NEW YORK | 125 West 57th Street | 440 FT | 26 FLOORS - Page 7

Busy Bee · #**121** Posted **Jun 25, 2021, 2:37 AM**

This is a weird one.

I re-read the news article that NYGuy posted this morning, and if you really read the language, it is NOT at all clear that they are talking about a 100% demolition. Here is a part that stood out:

Quote:

Calvary Baptist Church had once wholly owned the building, as well as the neighboring Salisbury Hotel at 123 West 57th Street, and has occupied the property for its ministry since the late 1800s. Calvary will retain ownership of, and occupy, the current space at the base of the property, which is in line to be redesigned, expanded and modernized as part of the redevelopment.

They keep referring to the "base of the property". The base of the property as something separate from the office tower developement. At first I thought they were just using that as a stand-in for the original building, but then it dawned on me that they may be proposing keeping the historic limestone base of the Calvary church building but removing everything above? And the language of "redesigned, expanded and modernized" is NOT the terminology you would use to explain new construction, its the terminology you would use to explain a renovation.

If accurate, this could be a real silver lining that lessens the sting of losing the remainder of the structure.

Thoughts?

NYguy · #**122** Posted **Jun 25, 2021, 6:56 AM**

When in doubt, always go with what the actual filings in the DOB say. People, and especially reporters can get outdated or not completely accurate information. Filings in the DOB have to show exact plans. However, that doesn’t mean those plans can’t change. But when they do, it’ll be reflected there. So we’ll see what exactly is being done when the demo permits are filed.

UrbanImpact · #**123** Posted **Jun 25, 2021, 3:34 PM**

This one truly saddens me if the demolition goes through. The existing church building has a truly unique NY historical charm. Shame! If they could keep the façade, remove the top ornamental tower, and design the modern portion with a pinnacle that emulates the previous (could be in modern materials), then that would be ideal IMO.

Hotel Salisbury - New York, New York by Cardboardamerica@gmail.com, on Flickr

NYguy · #**124** Posted **Jun 25, 2021, 8:50 PM**

^ The tower at the top is the best part of the building. If they were gonna save the building, I think a Steinway styled addition would have worked best, a slim residential tower.

NYguy · #**125** Posted **Jun 25, 2021, 9:02 PM**

http://www.cbcnyc.org/news/developme...t-announcement

Development Project Announcement

Jun 15, 2021

Quote:

Calvary rejoices that the year-long delay in its real estate development project has ended, with the final signing of a development agreement with Alchemy-ABR Investment Partners and Cain International.

The work to dismantle the current building will begin immediately, and the architectural plans and major terms of the transaction remain unchanged. We thank God for His continued provisions and the faithful prayers of the saints.

A recent history of religion in New York City (God in Gotham) commented that "the theologically conservative Calvary Baptist Church plunged into Manhattan modernity," establishing its own radio station in 1923 and in 1931 constructing a sixteen-story church-and-hotel complex in Midtown. This next chapter in our history on 57th Street plunges us into “Manhattan modernity” once again with a new forward-looking facility, used to proclaim the unchanging message of Jesus Christ

NYguy · #**126** Posted **Jun 25, 2021, 9:08 PM**

This is looking like part of the new facade…

https://mobile.twitter.com/CBC_NYC

NYguy · #**127** Posted **Jun 25, 2021, 9:32 PM**

And demo & new building filings will move forward…

http://a810-bisweb.nyc.gov/bisweb/Jo...ssdocnumber=01

http://a810-bisweb.nyc.gov/bisweb/Jo...ssdocnumber=01

Busy Bee · #**128** Posted **Jun 25, 2021, 10:33 PM**

The Nothing has come to sweep it all away...

_

Hudson11 · #**129** Posted **Jun 25, 2021, 11:44 PM**

looks very glassy. I predict a box like 250 west 55th.

JMKeynes · #**130** Posted **Jun 26, 2021, 1:43 AM**

Quote:

Originally Posted by Hudson11

looks very glassy. I predict a box like 250 west 55th.

I don’t think that it can be strictly a box because the developers keep referring to multiple outdoor terraces. I suspect that it will be a box but with cutouts on the sides.

You can see it in this “rendering.” Some of the floors on the east side seem to be double height. Perhaps they will be outdoor spaces.

Anyway, this seems that it will be very lame.

NYguy · #**131** Posted **Jun 26, 2021, 2:19 AM**

^ Yes, that is the basic outline of the tower.

Manitopiaaa · #**132** Posted **Jun 26, 2021, 7:06 PM**

Quote:

Originally Posted by NYer34

This just sucks.

What an amazing piece of architecture and history we are losing.

New York loves its developers more than itself. And the developers treat New York like a two-bit hooker.

Isn't it ironic that, of all groups, its the Churches that are the first to worship at the Altar of Mammon by destroying their history for cash? I think the Catholic Church is one of the biggest real estate developers in New York. So much for "greed is bad, tradition is good."

JMKeynes · #**133** Posted **Jun 26, 2021, 7:39 PM**

It’s the Anglican Church. Queen Anne granted them an enormous amount of land in the very early 1700s.

https://ny.curbed.com/2018/8/22/1776...-hudson-square

jackster99 · #**134** Posted **Jun 26, 2021, 8:35 PM**

I don't understand, if this building is only 440 feet high, how they are going to market and position it as a Central Park views office building. At that height only the top couple of floors would have views right? If my memory serves me correctly, there are relatively large buildings in front of this. So even the top couple might be generous. Might only be the very top floor.

My hope is they have't fully revealed everything yet, and this tower will end up significantly higher. Hopefully it's another 111 W57th situation. That tower started out proposed as only 670 feet high, and we all know how it turned out.

JMKeynes · #**135** Posted **Sep 28, 2021, 12:49 PM**

Deleted

JMKeynes · #**136** Posted **Sep 28, 2021, 12:51 PM**

I wonder when a rendering will be released.

FXCollaborative rarely disappoints.

Manitopiaaa · #**137** Posted **Sep 29, 2021, 2:38 AM**

Seems like a horrible trade-off. If this isn't a supertall, I'd rather keep the historic building.

JMKeynes · #**138** Posted **Sep 29, 2021, 2:52 AM**

Quote:

Originally Posted by Manitopiaaa

Seems like a horrible trade-off. If this isn't a supertall, I'd rather keep the historic building.

I agree, but this is a done deal. A small office building will rise here.

I don’t know how it will have park views either since the Hampshire House is about 440’ tall.

JMKeynes · #**139** Posted **Sep 29, 2021, 4:26 AM**

https://www.google.com/amp/s/nypost....for-tower/amp/

JMKeynes · #**140** Posted **Dec 11, 2021, 5:13 AM**

The NB application was approved this week, and the Zoning Diagram is now available. It's super-lame for this location. If it were on 3rd Ave and 28th St., for example, I'd be ok with it. In this location, however, it's a total waste. FXCollaborative doesn't really drop the ball, but in this instance, they committed a game-losing fumble in the end zone.

http://a810-bisweb.nyc.gov/bisweb/BS...de=ES291633271