NEW YORK | 685 First Ave (Con Ed dev) | 459 FT | 42 FLOORS

[pico44]

Haha. You guys really hate this thing, huh? I think it's badass, personally. This tower is a total 'eff you' by Solow to the community. He wanted to build tall and thin and the community fought him tooth and nail to cut height. He basically said, "you want me to build 'em short, huh? Ok, I'll build it short, fat and sideways so all your views will be blocked." At leasts he hired a brilliant architect to make it beautiful

[antinimby]

^ That might be Solow’s thinking but the NIMBYs probably will not get that message. These people (if they are still around) are thinking how “massive” and “monstrous” this tower is.

You’ll be surprised how little knowledge of building/architecture/planning the attendees know. They are mostly older, retirees that go because that’s something to do and they only have one mindset: stop/stifle/downsize the developers and their proposals.

What they do know is driven by the CB’s anti-development pamphlets and propaganda.

I went to this one for the Solow East side rezoning back in 2008 and I can tell you that most of those attendees are probably not even alive today.

[antinimby]

There were shrieks and gasps of horror that reverberated throughout the audience whenever the developer talked about or showed images of the buildings. These people act like a nuclear plant was going up right next to them or that someone was going to murder their family. NYC CB/public meetings are that lopsidedly against development.

I thought I would go to one of them and speak in favor of the development but I felt like I was literally the only person in support of it versus hundreds that were vociferously against it. I was that intimidated by the time I got there that I didn’t even bother to say anything.

All you would hear from the conversations around you were how “terrible” this or that would be.

[Prezrezc]

Please don't get me wrong here...

...But farbeit from me to wish death upon anyone.

That said;

If in fact the majority of NIMBY's, wherever they might lurk, are getting on in years, it might be a fair assumption to make that a lot of them won't be around much longer.

However those to whom they bequeath their hyperconservative stupidity are gonna fight like hell to keep the smoldering torch going.

[chris08876]

Credit: Martin Kalfatovic

[mrnyc]

as seen from tudor city today

[mrnyc]

nothing happening in the con ed pit

[chris08876]

Originally Posted by mrnyc

That whole stretch along West Street as shown the shot (Greenpoint in the background waterfront) is ripe for towers. A future skyline node in the making.

[chris08876]

Completion Nears, Sales Launch For Solow’s 685 First Avenue In Murray Hill

Construction is moving along at 685 First Avenue, as it nears completion in Murray Hill, Manhattan. The 42-story tower has officially launched sales ahead of its anticipated opening later this year, or early next.

If you’ve looked over the East River recently toward Midtown, you may have noticed the new monolith between East 39th and East 40th Streets. The minimalist tower, designed by Richard Meier & Partners Architects, stays true to the consistent aesthetic of developer Sheldon Solow’s Solow Building Company.

Solow is most famous for the slopping black tower with a bold white frame overlooking Central Park from 57th Street.

At 685 First Avenue, the most distinctive addition to the façade is a cutout near the middle of the tower. This provides an aesthetic break, and the opportunity for private balconies with duplex units on the 28th and 29th floors.

The 459-foot tall structure yields 800,000 square feet for residential use, and 10,000 square foot for ground-floor retail. The building will be split between rentals and condominiums, with 448 rentals on floors three through 27, and now 148 condominiums on floors 28 through 42.

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NYY

[mrnyc]

one more from queens

[Zerton]

I actually like this one a lot even though it is very simple. It's simplicity done right.