are on the subject of recladding does anyone know if those ugly fire escape stairways can be removed from those beautiful old tenant buildings? They look so much better without the staircases.

If they're the only second means of egress, then no. Not unless you add a second egress stair on the interior.

[pj3000]

^^Having lived on the sixth floor of a walk-up on the LES, I was happy to know that the fire escape was there, given that the front door was the only way in or out. It would likely be against code to remove them, though I do agree many of the buildings are beautiful underneath.

[RoldanTTLB]

Possible terrible news attack:


Over the last two days numerous tips have flooded the Curbed Inbox claiming that construction at the Frank Gehry-designed Beekman Tower in the upper part of the Financial District has been halted. The 76-story luxury rental building (with stores and a school in its base) recently started getting its skin of rippling steel, and a check of the site on Tuesday showed plenty of activity. Still, the tips kept coming, and though their wording differed ("ceased construction at the 36th floor, and will not finish the remaining 40 stories," "heard the concrete guy got thrown off the job"), the common thread in all of them has been lack of money. The tipsters are on to something.

A spokesperson for developer Forest City Ratner gave Curbed this comment:

Give the current economy we are conducting a study to assess costs, risks and overall timing. Work is continuing on the building including on the school and we should have some conclusive answers shortly.
That's a bit of a mixed message, but the underlying meaning is clear: Things aren't quite going as planned at the legendary starchitect's signature addition to the New York City skyline. Is Bruce Ratner just playing hardball with unions, or with the government to get added subsidies? Hopefully. Real estate bust or not, what would a half-built skyscraper left rotting near the Brooklyn Bridge do to the image of the Financial District as a reborn residential neighborhood-on-the-rise? Or, if it's completed at half its envisioned size, to the legacy of Gehry?

From curbed.com

I was looking at the photos I've taken over the last few days, and I cannot definitively say that there hasn't been any work at the top. From the prior floor and things I've read elsewhere, they're currently doing not only a mechanical floor, but a transfer floor with incredibly thick pours. This may or may not have something to do with this. Here's hoping for the best, because while the building is nice right now, it would be much better twice as tall.

[R@ptor]

Damn that would really suck :(

[NYguy]

Saw this on curbed.com
http://www.wnyc.org/news/articles/126662

Downtown Housing Complex May Downsize

by Matthew Schuerman
March 19, 2009

At 76 stories, the Beekman Tower on Spruce street was supposed to be the tallest residential building in New York City. But the developer may stop work at half-the-height because of the poor economy. WNYC's Matthew Schuerman has more.

REPORTER: The sleek, narrow tower, designed by world-renowned architect Frank Gehry, was to include 900 luxury apartments. It was billed as part of the post September 11th recovery for Lower Manhattan. The developer, Forest City Ratner, qualified for extra height by including a school in its bottom floors.

But Ratner may not need that extra height after all. This week, shortly after the structural concrete reached the 38th floor, the developer received a building permit that treats the top of the current structure as a roof.

Neighbors report that consutrction has slowed to just six hours a day. A spokesperson says Ratner has made no final decisions, but is "conducting a study to assess costs, risks and overall timing".

[UrbanImpact]

GRRRRRRRRRR :hell: This is my favorite project under construction right now.....Hopefully the height/exterior does not change.

Lets cross our fingers.

[JDRCRASH]

UPDATE: Beekman Tower to Have 50% Less Frank Gehry? (http://curbed.com/archives/2009/03/19/update_beekman_tower_to_have_50_less_frank_gehry.php)
http://curbed.com/archives/2009/03/19/update_beekman_tower_to_have_50_less_frank_gehry.php

Thursday, March 19, 2009, by Joey

http://curbed.com/uploads/2009_3_beekmanupdate1.jpg

This morning we mentioned rumors of cost concerns and halted construction at the Forest City Ratner-developed, Frank Gehry-designed Beekman Tower in the Financial District, and now WNYC has a small report up on the 76-story luxury rental tower. The shocking new piece of intel: "This week, shortly after the structural concrete reached the 38th floor, the developer received a building permit that treats the top of the current structure as a roof." And to think, we were just mocking Las Vegas for its half-size starchitecture! The report notes that a final decision hasn't been made on the building, seen above at what might end up being its final height.

http://curbed.com/uploads/2009_3_beekmanupdate2.jpg

Ratner was allowed to build taller because of the school planned for the building's base. If the Beekman gets cut in half, will FiDi's youngsters be left out in the cold?

[ZZ-II]

that can't be true :(

[Patrick]

Are you serious.

[philvia]

some examples of the info at WNY about the rumors...

He already has an $850 million loan for the entire building.

Is he just trying to play hardball with the unions, or trying to cut some of the costs?



The day after Ratner sent his letter, Forest City closed on $680 million in construction financing for the project, allaying fears that the project would not go forward at all. Community members had been particularly worried after the New York Times reported two weeks ago that almost all of Ratner’s $4 billion Gehry-designed Atlantic Yards project in Brooklyn could be delayed for years. Ratner also blamed the economic slowdown for that change of plans.

The $680 million will cover the complete construction costs for the Beekman project, said Joyce Baumgarten, a Ratner spokesperson.


From: Downtown Express April 4-10,2008



There's a permit from two days ago (3-17), indicating the building will have 76 floors and 890 units, which is no change.

This is the last permit on file.

http://a810-bisweb.nyc.gov/bisweb/JobsQueryByNumberServlet?requestid=4&passjobnumber=110480266&passdocnumber=01

i find these at least a little comforting

[NYguy]

http://www.tribecatrib.com/news/newsmarch09/0309012beekman.html

Ratner: 76-story Beekman Tower Design Not Shrinking, Yet

http://www.tribecatrib.com/photos/news/march09/Beekman%20Tower-rend.jpg

By Matt Dunning
MARCH 19, 2009


Despite a recent report that their designs for New York’s tallest residential tower may be shrinking by as much as half, the building’s developers said plans for the 867-foot Beekman Tower in Lower Manhattan have not changed. Yet.

“Given the current economy, we are conducting a study to assess costs, risks and overall timing,” a spokeswoman for tower developer Forest City Ratner told the Trib in an Email. “Work is continuing on the building, including on the school and we should have some conclusive answers shortly.”

The building is to house the new Spruce Street School, which the developer said it would turn over to the city in 2010.

Doubts over Forest City Ratner’s ability and/or willingness to build all 76-stories of the $680 million rental apartment tower at the corner of William and Spruce Streets surfaced March 19. WNYC reported that the city’s Department of Buildings issued the developers a permit for work to be done on the roof of the building. The report concluded that the permit “treats the top of the current [38-story] structure as a roof.”

According to the developers, the “roof” referenced in the permit is actually the first of three setbacks included in the building’s design, not the proposed top of the tower.

“The design has not changed,” a company spokeswoman said.

However, when asked if the Frank Gehry-designed luxury skyscraper would still top out at the originally-prescribed height of 76 stories, the spokeswoman acknowledged that the company was beginning to consider the impact that the economy may have on the project.

Back in October, Forest City Ratner executives insisted that the city’s crumbling real estate market had not jeopardized their plans for the tower. Eight months later, with the market showing few if any signs of recovery, the company still maintains that no changes have been made to the project’s schedule. The four-story k-8 school under construction at the base of the tower, according to the company, will be delivered to the city’s Department of Education by the end of next summer, and the first rental units will be opened later in 2010. Final construction of the tower is not due to be completed until November 2011.

MaryAnne Gilmartin, an executive vice president with Forest City Ratner, said in October that the company had been able to maintain those deadlines in large part because it had already secured the $680 million loan it needed to finance the project before the disastrous collapse of the country’s credit and stock markets.

“The financing has been locked in and untouched by the tumultuous market we find ourselves in,” Gilmartin said last fall.

Though the company plans to hand over the 100,000-square-foot school in the summer of 2010, it is widely considered unlikely to be opened for the 2010-11 school year. It will be up to the DOE, as well as the state School Construction Authority, to determine whether the school could or even should be open while construction goes on above it.

When the tower is complete, it will house more than 900 rental apartments, ranging from $4,000 to $10,000 a month. The building will also have parking and doctors’ offices for the New York Downtown Hospital, plus some retail space.

________________________

http://www.crainsnewyork.com/article/20090319/FREE/903199969

Developer cuts tower from 76 stories to 38

By Amanda Fung

The Beekman Tower, the Frank Gehry-designed luxury rental building in lower Manhattan, has been put on hold 38 stories short of its planned height of 76 floors.

Developer Forest City Ratner Cos. says that work will continue on the lower stories, but added that no additional floors will be added pending an evaluation of costs.

“Given the current economy, we are conducting a study to assess costs, risks and overall timing,” said a spokesperson for the company, in a statement. “Work is continuing on the building including on the school and we should have some conclusive answers shortly.”

[RoldanTTLB]

For what it's worth, I decided to scout the site some before my evening shift (hah!) and there's something fishy going on:

1.) There were definitely more forms put up on top today than yesterday/day before.

2.) There's 2+ more crane sections on the ground that were delivered to the site in the last day or two. I doubt they would jump the crane (or even pay to rent additional sections), if the building weren't going up.

3.) While there have been claims of reduced hours at the site, they are still throwing skin up at the same pace now that they have been for weeks.

4.) They were delivering more lumber for upward growth as recently as yesterday evening.

I would like very much to see this at it's full height. I don't know what they will ultimately decide, and maybe this is hardball, or confusion or something, who knows, but it certainly seems like they're moving ahead no matter what they are saying.

[philvia]

i dont think there's too much substance to the rumors. carry on

[NYguy]

Ratner has been trying to get some stimulus funds for his Atlantic Yards complex (he won't be getting any), so who knows what kind of stunt he's pulling here. They've said the construction was funded already. It's possible by "timing" they want to complete this tower a little later than it's on target for, when the real estate market should be better. The problem is, the school can't open until they complete the building. So they're going to have to finish up, one way or the other.

[Duffstuff129]

Ratner has been trying to get some stimulus funds for his Atlantic Yards complex (he won't be getting any), so who knows what kind of stunt he's pulling here. They've said the construction was funded already. It's possible by "timing" they want to complete this tower a little later than it's on target for, when the real estate market should be better. The problem is, the school can't open until they complete the building. So they're going to have to finish up, one way or the other.

Yep, as I recall they were bragging about having complete financing. Really, why wouldn't they just go all the way and finish this one?

Words like "tallest" and "grand" are what are going to be attracting people to this one, not "38 stories" and "stumpy".

In a market like this you need something special and attractive to make money, so in the long run spending more now will probably make them more money if the recession continues.

Also, wasn't the school not expected to open until something like 2011 anyway?

[NYguy]

It was supposed to open sooner, but was pushed back from previous delays.

Though the company plans to hand over the 100,000-square-foot school in the summer of 2010, it is widely considered unlikely to be opened for the 2010-11 school year. It will be up to the DOE, as well as the state School Construction Authority, to determine whether the school could or even should be open while construction goes on above it.

It's highly unlikely that the school will open while construction continues above it. And they certainly aren't going to open the school, and close it again down the line to complete the top. That makes completing the building a now or never situation.

[pj3000]

It was supposed to open sooner, but was pushed back from previous delays.



It's highly unlikely that the school will open while construction continues above it. And they certainly aren't going to open the school, and close it again down the line to complete the top. That makes completing the building a now or never situation.

Right. And more importantly, they aren't going to have people move into and live in a 38-story condo tower and then make them move out to finish the top half.

[CoolCzech]

It would be just incredibly shortsighted to allow a recession to gut the heart out of this magnificent project. I can only assume - and hope - the developer is playing some kind of game for some extra concessions or something.

[NYC2ATX]

Really? ....Really? ....Can't we just try and get a building finished? Like, can we at least try? ....Just one, that's all I ask.

[chex]

just this one!

[Dac150]

It's a punch to the face to hear this, but what can you do. Let's wait and see, I'm sure Ratner would prefer to finish this one as planned. All I can say is (if worse comes to worse) I rather see a 35 story tower in the plot rather than an empty space that was put on-hold.

Let's hang in there guys, this is tough.

[CSABA8]

HALF SIZE .. NO WAY !!! That was my favorite building. So sad to hear !

[NYguy]

It would be just incredibly shortsighted to allow a recession to gut the heart out of this magnificent project. I can only assume - and hope - the developer is playing some kind of game for some extra concessions or something.

What he will get is anger from City officials and residents who want this school opened. Ratner hasn't officially said the building won't rise to it's full, planned height, but it will become apparent before long just what's going on there.

“Given the current economy, we are conducting a study to assess costs, risks and overall timing,” said a spokesperson for the company, in a statement. “Work is continuing on the building including on the school and we should have some conclusive answers shortly.”

Costs had been said to be going down in the industry. I think Ratner, if he could, would stagger the completion of all of the units, instead of having the entire building completed at once. But the situation with the school just doesn't make that an option.

[RoldanTTLB]

Morning All. Here's some photos hot off the presses. There's nothing going on on top. The crane hasn't moved since last week. There is still a crane segment on the ground, though.

http://lh3.ggpht.com/_3T08TVQ0h2g/Scd7lJer4zI/AAAAAAAABwY/LCIZg_rjbVc/s800/DSC01122.JPG

http://lh6.ggpht.com/_3T08TVQ0h2g/Scd7lgz4qfI/AAAAAAAABwg/Zau8ffTyQ-s/s800/DSC01123.JPG

http://lh4.ggpht.com/_3T08TVQ0h2g/Scd7mW9nGyI/AAAAAAAABwo/lFbEqRps9KU/s800/DSC01125.JPG

http://lh4.ggpht.com/_3T08TVQ0h2g/Scd7m6F1v0I/AAAAAAAABww/sl_DFshyxQA/s800/DSC01126.JPG

[NYguy]

There's nothing going on on top. The crane hasn't moved since last week.

Which leads to speculation that they have slowed down construction. Ratner could have dismissed all of this of course, but he did not.

[JACKinBeantown]

That would be a shame, because this is the coolest thing going up in NYC.

[QuarterMileSidewalk]

Aw, geez.

[RoldanTTLB]

Daily update of DOOM! So, since I walk by the site every day on the way to work, I figure I can easily give a quick non-photo update regularly. Still no activity on top, but there are also still 2 crane segments sitting on the ground waiting. The way I see it, if these guys disappear, it's over. If they go up, so does the building. They don't appear to have made any progress on the first row of short windows on the south side from yesterday, but they have started with the second level of the wavy tall floors around the other sides. They also continue to really bang out the school at the bottom. I will take a photo update of all of the cinder-blocking etc going on at the very bottom of the tower later in the week.

[NYguy]

Daily update of DOOM! So, since I walk by the site every day on the way to work, I figure I can easily give a quick non-photo update regularly. Still no activity on top, but there are also still 2 crane segments sitting on the ground waiting. The way I see it, if these guys disappear, it's over. If they go up, so does the building. They don't appear to have made any progress on the first row of short windows on the south side from yesterday, but they have started with the second level of the wavy tall floors around the other sides. They also continue to really bang out the school at the bottom. I will take a photo update of all of the cinder-blocking etc going on at the very bottom of the tower later in the week.

Whether or not Ratner proceeds with the remaining floors (my guess is that he will), they are going to have to complete the building that's already risen, so I do expect construction to continue. It could be a little while before we have a clear answere on the remaining floors.

[NYguy]

http://downtownexpress.com/de_309/ratnersays.html

Ratner says Gehry tower will keep rising

http://downtownexpress.com/de_309/beek.jpg

By Julie Shapiro
March 27 - April 2, 2009


Word spread quickly last week that Forest City Ratner planned to chop the rising Beekman St. tower in half, leaving it at its current height of 38 stories.
The rumors started when workers recently stopped adding floors and WNYC reported that contractors applied for a permit to add a roof.

Joyce Baumgarten, spokesperson for Forest City, said the rumors are exaggerated. The permit was actually for the tower’s first setback, not for the roof, she said. The permits look similar, which could have caused the confusion, she added.

Baumgarten said the addition of new floors had paused so Forest City could look for ways to save money, possibly by re-bidding construction contracts. She is not worried about finding a market for the building’s 903 apartments, which will range from $4,000 to $15,000 a month.

“There’s been no change in the design of the building,” Baumgarten said in a phone interview. “Work is continuing on the building.”

In a statement, Baumgarten added, “Given current economic conditions, including downward trends in construction costs, we are conducting a study to evaluate potential opportunities to achieve savings on the project.”
Joseph Rechichi, a senior vice president with Ratner, said in January that Ratner had all of the $680 million in financing necessary to complete the Frank Gehry-designed tower. The building is slated to finish in 2011 with the new K-8 Spruce Street School in its base and an ambulatory center for New York Downtown Hospital, along with the high-end apartments.

Assembly Speaker Sheldon Silver, who led the negotiations to get the K-8 school, said in a statement that he was reassured Forest City had promised to continue building the school. Forest Ctiy has said school could open in 2010 but many people, including Silver, expect it to open in 2011.

Despite Forest City’s assurances, many local residents are skeptical that the project’s finances are in good order, especially after seeing so many other projects stall recently. Also, the stock of Forest City Enterprises has lost more than 90 percent of its value in the past year.

The residents who live in the tower’s shadow and fought its erection had a mix of reactions to the possibility of it stopping at 38 stories.

“Definitely it’s better for the neighborhood,” said Suzanne Fass, who lives at 140 Nassau St. “It’s less intrusive, less of a target and less of a drain on whatever services and infrastructure we have.”

Fass said the potential change in height would not affect her building directly, since the tower already dwarfs 140 Nassau and blocks most of the light that once reached it.

Williams Cosby, another 140 Nassau resident, said a truncated building would be more in keeping with the neighborhood, but the most important thing is that the building gets finished.

“I would rather them build it to its full height and complete it than stop halfway and not complete it,” Cosby said. “I would hate for it to fall into some economic crack where they don’t finish it for some reason.”

Alan Mitchell, who lives at 150 Nassau St., agreed that the worst thing for the neighborhood would be to have an unfinished building. The full-sized tower wouldn’t block much more light and air than the half-sized tower already blocks, he said.

The residents of 140 and 150 Nassau St. negotiated with Forest City several years ago to set the tower back from their windows, with a plaza in between.

Over the past week, Gehry’s twisty, shimmering design for the tower found fierce defenders on online forums like SkyscraperPage.com.

“HALF SIZE .. NO WAY !!!” wrote CSABA8. “That was my favorite building. So sad to hear!”

Added a calmer commenter named CoolCzech, “It would be just incredibly shortsighted to allow a recession to gut the heart out of this magnificent project. I can only assume — and hope — the developer is playing some kind of game for some extra concessions or something.”

Fass, the 140 Nassau resident, said the distraught online commenters did not sway her.

“They don’t live across the street from it,” she said.

[JDRCRASH]

Over the past week, Gehry’s twisty, shimmering design for the tower found fierce defenders on online forums like SkyscraperPage.com.

“HALF SIZE .. NO WAY !!!” wrote CSABA8. “That was my favorite building. So sad to hear!”

Added a calmer commenter named CoolCzech, “It would be just incredibly shortsighted to allow a recession to gut the heart out of this magnificent project. I can only assume — and hope — the developer is playing some kind of game for some extra concessions or something.”


Wow, you guys must be flattered!:P

[NYguy]

LOL

Fass, the 140 Nassau resident, said the distraught online commenters did not sway her.

“They don’t live across the street from it,” she said.

Someone tell this woman she doesn't have to either.

[colemonkee]

I like this Cosby guy. He's got the right attitude. And what's up with NIMBY's using the "building as a target" as a reason for not building taller? Obviously the last desperate gasp of someone who doesn't have a legitimate argument...

[SD_Phil]

Great news! This tower really will become an icon rather quickly. And skyscraperpage made the news again, that's always fun.

[CoolCzech]

Fass, the 140 Nassau resident, said the distraught online commenters did not sway her.

“They don’t live across the street from it,” she said.

And what exactly would be so terrible about living across the street from New York City's latest icon, an architectural masterpiece? What, she's afraid her neck muscles will ache from looking up all the time?

[NYCLuver]

I agree with NYGuy about this Fass character. Who is telling her to live across the street from the building? If she can afford living there in the first place, she can easily pick up and move elsewhere.

And I can't believe she is actually worried about this tower being a target. Yes, when you have City Hall and the rest of the Downtown area just a few streets away, people will target this residential tower. Definitely makes sense. :sly:

Anyway I am glad that the tower is going to continue going up! And if Fass doesn't like it, move out and let me move in! :shrug:

[pattali]

So great !!!!

I am so glad to hear that !

[NewYorker2009]

This is great news. I look forward to seeing Beekman Tower reach its final height. The new World Trade Center will take at least another 8 years to complete because of the delays so at least we'll have the Beekman Tower to look at.

[CHAPINM1]

Have they moved beyond the first setback (38th floor) and onto the 39th yet?

[CSABA8]

Great news !!! i can sleep better now :P ... anyway who start this rumors must be punch in the nose !

[RoldanTTLB]

Have they moved beyond the first setback (38th floor) and onto the 39th yet?

There's been no work on the top in a week and a half. The crane has not been moved, and no forms have been touched (there really hasn't been anyone even up there). Work continues on the school and the facade. I might be down there tomorrow and be able to take a few pics. I was trying to take some from the bridge this morning (there's a ton of curviness visible from it), but the batteries in my camera died after the first picture.

[NYguy]

anyway who start this rumors must be punch in the nose !

It's always best to get more details before pressing the panic button.

[NYguy]

jedi chesser (http://www.flickr.com/photos/43359020@N00/sets/72157615906680015/)

http://farm4.static.flickr.com/3619/3389411076_bf38df5d01_o.jpg


http://farm4.static.flickr.com/3231/3389426156_af3627782e_o.jpg


http://farm4.static.flickr.com/3605/3389425976_85e17ce0bb_o.jpg

[caltrane74]

You mf'ers made the news!!!

wtf y'all!!!!!

How big is that paper in New York anyways?? or is it just online...

[JDRCRASH]

It's already made a huge impact on the skyline....if it's finished it will really make the Brooklyn Bridge-adjacent mini-skyline seem more connected to DT.

[NYguy]

How big is that paper in New York anyways?? or is it just online...

It's a Downtown paper, but its also online. They usually go further in depth on things as they relate to Downtown, so it's a good source.

[NYguy]

http://www.lowermanhattan.info/construction/project_updates/beekman_tower_8_spruce_83718.aspx

The following information was last updated on March 24, 2009.

-Superstructure work is underway, and continues through spring 2010.
-Mechanical floor 38 is now being erected.
-Full sidewalk closures on Spruce and Beekman Streets beside the work site
-Extended work hours Monday through Saturdays 6:30 a.m. to 8 p.m
-The contractor heightens ("jumps") the crane is appx. every two to three weeks
-Curtain wall installation began February 11, 2009

[CHAPINM1]

:previous: Great to hear!!! :previous: I had a pretty good idea the reason the 38th floor was taking a while becuase it was a setback floor, but also since it's a mechanical floor that explains a lot as well. They can take as long as 2 to 3 weeks to complete. Look back at the Trump Tower Chicago construction as an example.

[antinimby]

Except they're not actively working on that floor. All concrete construction at the top has stopped.

[NYguy]

Except they're not actively working on that floor. All concrete construction at the top has stopped.


If it hasn't stopped already, it's expected to...

http://downtownexpress.com/de_309/ratnersays.html

Ratner says Gehry tower will keep rising

http://downtownexpress.com/de_309/beek.jpg

By Julie Shapiro
March 27 - April 2, 2009

...Baumgarten said the addition of new floors had paused so Forest City could look for ways to save money, possibly by re-bidding construction contracts. She is not worried about finding a market for the building’s 903 apartments, which will range from $4,000 to $15,000 a month.

“There’s been no change in the design of the building,” Baumgarten said in a phone interview. “Work is continuing on the building.”

[NYguy]

charleschen (http://www.flickr.com/photos/c_chen/3396993155/sizes/l/)

http://farm4.static.flickr.com/3457/3396993155_616729274f_b.jpg

[NYguy]

Quote from an article in the NY Times...
http://www.nytimes.com/2009/04/01/nyregion/01unions.html?ref=nyregion

Deal to Cut Costs Is Close For Builders and Unions

By CHARLES V. BAGLI
March 31, 2009


Bruce Ratner, a developer who traditionally builds with union contractors, recently stopped at the 38th floor of his planned 76-story Beekman Tower in Lower Manhattan, threatening to cap the building at 40 stories if construction unions did not accept concessions on wages and work rules.

Mr. Ratner, who is not involved in the current negotiations, stopped work for three months early last year while he scrambled to obtain $680 million in construction financing. At that time, he decided to switch from condominiums to rentals. In another cost-cutting move, he modified the design by the architect Frank Gehry, using a standard curtain wall instead of one that would seem to be undulating, on one of the tower’s eight sides.

[CGII]

This building is gonna rock the skyline from Brooklyn...

[RoldanTTLB]

A few of these are from Tuesday (never found time to post them), and a few are from this morning. Work continues apace at the bottom, but still nothing on top.

http://lh5.ggpht.com/_3T08TVQ0h2g/SdTjlVQXSVI/AAAAAAAAB0k/fff_ExQ6Rp8/s800/DSC01155.JPG

http://lh6.ggpht.com/_3T08TVQ0h2g/SdTjmNjpYNI/AAAAAAAAB0s/1Vu08SmQaOU/s800/DSC01157.JPG

http://lh4.ggpht.com/_3T08TVQ0h2g/SdTjmkKZYGI/AAAAAAAAB00/5sZGGdxKzTw/s800/DSC01161.JPG

http://lh5.ggpht.com/_3T08TVQ0h2g/SdTjnQs7kkI/AAAAAAAAB08/I64bdZmnt_I/s800/DSC01163.JPG

[NYguy]

http://lh6.ggpht.com/_3T08TVQ0h2g/SdTjmNjpYNI/AAAAAAAAB0s/1Vu08SmQaOU/s800/DSC01157.JPG

I think this tower could end up as Downtown's version of the "Chrysler", a tower that's not the tallest, but highly distinctive among the other towers, recognizable around the world.

[NYguy]

Comparison to Ratner's 80 Dekalb in Brooklyn
http://curbed.com/archives/2009/04/03/construction_watch_forgotten_ratner_shows_its_face.php?o=1

http://curbednetwork.com/cache/gallery/3595/3409761318_82cf270e16_o.jpg__http://curbednetwork.com/cache/gallery/3610/3409761188_08c2d3af33_o.jpg


http://curbednetwork.com/cache/gallery/3402/3408952363_4e66f64f48_o.jpg

[antinimby]

Good comparison NYguy. 80 Dekalb is the poor man's Beekman tower.

[Antares41]

Yes! I noticed the similarity also between the De Kalb Ave building and Beekman Place. Looks to be similar sheet material but with different sheet forms, with the Beekman being the more complex. Hopefully they won't be similar in height, 80 De Kalb will be 405 ft.

[NYguy]

Good comparison NYguy. 80 Dekalb is the poor man's Beekman tower.

LOL. I hope Gehry eventually gets his own Brooklyn towers built at Atlantic Yards. There has been talk that he's off and on.

[CoolCzech]

“There’s been no change in the design of the building,” Baumgarten said in a phone interview. “Work is continuing on the building.”

"In another cost-cutting move, he modified the design by the architect Frank Gehry, using a standard curtain wall instead of one that would seem to be undulating, on one of the tower’s eight sides."

Obviously, there is a disconnect somewhere... How much of a change does this really amount to?

And why would making the tower into a rental instead of condo project cut costs?