Buildings don't necessarily have to abide by zoning rules, but if they don't, approval must be granted on a case by case basis. That's what the 6 month process is for. I really don't care what is going up in Dubai, because New York isn't Dubai, nor should it pretend to be. So let's leave what's going up in Dubai to Dubai and concentrate on what's going up here.

New York's is a skyline that evolved naturally, and the pieces fit together like a puzzle. There are no isolated skyscrapers surrounded by open space, the buildings tend to meet at the street. It's for this reason there are streetwall requirements - both in length from the street and in height - written into City zoning. Everything works together, as opposed to an "experimental" piece here or there. A talented architect can have a "daring" design, yet meet the City as a part of it. There can be new things introduced, yet not feel totally alien to the City. Yet, at the same time, there is a practicality to what get's built in New York. These are not merely "statements", but the natural evolution of the skyline.

So, what you will get here is a large store at the base. Nordstrom wants large, column free floors, so the tower will most likely be offset somehow. The units will be maximized so that they will sell. Whatever architectural flair there is will come after this.

In Canadian cities it is very common for multiple towers to share the same base, and more often than not these towers are not boxy. Especially the newer ones.

Maybe the zoning codes are more flexible? Who knows.

Anyways, I am fine with an unconventional tower, as long as the base is totally pedestrian friendly, and respects the streetscape.

Another permit filed today....


http://a810-bisweb.nyc.gov/bisweb/Jo...ssdocnumber=01

wait!! Did this get cut to 150 feet!?!?!

That's the height of the existing building. This is a permit for alteration, not a new building permit.

The permit number for the new building is in the quote. What the latest permit is for is also quoted.

so its an entirely new different site?

the permit is about the building that is already their..so its the building thats getting torn down..

Oh okay, Thanks! i got scared for a second hahaha

If you read that far down, you must have seen the job description (partially quoted here). There are two other permits referenced, one for a building that stood, and another for a new building. The latest permit is not a building permit, but an action related. See the new building permit for info on it.

December 27, 2012


http://www.pbase.com/nyguy/image/148052980/large.jpg



http://www.pbase.com/nyguy/image/148052981/large.jpg



http://www.pbase.com/nyguy/image/148052983/large.jpg



http://www.pbase.com/nyguy/image/148052985/large.jpg



http://www.pbase.com/nyguy/image/148052980/original.jpg



http://www.pbase.com/nyguy/image/148052981/original.jpg



http://www.pbase.com/nyguy/image/148052983/original.jpg



http://www.pbase.com/nyguy/image/148052985/original.jpg

So it terms of size, how does this site compare with One57?

^Bigger, by about a third.

A comparison of sites according to documents filed. Keep in mind that the Nordstrom filings aren't complete.

One57

http://www.pbase.com/nyguy/image/148058184/original.jpg


Nordstrom

http://www.pbase.com/nyguy/image/148058186/original.jpg



The Nordstrom tower plans are preliminary, and we still don't know a whole lot about it. But from the one permit that was filed, we can gather a few things. According to the permit, there will be 4 sublevels (2 for the store). The main or ground level floor of the Nordstrom has almost double the capacity for all of the other floors in the store.

Store floors and person capacity
SL 2..................532
SL 1..................589
1st fl.................938
2nd fl................462
3rd fl.................474
4th fl.................474
5th fl.................429

That gives the store 7 total floors. The ground floor will also have the residential and hotel lobbies.

Floor 6 is mechanical.

Floors 7 through 12 are for the hotel, with the 7th floor having the hotel sky lobby and lounge, offices, and a nail and hair salon.
The 8th floor would have an exercise room as well as hotel rooms.

Floor 13 is mechanical.

Floor 14 is a residential lounge.

Floors 15 through 20 have 4 units.
Floors 21 through 32 have 3 units.

Floor 33 is mechanical.

Floors 34 through 49 have 3 units.

Floor 50 is mechanical.

Floors 51 through 66 have 3 units.

Floors 67 through 68 are mechanical.

Floors 69 through 83 have 2 units.

Floors 84 through 88 are mechanical.

Floor 85 also has storage units and a 100 person capacity sky lounge.

Of course, this can and probably will change.

^I see, okay, that seems to make sense.

A look at the landmark next door, one of the sites that contributed air rights to the development of this tower...


http://www.cityrealty.com/nyc/real-e...th-street/7741

Extell buys air-rights from Art Students League on West 57th Street


http://www.cityrealty.com/graphics/u...6_artsstu1.gif


February 9, 2006



(January 1, 2013)


http://www.pbase.com/nyguy/image/148125409/original.jpg



http://www.pbase.com/nyguy/image/148125408/original.jpg




Meanwhile, Extell gets an award from the NY Post...

http://www.nypost.com/p/news/busines...ZT1ew2PZdi4MFI

January 2, 2013
by Lois Weiss

Barnett is more Santa than Grinch....;)

For us, at least....:cheers:

I just hope congress doesn't decide to kill the economy and bring this project with it. :(