Got a chance to view some of the presentation for CB5, which mostly focused on where the action is, the ground level improvements. I'm even more excited for this development now.
Overall, the CB did a good job with questioning, although there was one older guy who kept asking why this building couldn't just be a nice, 800 ft building like the Met Life, lol. Also
there was a suggestion that any developer should just pay for the public improvements out of the goodness of their hearts.
On that note, even though the Hyatt/Grand Central lots will be treated as a single lot for zoning purposes, they will still have to pay for the use of those remaining air rights.
The City says Ka-ching! (Depending on how you look at it, that's either a shakedown, or smart zoning, and applies to all in Hudson Yards and Midtown East).
The elevated plaza (or I should say plazas) was the idea of Borough President
Gale Brewer. Credit where credit is due, I love the idea. It's basically what would happen
if they created a High Line type park one the GC viaduct. It's multi-level, and I can't wait to explore it.
The design of the building, of course, is still in design phase, but there will be some presentation of it before the end of the month.
And finally, some grabs from the presentation...
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You can see the outline of the outdoor plaza here, as it wraps around the building. To be known as the Chrysler, Graybar, and Grand Central terraces.
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Overview of ground floor improvements...
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Some preliminary renderings of the 42nd Street passage/transit hall...
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Some subway line (4,5,6) station improvements include removing the obstructions in green...
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To allow for a cleaner flow, additional stairs. (Different improvements for this station will come from the 343 Madison development).
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There will also be a direct connection to the subway station (bypassing the rest of the terminal) from the lower level concourse and the new LIRR terminal.
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A section view of the Lexington passage, including the escalators that they expect half of the tenants to use to enter the terminal...
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Lexington Avenue side, where the hotel entrance will be...
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The multi-level terraces. It may be programmed with some retail and a restaurant...
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