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

[Roadcruiser1]

It's down. There is no more exterior elevators. The building is complete, and is open. It should now be moved to the completed thread.

[Obey]

^^^ 1. Let's get some pictures of the exterior elevators being down and 2. I have a view of the Beekman and can see dozens upon dozens of construction lights still on at night. I don't think its done quite yet.

[Roadcruiser1]

I think I can prove it. See any exterior elevators in this picture, and it is recent too, but maybe the interior might still be getting fittings. Furnishings are most likely being installed. Maybe some glass too.
http://upload.wikimedia.org/wikipedia/commons/8/84/Beekman_Tower_fr_BB_jeh.jpg

[Obey]

^^^ Really nice. Was that just today? Even so, I don't think its still complete.

[case_architect]

http://wirednewyork.com/forum/attachment.php?attachmentid=12373&d=1298837112

these are from sherpa on wired ny taken on sunday. there are still exterior elevators on what i believe is the north side of the building.

[hunser]

^^ yes, the hoist is still there... :-|

[NYguy]

It's down. There is no more exterior elevators. The building is complete, and is open. It should now be moved to the completed thread.

Only, its not completed. We aren't awaiting removal of the elevator (which hasn't happened), but completion of the building, including the school at its base.

[NYguy]

atl 10trader (http://www.flickr.com/photos/davidmarcel/5473157245/sizes/l/in/photostream/)

http://farm6.static.flickr.com/5135/5473157245_ba2d615663_b.jpg

[Don098]

Only, its not completed. We aren't awaiting removal of the elevator (which hasn't happened), but completion of the building, including the school at its base.

I thought so. It's just the angles that make it seem like the elevator is gone. It's not.

[Upward]

Well, speaking of those angles that completely hide the construction...

https://webfiles.uci.edu/cfagan/ssp/nyc11/IMG_3246crop.jpg

I got my first really good view this building today, from the Brooklyn Heights promenade, and Brooklyn Bridge Park (where this was taken).

[NYguy]

^ Great shot. I'm glad this building is in such a prominent location on the skyline.

[hunser]

street level (http://www.flickr.com/photos/913street/)
http://img708.imageshack.us/img708/2652/5492491173c12e0d4a11b.jpg

[Obey]

He had me fooled that the hoist was gone. I knew it was not down yet.

[hunser]

Kevin Steele (http://www.flickr.com/photos/kevinsteele/page2/)
http://farm6.static.flickr.com/5020/5513601001_29526438da_b.jpg

[NYguy]

NYMAN2010 (http://www.flickr.com/photos/51949497@N08/5522706373/sizes/l/in/photostream/)

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http://farm6.static.flickr.com/5011/5500063878_66f990184a_b.jpg

[OneWorldTradeCenter]

Shot from Wikipedia:

http://upload.wikimedia.org/wikipedia/commons/2/29/New_York_By_Gehry_Building_.jpg
http://upload.wikimedia.org/wikipedia/commons/2/29/New_York_By_Gehry_Building_.jpg

[NYguy]

marko8904 (http://www.flickr.com/photos/marko8904/5502866825/sizes/l/in/photostream/)

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http://farm6.static.flickr.com/5138/5503454396_72cfee4acf_b.jpg

[Obey]

It really blends into those gray New York days.

[brian.odonnell20]

street level (http://www.flickr.com/photos/913street/)
http://img708.imageshack.us/img708/2652/5492491173c12e0d4a11b.jpg

2 buildings, 98 years apart.

[NYguy]

Joel Raskin (http://www.flickr.com/photos/joelrnyc/5533842602/sizes/l/in/photostream/)

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[J_M_Tungsten]

Joel Raskin (http://www.flickr.com/photos/joelrnyc/5533842602/sizes/l/in/photostream/)

http://farm6.static.flickr.com/5215/5533842602_e93e35c142_b.jpg


God, New York City neighborhoods are awesome

[NYguy]

danamtl (http://www.flickr.com/photos/danamtl/5517728726/sizes/l/in/photostream/)

http://farm6.static.flickr.com/5216/5517728726_7c6f07d3cb_b.jpg



http://farm6.static.flickr.com/5216/5517728726_24d1ce3405_o.jpg

[hunser]

astikhin (http://www.flickr.com/photos/29769428@N07/)
http://farm6.static.flickr.com/5140/5516749874_3dff3df19c_o.jpg

[JDRCRASH]

^ What's going on with the brooklyn bridge? Is it being cleaned, or repainted? Or are some of the trusses above the road being replaced?

[SkyscrapersOfNewYork]

^ What's going on with the brooklyn bridge? Is it being cleaned, or repainted? Or are some of the trusses above the road being replaced?

restoration and renovation.


here ya go.

Brooklyn Bridge construction starts Aug. 23, keeping Manhattan-bound lanes closed nights till 2014

BY SAMUEL GOLDSMITH
DAILY NEWS STAFF WRITER
Saturday, August 14, 2010
A massive rehab of the Brooklyn Bridge will begin Aug. 23, keeping Manhattan-bound lanes closed most nights until 2014.

Manhattan-bound lanes will close Monday through Friday from 11 p.m. to 6 a.m., Saturdays from 12:01 a.m. to 7 a.m. and Sundays from 12:01 a.m. to 9 a.m., according to the city's Department of Transportation.

Brooklyn-bound lanes and pedestrian paths will stay open during construction. Cars leaving Brooklyn will be directed to the Manhattan Bridge.

The $508 million job will double the capacity of two clogged ramps, replace rotting pavement and repaint steel to prevent corrosion.

The rehab will cost the city $286 million, officials said. The remaining funds will come from the federal government, including $30 million from the stimulus bill.
http://articles.nydailynews.com/2010-08-14/local/27072576_1_brooklyn-bridge-lanes-manhattan-bridge

[QuarterMileSidewalk]

A shot as nice as that last one almost lets me forgive the Verizon building for existing. :)

[NYguy]

http://ny.curbed.com/archives/2011/03/21/bono_candice_bergen_get_invites_to_frank_gehrys_penthouse_party.php

Bono, Candice Bergen Get Invites to Frank Gehry's Penthouse Party

http://cdn.cstatic.net/cache/gallery/5291/5546996776_8a9123d68a_o.jpg
Berta Gehry, Bono, Frank Gehry and Ali Hewson

Monday, March 21, 2011, by Joey Arak

Birthday boy Frank Gehry, self-avowed non-starchitect, celebrated his 82nd on Saturday night in the penthouse atop the new 76-story Manhattan skyscraper that is named for him. Guests at this humble little affair included Bono, Candice Bergen, Mike Nichols, Ben Gazzara, Chuck Close, Larry Gagosian, Thomas Krens, Robert A.M. Stern, David Childs and many more luminaries. Developer Bruce Ratner presented the man of the hour with a 40-inch birthday cake shaped like a Gehry-esque tower, and God altered the elliptical orbit of the moon to create a lighting effect that helped New York by Gehry's steel curves shine extra bright above the Lower Manhattan skyline. Talk about connections!


http://cdn.cstatic.net/cache/gallery/5012/5546999182_bf043d703b_o.jpg
Frank Gehry and cake.


http://cdn.cstatic.net/cache/gallery/5292/5547000834_fd1cb83f5c_o.jpg
Candice Bergen tries not to get too close to Gehry's radiating and overpowering brilliance. Mike Nichols is not afraid.


http://cdn.cstatic.net/cache/gallery/5292/5546421807_1a9d9c1006_o.jpg
Frank Gehry tries to escape the awkward conversation between Ben Gazzara, Bruce Ratner, Bono & Carl Bernstein.


http://cdn.cstatic.net/cache/gallery/5011/5546423555_5bc7c65a04_o.jpg
Artist Chuck Close tells Frank Gehry and Thomas Krens about that time he fought a new Noho building that would have been about 1/10th the size of 8 Spruce Street.


http://cdn.cstatic.net/cache/gallery/5051/5547006470_9bb2abd059_o.jpg
Elke Stuckmann, Ben Gazzara and a dog made the list. Did you?

[NYguy]

gbatistini (http://www.flickr.com/photos/gbatistini/5536478199/sizes/o/in/photostream/)

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http://farm6.static.flickr.com/5133/5517591666_41d7fc2a73_o.jpg

[patriotizzy]

Holy cow, that first one you posted NYGUY is awesome!

[hunser]

AlexRatajczyk (http://www.flickr.com/photos/58564115@N04/)
http://farm6.static.flickr.com/5027/5548123596_f1a3814514_b.jpg

[NYguy]

JohnE25 (http://www.flickr.com/photos/guild/5547868861/sizes/l/in/photostream/)

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http://farm6.static.flickr.com/5134/5547868861_e352d59dd5_b.jpg

[NYguy]

Always like this view...

Vivienne Gucwa (http://www.flickr.com/photos/vivnsect/5134151848/sizes/l/in/pool-18964236@N00/)

http://farm5.static.flickr.com/4027/5134151848_584317426a_b.jpg



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cisc1970 (http://www.flickr.com/photos/franciscodaum/5557750384/sizes/l/in/photostream/)

http://farm6.static.flickr.com/5251/5557750384_81c497f142_b.jpg



http://farm6.static.flickr.com/5131/5557747808_a232ebfa0e_b.jpg

[isaidso]

I wish Gehry would design a skyscraper like that for his home town. :(

[BStyles]

It looks like leasing is going pretty well for Beekman.

[Obey]

Lets take that same photo in a couple of years or so. :)

[NYguy]

I wish Gehry would design a skyscraper like that for his home town. :(

Given time, Gehry would probably do for skyscraper construction with his style what Donald Trump did with his name. That means there would be Gehry skyscrapers going up all over the place (he already has enough buildings. Still, I kinda like that this is his signature skyscraper (sorry about Miss Brooklyn).

[STERNyc]

I'm not so sure, the guy did after all just turn 82.

[NYguy]

I'm not so sure, the guy did after all just turn 82.

I know, that's why I said given time. He seems to be at his most popular now, so at least he'll go out on top (if he goes out).

[QUEENSNYMAN]

I love :) this building, it makes a beautiful picture on a clear morning miles away from Rockaway, Queens.

[sbarn]

Always like this view...

Vivienne Gucwa (http://www.flickr.com/photos/vivnsect/5134151848/sizes/l/in/pool-18964236@N00/)

http://farm5.static.flickr.com/4027/5134151848_584317426a_b.jpg

Its amazing how much this view could be improved if the verizon building were imploded/ removed/ reclad. Great pic though. :cool:

[hunser]

already a new york classic....

sparkleplenty_fotos (http://www.flickr.com/photos/47932340@N06/)
http://farm6.static.flickr.com/5140/5530308604_6053ba12f6_b.jpg

[patriotizzy]

Kind of looks like it was cut in half lol.

[BStyles]

already a new york classic....

sparkleplenty_fotos (http://www.flickr.com/photos/47932340@N06/)
http://farm6.static.flickr.com/5140/5530308604_6053ba12f6_b.jpg

1WTC in the back going "i'm right here!" I see its crane trying to poke out in that picture.

This picture is definitely a throwback to the 1920's. if NY were this modern back then it'd probably look just like this.

[NYguy]

That photo does have a classic look to it.


bets270 (http://www.flickr.com/photos/57732278@N00/page2/)

http://farm6.static.flickr.com/5136/5575759247_807a06c9ef_b.jpg



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[NYguy]

flickr4jazz (http://www.flickr.com/photos/flickr4jazz/5577633265/sizes/l/in/photostream/)

http://farm6.static.flickr.com/5051/5577633265_1d251bb020_b.jpg

[NYguy]

Same view...

Princess Lehmann (http://www.flickr.com/photos/princesslehmann/5569347690/sizes/l/in/photostream/)

http://farm6.static.flickr.com/5095/5569347690_245c5cb591_b.jpg



onesevenone (http://www.flickr.com/photos/onesevenone/5556680465/sizes/l/in/photostream/)

http://farm6.static.flickr.com/5069/5556680465_4d96bed018_b.jpg

[2-TOWERS]

an amazing building..... a great adittion to the greatest city ever

[patriotizzy]

That last picture is mind blowing. It's like a wild storm, blowing up my senses!

[NYguy]

APRIL 3, 2011

http://www.bluemelon.com/photo/18586/1281167.jpg



http://www.bluemelon.com/photo/18586/1281168.jpg

[NYC4Life]

Lower Manhattan's amazing collection of old and new, for all of NYC in general is unprecedented and only getting better.

[hunser]

onesevenone (http://www.flickr.com/photos/onesevenone/5556680465/sizes/l/in/photostream/)

http://farm6.static.flickr.com/5069/5556680465_4d96bed018_b.jpg

perfect scene, with such a magnificent building in the background. :slob:

[NYguy]

Structures:NYC (http://www.flickr.com/photos/structures-nyc-photos/5601147039/sizes/l/in/photostream/)

http://farm6.static.flickr.com/5026/5601147039_45abe094e4_b.jpg



http://farm6.static.flickr.com/5104/5601731544_7feb01b583_b.jpg

[Obey]

Cellphone pic (from today):

http://img577.imageshack.us/img577/1271/img4609z.jpg

[NYguy]

http://www.crainsnewyork.com/article/20110410/REAL_ESTATE02/110409874

OK, OK, now you can look
Frank Gehry-designed apartment building attracts fans as well as tenants

April 10, 2011

Since the Frank Gehry-designed apartment building on Spruce Street began leasing in February, scores of Gehry groupies have posed as prospective tenants to get inside the 76-story tower, which offers fabulous views and boasts the creator’s signature undulating facade.

Fans can stop fibbing about their intentions to rent in New York by Gehry, the tallest residential building in the U.S., where studios start at $2,650 a month and a two-bedroom can run as much as $15,000. Building owner Forest City Ratner will soon start giving twice-weekly tours to the architecturally curious.

“We figured we might as well just make it easy for people,” said MaryAnne Gilmartin, executive vice president at Forest City. Plus, the imposter tenants were wasting brokers’ time, she said.

With a little luck, Gehry devotees may catch a glimpse of the man himself. The California-based starchitect will have a pied-à-terre in the tower.

[SkyscrapersOfNewYork]

so it'll be accessible to the public???

[djlx2]

http://www.crainsnewyork.com/article/20110410/REAL_ESTATE02/110409874

OK, OK, now you can look
Frank Gehry-designed apartment building attracts fans as well as tenants

April 10, 2011

Awesome. So psyched. I love those hour-long walking tours, you cover so much ground. Personally, right now, as much as I've been reading about architecture. I wouldn't look forward to seeing the architect himself. You get no reaction whatsoever when you try to tell them you like their designs. In person, the guys who build these things tend to be so cold it's like talking to an ice wall comparable to glaciers and they also have a severe tendency to make you feel incredibly small.

(Understandably, of course. Architects given their nature generally have more interesting things they'd like to attend to in their pied-a-terre.)

[NYguy]

so it'll be accessible to the public???

Looks that way.

Building owner Forest City Ratner will soon start giving twice-weekly tours to the architecturally curious.

[NYguy]

ASdeVera (http://www.flickr.com/photos/asdevera/5612152724/sizes/l/in/photostream/)

http://farm6.static.flickr.com/5184/5612152724_427056ffa2_b.jpg

[BStyles]

Leasing is going very well for this one! That's what happens when you design a beautiful condo! A lot of developers can learn something from this.

They should really light up the parapet at night. Seeing as floodlights are out of the question, at least that will be visually pleasing.

[Obey]

What a beauty

[QuarterMileSidewalk]

Look how the flat side reflects the Woolworth's floodlights! Man, this building is just perfect.

[Troubadour]

I really wish they wouldn't change the names of buildings after building them. I've had a giant 'scraper crush on "the Beekman" since it topped out, and only now hear that it's called New York by Gehry. "Beekman" has personality - "New York by Gehry" is just arrogant and conceited.

[whiteford]

^^^ come on. Give the guy a break. He is a artist for Christ sakes.

[NYguy]

"Beekman" has personality - "New York by Gehry" is just arrogant and conceited.

For whom, the architect or the developer?



http://www.dnainfo.com/20110414/downtown/future-of-gehry-buildings-new-school-at-risk-amid-massive-enrollment-parents-warn

Future of Gehry Building's New School at Risk, Parents Warn

http://s3.amazonaws.com/sfb111/story_lrgimage_2010_10_R6252_SPRUCE_SIXTH_GRADE_DELAYED10272010.jpg

April 14, 2011
By Julie Shapiro


The Spruce Street School's spacious new digs at downtown's glittering $680 million Frank Gehry-designed skyscraper aren't large enough to accommodate the school's expansion plans, parents say.

The fledgling school, which currently serves kindergarten to first-grade students, will relocate from its temporary space at the Tweed Courthouse to the New York by Gehry tower in September.

But parents warn that, despite several floors of classroom space, the school's plan to eventually serve students through the eighth grade is at risk due to the number of kindergarten students the Education Department admitted for the 2011-2012 academic year.

"We're in a big mess," said Kimberly Busi, co-president of Spruce's PTA. "We're really not happy."

Unlike many zoned schools, which have a cap on students and hold a lottery if too many apply, the Spruce Street School has been left wide open to accept all applicants in its geographical zone.

Spruce will take in at least four kindergarten classes this fall, even though the school is only meant to have two classes per grade, Busi said.

The school can handle the influx in the short term because its new school space has 20 classrooms. But parents say that, as the students get older and the establishment grows to include a middle school, there won't be any space left for the older children to use.

Busi fears the situation could get even worse this fall as Department of Education officials have said they may use Spruce as an "overflow" site for kindergartners who are waitlisted at other downtown schools. Busi called this plan "unacceptable."

The Department of Education declined to comment.

Spruce's PTA recently started a petition calling on the DOE to immediately cap kindergarten enrollment at Spruce and to find another place to put the district's extra kindergartners. In less than two weeks, the petition has gathered nearly 100 signatures.

Busi, along with several other Spruce parents who signed the petition and said Busi speaks on their behalf, see the petition as a way of protecting Spruce's middle school, which she and others have long been concerned may never open because there won't be enough room for it.

"The middle school is not going to happen if they keep adding extra kindergarten classes," Busi said. "This is a real, serious risk to the model of our school."

Busi said many parents decided to send their children to Spruce because they were excited about the K-8 structure, which Busi believes provides academic and social benefits to students.

To alleviate school overcrowding in lower Manhattan, the city plans to start a new Downtown school in the fall of 2012. However, that will be too late to help with the situation this fall.

[Fabb]

April 16

http://img862.imageshack.us/img862/4369/p1060826.jpg

http://img860.imageshack.us/img860/6207/p1060835.jpg

http://img851.imageshack.us/img851/1520/p1060854.jpg

http://img195.imageshack.us/img195/5631/p1060855.jpg

http://img853.imageshack.us/img853/5583/p1060856.jpg

http://img202.imageshack.us/img202/2272/p1060857r.jpg

[NYguy]

^ Very Gotham.


BTW, I don't care what people say, the Barclay tower fits in with both Woolworth and Gehry.

http://img862.imageshack.us/img862/4369/p1060826.jpg

[NYguy]

JpNyker (http://www.flickr.com/photos/jpnyker/5629307510/sizes/l/in/photostream/)

http://farm6.static.flickr.com/5104/5629307510_bca2700f24_b.jpg

[NYguy]

April 17, 2011

http://www.bluemelon.com/photo/18586/1313676.jpg

[2-TOWERS]

an amazing building

[brian.odonnell20]

I like that it doesnt have a glass curtain wall... adds a nice touch of contextuality.

[sterlippo1]

JpNyker (http://www.flickr.com/photos/jpnyker/5629307510/sizes/l/in/photostream/)

http://farm6.static.flickr.com/5104/5629307510_bca2700f24_b.jpg

anyone know what street this is? :shrug:

[SkyscrapersOfNewYork]

anyone know what street this is? :shrug:

i believe thats Madison street.

[OptimumPx]

Going by Google Street View it looks like it was taken on East Broadway between Market and Catherine Streets.

[Fishman92]

Going by Google Street View it looks like it was taken on East Broadway between Market and Catherine Streets.

This. ^
Awesome looking building. A like the waterfall like facade, but oddly I also like the plain west facing facades...

[photoLith]

JpNyker (http://www.flickr.com/photos/jpnyker/5629307510/sizes/l/in/photostream/)

http://farm6.static.flickr.com/5104/5629307510_bca2700f24_b.jpg

Oh my God! I just want to make sweet sweet love to this picture.

[sterlippo1]

^^^ i know it, that's why i asked.;) :worship:

[Dac150]

I love the contrast it has with buildings in the immediate areas, especially the high-rises in the civic center.

[sterlippo1]

i like how you can see a sliver of the WFC in there.........

[SkyscrapersOfNewYork]

im beginning to fear that this bldg will not age well....

[djlx2]

im beginning to fear that this bldg will not age well....

I have more confidence in it when I read the article at the beginning of this thread. These endless conversations do sometimes provoke a bit of uncertainty of how any of the buildings under construction will translate into a reality.

[SkyscrapersOfNewYork]

I have more confidence in it when I read the article at the beginning of this thread. These endless conversations do sometimes provoke a bit of uncertainty of how any of the buildings under construction will translate into a reality.

i do have confidence im just saying that day by day im seeing the cladding get a tinted shade.

[djlx2]

i do have confidence im just saying that day by day im seeing the cladding get a tinted shade.

oh. that might be true. honestly, i don't know how well any architect plans the material being used for this purpose. the inclement weather over the past few months, may have done more actual damage than anyone can see on the internet, particularly as a project like this is relatively stand-alone, which worries me in more than a few ways.

[JSsocal]

^^They had a mock up built, so I imagine they left it out in the rain to see how it would fare in weather. As for the shades, yes you can see them, and so far it looks fine, the building could use a little grime, it will still retain the metallic look even in dirt.

[djlx2]

^^They had a mock up built, so I imagine they left it out in the rain to see how it would fare in weather. As for the shades, yes you can see them, and so far it looks fine, the building could use a little grime, it will still retain the metallic look even in dirt.

Probably true. I don't want to seem mistrustful of the architect, but I am doubtful. When it's someone as legendary as Gehry, who has always previously inspired confidence, you tend to roll with the territory and don't question the materials he's using, as much as you're trying to follow them; but when you notice something like what's happening to the cladding, you start to get really, really worried that the materials are going to cause a lot of damage and Gehry isn't going to stop that to make any changes, because he's so focused on his idea of perfection. The cladding might actually be really, really out shape, and he might have had a million memos that this would be an impediment to the building actually going up; but knowing the architect, it was probably really easy to dismiss these as amateur statements not to mention critique any (if poorly worded) information that went along with those that suggested points along the process where the perfect design was actually seriously damaging the manufacture. If construction continued, this was probably just by sheer will of people on the ground who recognized the problems and made themselves deal with them, but if the architect's never going to say, "wait, I did get the memo, let me find a way to turn it around..." it undermines your faith in the architect completely, which is probably why right now the cladding is even being raised as an issue. Basically I have the weirdest feeling these days about the idea of this structure and it being raised into a real-life building, and it's mostly because of all the issues like that. I look at the idea of the architecture and I love it, and I know how I love Gehry, but when you look at something as basic and totally flawed as the use of cladding and how little desire or initiative there seems to be on the part of the architect to change that, or recognize it, or say anything other than "I am right and fit my idea of perfection!" ...and you start to realize that the building is all about Gehry and not really about New York in the first place, which is a jarring and suddenly depressive about the future of architecture in our city, because we'll never get the architect to pause his work long enough to realize there are truly flawed issues with the process that need to be adjusted or even recognize that when he's getting alarm bells along the way that maybe it should be paused. This isn't even a critique of the architect as much as it is the process. If construction workers have an issue of something like severe weathering of cladding based on a poor choice of material, and if their only response from the architect is something like, "deal with it," they'll fix the cladding, but I'd imagine that they'd lose all faith in the architect as far as it being a mutual process for New York; they'd go on faith because of the architect's ability and the fact they like his design, but they'd lose--completely lose--any real sense that the project is about "us", rather than a process about "Gehry," that they've become collectively a part of.

Kind of a rant. It might be the growing sense of dissociation I've felt in the New York skyline for awhile now.

[Trantor]

what an ugly building. Its the kind of skyscraper that if had been built in Dubai or China, everybody (here at SSP) would be bashing.

[QUEENSNYMAN]

I love this tower, it looks great from Rockaway , Queens New York , in the early morning hours when the sun baths it!!

[pico44]

The exterior construction elevator is finally coming down. About time.

I can't wait for the new round of photos once the final panels are installed.

[Boris2k7]

what an ugly building. Its the kind of skyscraper that if had been built in Dubai or China, everybody (here at SSP) would be bashing.

IMO, it's one of those buildings which just sorta works when you see it in person.

[Dac150]

what an ugly building. Its the kind of skyscraper that if had been built in Dubai or China, everybody (here at SSP) would be bashing.

It’s all about relevance to the environment. This building is embraced, at least by me, because it’s such a contrast from the surrounding area.

[Troubadour]

what an ugly building. Its the kind of skyscraper that if had been built in Dubai or China, everybody (here at SSP) would be bashing.

:koko: It's the best thing to happen to New York City in a long time.

[Alliance]

^^^ Its just his opinion. It doesn't require that you agree or to be confused by it. Vice Versa

It might be the growing sense of dissociation I've felt in the New York skyline for awhile now.

I think its a fair point, but I dont think Gehry is that different than a lot of other "starchitects" in this regard. The problem I see is that developers feel required to have starchitects (be it portzamparc or nouvel, etc) designing their residential towers in order to be competative with each other, but starchitects just don't have a vested interest in the city proper that they should. Gehry is just the first of multiple proposals. It seems to me that they're often more interested in proposing trophy towers rather than putting out good, relatable architecture. New York really doesn't have the sense of architectural cohesion it should...not as in buildings being of homogenous styles or materials, but in terms of contexuality and harmony. Having these starchitects designing buildings just isn't be as good as a home-grown group of architects who really care about putting New York first, and not their name, style, or business.

I actually think that the metal cladding material is one of the best parts of this building, so while it probably was just Gehry being stubborn, in some ways it worked this time.

[Lecom]

It seems to me that they're often more interested in proposing trophy towers rather than putting out good, relatable architecture. New York really doesn't have the sense of architectural cohesion it should...not as in buildings being of homogenous styles or materials, but in terms of contexuality and harmony. Having these starchitects designing buildings just isn't be as good as a home-grown group of architects who really care about putting New York first, and not their name, style, or business.

New York has almost always been about 1) competitive trophy buildings with excessive ornamentation and 2) talent and identity gathered from all over the country and the world in general. In this sense, this building is very contextual to the city's architectural identity. The Statue of Liberty was designed by a Frenchman and Chrysler's ornamentation clashed so much with its context that it is still without precedent, not counting watered-down imitations around the world. So why do you have such disdan for trophy towers and a lack of home-grown architects? Just because these strategies are not embraced by some other cities, it doesn't mean they can't, or shouldn't, work for New York.

[Troubadour]

I'm not even sure the concept of "home-grown" makes any sense on the subject of 21st century architecture. What does that even mean? Being derivative and unimaginative? Pointlessly hewing to some stylistic ideology imposed on earlier generations by conditions that no longer exist? The reason cities used to have these rigid artistic mores is that people never left them - they lived in the same place for a dozen generations, and grew up knowing nothing else except in sketches of artwork based on the few who traveled. Now such parochialism is practically the opposite of what it means to be a city.

I am no Gehry fanboy - nearly everything else he's built I've considered a pathetic joke - but this building is a work of genius. This is something magical and yet serious, powerful without being oppressive: It is moonlight captured under water, or the skeleton of some massive mythological beast with a gentle nature. And it's because Gehry dared to be specific for once instead of flying completely off the handle into meaningless abstractions. He dared to bring a dream into sharp, hyperreal focus rather than leaving it a blurred and empty mirage as he usually had. This building is a classic that will undoubtedly spawn mangled, ill-proportioned, gaudy counterfeits around the world, but people will always return to the original and marvel.

[hunser]

http://farm3.static.flickr.com/2320/5731427207_08d69b6dee_b.jpg (http://www.flickr.com/photos/vivnsect/5731427207/)
Frank Gehry's Beekman Tower and NYC Skyline (http://www.flickr.com/photos/vivnsect/5731427207/) von Vivienne Gucwa (http://www.flickr.com/people/vivnsect/) auf Flickr


http://farm3.static.flickr.com/2426/5731937194_55c1db3750_b.jpg (http://www.flickr.com/photos/vivnsect/5731937194/)
The Beekman Tower and the New York City Skyline (http://www.flickr.com/photos/vivnsect/5731937194/) von Vivienne Gucwa (http://www.flickr.com/people/vivnsect/) auf Flickr

http://farm4.static.flickr.com/3216/5728990983_9abf83e82c_z.jpg
J_Arrr! (http://www.flickr.com/photos/james2k11/)


http://farm3.static.flickr.com/2523/5721122152_eaec6d6ef9_b.jpg (http://www.flickr.com/photos/peterpotter/5721122152/)
Beekman Building (http://www.flickr.com/photos/peterpotter/5721122152/) von Pete Potter (http://www.flickr.com/people/peterpotter/) auf Flickr


http://farm6.static.flickr.com/5187/5730778408_d84e43abbd_b.jpg (http://www.flickr.com/photos/arquinetwork/5730778408/)
Beekman Tower / Frank Gehry (http://www.flickr.com/photos/arquinetwork/5730778408/) von chapsRLZ (http://www.flickr.com/people/arquinetwork/) auf Flickr

http://farm6.static.flickr.com/5226/5662215675_c54223ef9f_b.jpg (http://www.flickr.com/photos/wats2u/5662215675/)
Fog (http://www.flickr.com/photos/wats2u/5662215675/) von Wats2U (http://www.flickr.com/people/wats2u/) auf Flickr

[uaarkson]

:previous:

Lighting!?

[Travis007]

Truly a modern masterpiece, looks just just picturesque as depicted in the rendering. IMO, one of Gehry's finest, and one of NYC's best new buildings in decades.

[QUEENSNYMAN]

How would lighting look this beauty, and is it or was it considered?

[QUEENSNYMAN]

How would lighting look on this beauty, and is it or was it considered?


ps sorry about that first message.

[Alliance]

So why do you have such disdan for trophy towers and a lack of home-grown architects? Just because these strategies are not embraced by some other cities, it doesn't mean they can't, or shouldn't, work for New York.

I think you're over-applying my point. I'm not saying that "starchitects" cant design good buildings. I think the hypercompetative, conglomerate based development process in Manhattan promotes their use because they've collectively decided to use celebrity architects as a way to promote their developments. Its a good way to get a diversity of styles (which is desirable), but its not as good with building a cohesive urban fabric or promoting good architecture in low-profile towers as a home-grown city is. I'm not saying it wouldn't be a break with tradition, but its something I think NYC could learn from other cities that would make it just that much better, especially with its development power.

I'm not even sure the concept of "home-grown" makes any sense on the subject of 21st century architecture. What does that even mean?

Its actually more about being creative, original and building a unique movement rather than saying "this is popular, I want one too." And to me it makes much more sense in building smart, 21st century cities, rather than 20 big firms homogenizing the worlds architecture without context to individual cities. Its about being more unique, dynamic, and contextual rather than celebrity.

I am no Gehry fanboy - nearly everything else he's built I've considered a pathetic joke - but this building is a work of genius.

Verbal diarrhea aside, I dont understand how an architects entire body of work can be a joke, but when he does the same thing at 900 ft, its suddenly a monument to humanity. It just comes off as a double standard to me.

[Troubadour]

Its actually more about being creative, original and building a unique movement rather than saying "this is popular, I want one too."

But on what foundation could you possibly build such movements when the architects and the residents of the cities are so interconnected with the world beyond? You'd be asking the designers to guess what they would design if they weren't globally aware - to unlearn every non-local influence and just endlessly elaborate what already exists within driving distance. It would be collective self-parody.

And to me it makes much more sense in building smart, 21st century cities, rather than 20 big firms homogenizing the worlds architecture without context to individual cities. Its about being more unique, dynamic, and contextual rather than celebrity.

I think this building is very contextual. I see a direct path of imagination from Art Deco skyscrapers to New York by Gehry. The difference is that it blows the lid on an entirely new dimension of that realm instead of gilding the lily or engaging in a moth-eaten tribute. This is how design innovation is supposed to happen.

Verbal diarrhea aside, I dont understand how an architects entire body of work can be a joke, but when he does the same thing at 900 ft, its suddenly a monument to humanity. It just comes off as a double standard to me.

Well, I don't think it is the same thing. Is a 5-year-old's finger-painting in the shape of a smiley face an impressionist portrait? Gehry was clearly experimenting with the same elements in his earlier projects that were used here, but this is the first time a project of his has been more than a mere assemblage of arbitrary curves - the first time it has taken life. I don't want to jinx it and be proved a fool if the next thing he builds is crap, but I believe he has evolved to a higher plane of art.