Quote:
Mr. Macklowe boasted that his observatory would be the highest of the six existing or planned observatories in the city.
Daniel Garodnick, a former city councilman who played a key role in the city’s rezoning of East Midtown for taller towers, was taken aback by Mr. Macklowe’s plan.
“This project goes way beyond what is allowed to be built,” Mr. Garodnick said, “and it needs to be carefully scrutinized in a detailed public review.”
Mr. Macklowe was undaunted. He contended that his project “validates the wisdom” of the city’s rezoning.
“Tall buildings are a reality,” he said. “The days of restrictions on buildings are really over. This is a building that’s never been built before, a 21st-century building.”
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Somebody put Garodnick back in the box. I like Macklowe's spirit.
The area has been zoned for a FAR of 18. I'm not sure of the exact size of the combined footprint. But maybe it's going through ULURP because it has a greater FAR.
