NEW YORK | 5 West 13th Street | 538 FT | 30 FLOORS

[Busy Bee]

I know this is Skyscraper Page, but do all of you guys have such a hard on for anything tall that you are willing to totally disregard the negatives that might come with that, like totally ignoring context and destroying a streetwall precedent that helps define the urban "room" - let alone not expose the hideous lot line walls of flanking structures?

How is that any different than the historical mistake of towers-in-the-park city planning with it's fine grain street grid removal and complete disregard for the fundamentals of traditional urbanism?

Have any of you even considered that this project could be even better if it adhered to a more sensitive massing that preserved the streetwall or is it just "tall thing good. Tarzan like!" ?

[streetscaper]

Originally Posted by Busy Bee

I know this is Skyscraper Page, but do all of you guys have such a hard on for anything tall that you are willing to totally disregard the negatives that might come with that, like totally ignoring context and destroying a streetwall precedent that helps define the urban "room" - let alone not expose the hideous lot line walls of flanking structures?

How is that any different than the historical mistake of towers-in-the-park city planning with it's fine grain street grid removal and complete disregard for the fundamentals of traditional urbanism?

Have any of you even considered that this project could be even better if it adhered to a more sensitive massing that preserved the streetwall or is it just "tall thing good. Tarzan like!" ?

[mrnyc]

living nearby for a million years the empty utter crapola that was there actually got on my nerves, so i am glad it will be replaced by something nice. the height is a bit jarring for only 37 super riche condos, it sez it will be tallest in the village. not convinced the streetwall or lot lines are an issue at all here.

[territhemayor]

The zoning law is the law, what do you guys think about their case on the merits? It's in the challenge.

[territhemayor]

The NYTimes picked up the zoning challenge

https://www.nytimes.com/2025/10/06/nyregion/luxury-supertalls-development-manhattan.html

[Jemmie713]

Here come the nimby's. Upon reading that article you would think they're talking about the village. I don't know about anyone else but I for one do not consider 14th and 6th to be the village.

[NYguy]

The DOB only enforces the zoning, they don't make the zoning. These idiots never understand that. Yet, they're trying to tell the DOB how to do their jobs.


https://www.otdowntown.com/news/group-asks-dob-to-block-30-story-greenwich-village-tower-NA5147492

Group Asks DOB to Block 30-Story Greenwich Village Tower
Legion Investment Group wants to build a 30-story condo building at 5 W. 13th St. The advocacy group Village Preservation has called the project “dramatically out-of-scale”—and out of compliance with zoning regulations.





06 Oct 2025

Village Preservation’s executive director, Andrew Berman, has written a letter to DOB Commissioner James “Jimmy” Oddo, imploring him to reject the project’s zoning approval.

“This proposed 538-foot-tall, 36-unit luxury condo development is appallingly out of scale for this site and this neighborhood. On the basis of these objections, I urge you to reject the requested zoning approvals,” Berman wrote.

”The developer claims these plans conform to Mayor Adams’s new “City of Yes” zoning regulations, which if true, would legally require the City to approve the plan and issue permits,” a press release by Village Preservation adds. They then make it clear that they do not, in fact, believe that the plans “conform” to the new regulations.

Janes makes a few elaborate objections to the zoning plans as is, the first being that “the building does not comply with ZR-35 61.” In other words, Janes and Berman believe that the proposed tower violates “street wall base minimum height” requirements. In layman’s English, they’re essentially arguing that the proposal’s facade is not aligned with the character of the buildings next to it, which is important for “contextual zoning” regulations intended to create a consistent visual experience for locals.

Secondly, and much more bluntly, Janes and Berman argue that the proposal “has too much [residential] floor area.” They argue that some of said floor area has not been properly accounted for, which would put it out of compliance with zoning laws.

[Crawford]

Andrew Berman and the West Village NIMBYs have a long history of filing frivolous lawsuits, losing and then whining.

Also, 14th Street has zero charm and is not remotely West Village. It's perfect for larger residential buildings, considering its a wide street with tons of transit, including one of the busiest subway hubs in the Western Hemisphere.

[mrnyc]

Originally Posted by Crawford

Andrew Berman and the West Village NIMBYs have a long history of filing frivolous lawsuits, losing and then whining.

Also, 14th Street has zero charm and is not remotely West Village. It's perfect for larger residential buildings, considering its a wide street with tons of transit, including one of the busiest subway hubs in the Western Hemisphere.

meh, all the major cross streets have that scenario.

but the south side of of w14st is indeed west village and the north side chelsea.

thankfully, the brt changeover and now these rebuilds of various trashy properties have already and will continue to go a long way to upscale w14th.

with close to a dozen redevelopments its far, far better already than it was not very long ago --- his one will only continue that trend.

[NYguy]

Originally Posted by Crawford

Andrew Berman and the West Village NIMBYs have a long history of filing frivolous lawsuits, losing and then whining.

That’s why I say they like wasting time. So many issues in the city that could use that dedication and time. Nobody’s saying the Village needs to be overun with tall towers. But even with this one and a few others, it wouldn’t be.

[territhemayor]

"Janes makes a few elaborate objections to the zoning plans as is, the first being that “the building does not comply with ZR-35 61.”

In other words, Janes and Berman believe that the proposed tower violates “street wall base minimum height” requirements. In layman’s English, they’re essentially arguing that the proposal’s facade is not aligned with the character of the buildings next to it, which is important for “contextual zoning” regulations intended to create a consistent visual experience for locals."

I am curious what you all think. Read ZR 35-631, which is the zoning rule for this site, and then look at the plans.

https://zr.planning.nyc.gov/article-iii/chapter-5#35-631

""For Commercial Districts mapped within, or with a residential equivalent of, R8 through R12 Districts, when located within the Manhattan Core, the following street wall location provisions shall apply along wide streets:
The street wall shall be located on the street line and extend along the entire street frontage of the zoning lot up to at least the minimum base height specified in Section 23-432, or the height of the building, whichever is less. ""


This site is a C6 zoning with r8 equivalent in the manhattan core

The minimum base height of r8 equivalent is 60 ft. The zoning diagram shows one or two stories of street wall, not 60 ft. Therefore this is in violation of the current zoning rules for height factor buildings.

Seems pretty cut and dry to me. The building doesn't comply with the zoning rules. I wonder why was this ZD1 was approved in the first place?

[mrnyc]

to summarize, their arguements are:

— its out of scale for the area (its too tall)
— the streetwall rules are not being followed
— there is too much residential floor space
— and lastly the zoning drawing is deficient

[Busy Bee]

Originally Posted by territhemayor

"Janes makes a few elaborate objections to the zoning plans as is, the first being that “the building does not comply with ZR-35 61.”

In other words, Janes and Berman believe that the proposed tower violates “street wall base minimum height” requirements. In layman’s English, they’re essentially arguing that the proposal’s facade is not aligned with the character of the buildings next to it, which is important for “contextual zoning” regulations intended to create a consistent visual experience for locals."

I am curious what you all think. Read ZR 35-631, which is the zoning rule for this site, and then look at the plans.

https://zr.planning.nyc.gov/article-iii/chapter-5#35-631

""For Commercial Districts mapped within, or with a residential equivalent of, R8 through R12 Districts, when located within the Manhattan Core, the following street wall location provisions shall apply along wide streets:
The street wall shall be located on the street line and extend along the entire street frontage of the zoning lot up to at least the minimum base height specified in Section 23-432, or the height of the building, whichever is less. ""


This site is a C6 zoning with r8 equivalent in the manhattan core

The minimum base height of r8 equivalent is 60 ft. The zoning diagram shows one or two stories of street wall, not 60 ft. Therefore this is in violation of the current zoning rules for height factor buildings.

Seems pretty cut and dry to me. The building doesn't comply with the zoning rules. I wonder why was this ZD1 was approved in the first place?

Thanks for posting this and welcome to the forum!

This has a simple solution. Increase the height of the base to preserve a cohesive streetwall on wide 14th. If this means they have to shift mass around and it might lead to a height chop, so effing be it. Perhaps it could be balanced out by allowing for a U-shaped base of matching height on narrow 13th - but with a center courtyard void as it would conceal flanking lot line walls while giving some breathing room to a narrow street.

An opportunity for a win-win is being handed to them. Yes it's just my opinion, but I think that could lead to a better design and a better addition to the city.

[territhemayor]

I think two buildings, one facing 13th and one facing 14th, is all that is allowed by the current zoning. OR one through building, like it was, which seems unlikely.

It will be interesting to see DOBs response and what the developer will counter wtih.

[chris08876]

Demolition Nears Completion for 538-Foot Skyscraper at 5 West 13th Street in Greenwich Village, Manhattan

Demolition is finishing up at 5 West 13th Street, the site of a 30-story residential skyscraper in Greenwich Village, Manhattan. Designed by Kohn Pedersen Fox and developed by Legion Investment Group and EJS Group, the 538-foot-tall structure will span 111,022 square feet and yield 36 condominium units with an average scope of 3,020 square feet. The project will also include 2,300 square feet of ground-floor retail space with two storefronts. The through-lot property is alternately addressed as 8–12 West 14th Street and located between West 13th and West 14th Streets near Fifth Avenue and Union Square.

Most of the former six-story occupant of the site was razed since our last update in late April, when demolition preparations were just getting underway. Black netting and scaffolding shroud the remaining two stories of the midcentury structure, which should likely complete demolition before the end of the year.

==================
NYY

[ChiND]

Demolition Wraps Up For 538-Foot Skyscraper At 5 West 13th Street In Greenwich Village, Manhattan

https://www.newyorkyimby.com/2025/12/dem...reet-in-greenwich-village-manhattan.html

This building is going to be absolutely spectacular!
It’s a shame that the developer couldn’t acquire the two eyesores to the east. I’m opposed to razing old buildings, but they’re dilapidated.



Michael Young

[ChiND]

Lest there be any doubt, this is the Age of the Myceneans!

https://www.6sqft.com/30-story-condo-will-be-the-tallest-building-in-greenwich-village/

30-story condo will be the tallest building in Greenwich Village

By Aaron Ginsburg

February 10, 2026

[The New York Lion]

Originally Posted by ChiND

Lest there be any doubt, this is the Age of the Myceneans!

https://www.6sqft.com/30-story-condo-will-be-the-tallest-building-in-greenwich-village/

30-story condo will be the tallest building in Greenwich Village

By Aaron Ginsburg

February 10, 2026

It's about time Greenwich Village got some height!

[ChiND]

I love this project, but I wouldn't want anything this tall south of 14th Street. Greenwich Village is one of America's most extraordinary neighborhoods, and its historic, lowrise character should be preserved.


Wally Gobetz/Flickr

[ChiND]

This tower is going to be absolutely extraordinary!!!