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Excavation Progresses for 29-Story Tower at 930 First Avenue in Turtle Bay, Manhattan

Excavation is moving along at 930 First Avenue, the site of a 29-story residential building in the Turtle Bay section of Midtown East, Manhattan. Designed by Leandro Nils Dickson Architect for the 51 Street De Owner LLC, the 335-foot-tall structure will yield 83 condominium units with an average scope of 645 square feet. The project will also include 3,465 square feet of commercial space and a 20-square-foot rear yard. The property is alternately addressed as 401-405 East 51st Street and located at the corner of First Avenue and East 51st Street.

The following axonometric diagram was recently posted to the construction board, providing a full preview of the upcoming development. The drawing closely matches the above rendering, showing the structure beginning with a six-story podium topped with a wraparound terrace. The main tower then rises with a monolithic massing up to a flat roof with a bulkhead extension. The podium features smaller rectangular windows, while the tower above has larger floor-to-ceiling windows grouped in a two-story grid. Loggia terraces are shown at the southeast corner of the final two stories. The loggias with hanging vegetation at the midpoint of the tower appear to have been scrapped in favor of mullion-free glass panels on the southern elevation and shallow balconies on the western face.

Work has progressed below grade since our last update in April, when demolition was still finishing up on the final remaining occupant of the assemblage at 936 First Avenue. This building, along with the others at 401 to 405 East 51st Street, have been fully cleared and excavation and pilings are now taking place. Foundations will likely finish up in the next couple of months, and the new superstructure could potentially emerge above street level before the end of the year.

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NYY