NEW YORK | 1 Manhattan West | 995 FT | 71 FLOORS

[j-biz]

^^

From today:

[vkristof]

Originally Posted by j-biz

^^

From today:

Neat!

Is the not-fully-assembled red crane on the north side of the Penn Station pit (SW corner of 33rd & 9th) new to the site?

PS: I watched most of this week's PBS American Experience: Rise & Fall of Penn. Pretty good show.
Amongst many tidbits in the show

The construction site also became an object of fascination for ordinary passersby who who were just struck by the breathtaking size of the operation. It was an almost unworldly scene that was going on. Nobody had ever seen a hole this big and Nobody has seen an excavation project this ambitious.

We are talking 1904-1910 when people did not have 300 channels w/ nothing on but I think it was impressive 28 acre hole. This screncap shows what I think is the temporary viaduct supporting 8th Ave (Haeger Storage Warehouse was on 8th between 33rd & 34th St):


pbs.org: http://video.pbs.org/video/2365179328/

[mkeit]

The Stonebridge Manitowoc crane on the 33rd St side was moved from the track level on 31st St. I assume there is steel to be erected on that side too.

[NYguy]

http://chelseanow.com/2014/02/brookf...-office-space/

Brookfield Bolsters Manhattan West Project with Overhaul of 33rd St. Office Space

February 26, 2014
BY SAM SPOKONY

...In January 2013, the developer began construction on a three-acre platform that will eventually allow it to begin building out the entire Manhattan West site, which is planned to include two 60-story commercial towers, a luxury residential tower, a hotel and 2.1 acres of new public space.

“We really put our money where our mouths were on that one, and we just got right underway,” Friedrich said at the February 10 event, referencing the start of work on the platform. “And just a few weeks ago, we [finished] the first span that’s going to make up the platform and support the whole project.”

With that recent milestone in mind, he added that work on the platform is actually “slightly ahead of schedule,” and is expected to be completed by the end of this year. Based on that timeline, Brookfield plans to open the first office tower by 2016 ― a goal that, if met, would place the new development squarely in line with the completion of renovations to 450 West 33rd Street.

Swift completion of the platform would also see Brookfield rise relatively on pace alongside the massive new development on the other side of 10th Avenue ― namely, Related Companies’ Hudson Yards project, which is reportedly starting construction on its own 10-acre platform soon, and which hopes to complete its first, 52-story office tower by the end of 2015.

As of now, the entire Manhattan West project is estimated to be completed by 2020, according to Brookfield. And regarding Brookfield’s planned public space within the development, its total acreage is actually a newly increased figure, up from an original plan of 1.5 acres.

Several days before its announcement regarding 450 West 33rd Street, Brookfield told Community Board 4 that it had applied for a zoning change ― which will ultimately have to be approved by the city ― to bump up the public space to 2.1 acres. The space ― comprising of a series of interconnected plazas ― is being designed by James Corner Field Operations, which also designed the walkway of the nearby High Line park.

“One of the things we’re very excited about is the opportunity to create a dramatic increase in open space for the neighborhood,” said Keith O’Connor, an associate partner with the James Corner firm (and who has previously worked for New York City’s Department of City Planning), at the aforementioned February 10 event.

“And while this is going to be a series of open spaces that all have different sizes, spatial characteristics and amenities, it’s important to note that they’re all integrated in a singular way, under the overall plan.”

The three key elements of the space, according to his firm’s plan, are the Entry Plaza, a Central Plaza and an Art Plaza. The Entry Plaza, facing Ninth Avenue, will be an “animated, active space to welcome visitors,” featuring lush trees, as well as seating areas with some tables, O’Connor explained. The Central Plaza ― the main area which will fill more than an acre, or just over half the total space ― will extend from there, leading through the space between Manhattan West’s two 60-story office towers, featuring more greenery. That space will also include a stage area for concerts and other performances, as well as a retail pavilion spanning around 100 feet wide.

He further explained that the Art Plaza, planned for the corner of Ninth Avenue and West 31st Street, will be deliberately designed with a more flexibly open area in order to accommodate, unsurprisingly, one or more large works of art. “There will be the opportunity to place something really monumental there, a significant piece, such as a sculpture,” said O’Connor. The installation of some particularly iconic piece of public art within Manhattan West could perhaps parallel ― or, on the other hand, rival ― a similar idea that’s already being planned just blocks away at Hudson Yards.

Last October, it was announced that Related had hired renowned British artist Thomas Heatherwick to design a “new icon for the city,” as a centerpiece of Hudson Yards’ public plaza. Brookfield hasn’t made any such announcement for its own art space ― at least not yet.

[mrnyc]

what a construction site!

[NYguy]

The covering of this site (and Related's west side yards) will be similar to the reconstruction of the "ground zero" hole in the ground. By the time it's covered, it will be hard to believe there was a time when it wasn't.

[Perklol]

This is a less existing development in the Hudson Yards vicinity. Not really liking the plaza component or the generic towers going up. (take a look at the residential building renderings) The plaza here in addition to Related's plaza will make it feel like another 6th avenue, which is already bad enough. A hostile feeling, a sense of not being in a city but in one, emptiness everywhere. I'd prefer a East Midtown type commercial area not a suburban office in the park type.

Regarding the office towers, I wouldn't be surprised if something lackluster gets built there in 2025... (according to NYyimby) I mean what else could they design in a tight space??

[JayPro]

Originally Posted by Eveningsong

I mean what else could they design in a tight space??

So...
BTW forgive what might appear to be a bit of incredulity-fueled snark at your statement here; No offense meant...
You're asking if something that's been proven feasible from an engineering standpoint six ways to Sunday like...oh, let's say...111 57th can't get built around a tight space?

Surely you can't be insinuating by extension that sixty mudderloving feet measured along the north-south dimensions of the freaking plot of the tower aforementioned isn't tight......

[NYguy]

There is a large amount of space being built on site, but with the sale of air rights from Farley, the question again becomes who could be on the receiving end. The plan for 15 Penn is now defunct, maybe the Penn East plan could be revived. As the largest development site in the vicinity, Manhattan West would be able to absorb the extra 1.5 msf, but is that likely, I don't know.


http://online.wsj.com/news/articles/...11571756703010





By LAURA KUSISTO and ELIOT BROWN CONNECT
March 2, 2014

Empire State Development Corp., the state economic-development agency, is looking for a broker to sell 1.5 million square feet of unused real-estate-development rights attached to the property on Eighth Avenue between 31st and 33rd streets, according to a request for proposals posted on its website last month.

It is unclear which property owners would be eligible to buy the development rights, a crucial factor in determining their value. The state has the ability to override zoning laws and potentially sell development rights anywhere in the city. But more likely it would allow rights to be transferred for construction within a few blocks of the post office.

Local officials, some of whom said they weren't aware that the state had begun searching for brokers, said they were concerned about ensuring community input before promoting significant new development in the area.

"There's a very serious question of where they are going to put 1.5 million square feet of development," said Assemblyman Richard Gottfried, who represents the neighborhood. "That's an awful lot of development in an area that is already way overloaded."

http://www.dailymail.co.uk/news/arti...re-Garden.html

[NYguy]

http://nypost.com/2014/03/03/skadden...ble-2020-move/

Skadden asking about possible 2020 move

By Steve Cuozzo
March 3, 2014

Skadden, Arps, Slate, Meagher & Flom, which shares the Durst Organization’s game-changing 4 Times Square with Condé Nast, has its eye on newer pastures when its lease expires in 2020.

It sounds like a long way off — but planning takes that long when a company is weighing a move to new towers that won’t be finished for several years.

Skadden Arps, we’re told, has sent out a request for proposals for around 450,000 square feet to Larry Silverstein and Brookfield Properties, among others.

Silverstein, of course, is developing three World Trade Center towers, including the completed 4 WTC, which is still seeking its first private-sector tenant.

Brookfield is itching to start building at Manhattan West, its five-acre site between Ninth and Tenth avenues in the West 30s.

An exit by Skadden Arps would mark a turning of the page in its neighborhood’s commercial history.

Although 4 Times Square is often called the “Condé Nast building,” it’s been as much the “Skadden Arps building” since Douglas Durst in 1999 opened the tower, which first established the “new Times Square” as a prime office district.

Of course, Skadden Arps, which also has space at 1440 Broadway, might well be using the RFP to wrest more favorable renewal terms from Durst.

The powerful corporate law firm will soon be 4 Times Square’s only office tenant, once Condé Nast moves to the Port Authority’s and Durst’s 1 WTC early next year.

Asked to comment on Skadden’s RFP, Durst rep Jordan Barowitz said, “They are doing their due diligence, and if they are interested in new construction they have to begin that process now.”

Reps for both Brookfield and Silverstein declined to comment.

Skadden Arps’ broker, Jones Lang LaSalle New York president Peter Riguardi, was traveling and could not be reached by press time.

[Perklol]

No that can't be. This is the worst area for an office building out of the rest going up

However, they could change their minds when East Midtown Rezoning passes later this year.

[NYguy]

Originally Posted by Eveningsong

No that can't be. This is the worst area for an office building out of the rest going up

However, they could change their minds when East Midtown Rezoning passes later this year.

Depends on what passes. Undo the old plan, no new buildings there would be able to be occupied before 2021. Nothing could begin construction before 2018.

[Perklol]

Originally Posted by JayPro

So...
BTW forgive what might appear to be a bit of incredulity-fueled snark at your statement here; No offense meant...
You're asking if something that's been proven feasible from an engineering standpoint six ways to Sunday like...oh, let's say...111 57th can't get built around a tight space?

Surely you can't be insinuating by extension that sixty mudderloving feet measured along the north-south dimensions of the freaking plot of the tower aforementioned isn't tight......

Your right in saying that I don't know the dimensions of the lot. I could be wrong but it looked like a smaller space last I was there. Was it too soon to speak? A little. Sorry..

[scalziand]

This site is two blocks wide, not just the little bit of ground next to the RR cut. It's not a small site by any means. If it weren't for the adjacent Hudson Yards, this would be the largest development site in Midtown.

[Perklol]

Originally Posted by scalziand

This site is two blocks wide, not just the little bit of ground next to the RR cut. It's not a small site by any means. If it weren't for the adjacent Hudson Yards, this would be the largest development site in Midtown.

Oops!

Yeah I was in a hurry so I wasn't paying attention haha...
I was thinking that its almost as big as the post office across the street.

[Hypothalamus]

As of March 7th, 2014...
Photo Credit: j-biz


©j-biz

[Perklol]

Very nice seeing this development taking shape.

Is more info on that residential building? (ground breaking date, height, etc,.)

[NYguy]

http://www.dnainfo.com/new-york/2014...verdevelopment

Pols Fear Moynihan Station Air Rights Sale Could Lead to Overdevelopment


By Mathew Katz
March 10, 2014

Moynihan Station is set to become a huge new transit hub at the Farley Post Office, but several local politicians are afraid it could bring huge overdevelopment with it.

The Empire State Development Corporation quietly moved to hire a broker to sell off 1.5 million square feet of air rights from the Farley Post Office on Feb. 6, clearing the way for nearby developers to buy them up and build even taller buildings.

Neighbors and local elected officials said they had no idea the sale was coming, and now want the community to have input — and any buildings that get the air rights to undergo a full public review process.

In a March 5 letter to Empire State Development, Rep. Jerrold Nadler, Assemblyman Dick Gottfried, state Sens. Adriano Espaillat and Brad Hoylman, Manhattan Borough President Gale Brewer and City Councilman Corey Johnson all slammed the corporation for a lack of transparency.

"The RFP [for a broker] came as an unwelcome surprise to us," the politicians wrote in the March 5 letter. "We had not been given notice of the timetable for or any indication of a plan or policy to guide the sale of the Farley air rights...As representatives of this area, we share our community's concern about significantly increasing density in the immediate area surrounding the station."

The air rights would likely sell for hundreds of millions of dollars to a development near the congested area, which is already set to see several new skyscrapers with the Hudson Yards project. According to the RFP, the sale will help fund the second phase of construction on Moynihan Station, turning the post office into a cavernous train hub.

"Phase 2 will transform the Old Sorting Hall within the Farley Building into the new, sky-lit train hall comparable in size to Grand Central Station — increasing the concourse capacity of Penn Station by a third," Empire State Development wrote in the request for proposals. "Amtrak will relocate its operations from Penn Station to Moynihan Station upon completion of Phase 2."

The politicians hope that any development that buys the air rights go through a public review process and that urban planners are involved. They also want to open up the air rights sale to sites outside the immediate area around the post office.

"We want to ensure that if there are air rights that are sold, it goes through ULURP," Johnson said, referring to the city's Uniform Land Use Review Procedure, which would require City Planning and City Council approval.

Prospective brokers had to submit their proposals by Feb. 20, but Empire State Development has yet to announce which firm was chosen to market the air rights.

"The Request for Proposals for a broker is the very first step in this part of the process, and we will continue to work closely with the community and local elected officials as we have been throughout the entire project," an Empire State Development spokesman said.

So let me get this straight. Currently, the only large towers going up directly outside of Farley are the Manhattan West towers - which are on a superblock, with hardly any large towers north or south of that. The redevelopment of the building into Moynihan Station has been stagnant for years due to lack of funding, and these people are more concerned about skyscrapers rising around New York's busiest transit hub?

They should all be shipped off for lack of proper priorities or stupidity.

[Perklol]

Seems like this could(sort of) benefit future developments?

The politicians hope that any development that buys the air rights go through a public review process and that urban planners are involved. They also want to open up the air rights sale to sites outside the immediate area around the post office

It isn't clear on what is the immediate area around the post office. Could they think about selling as far as the Hudson Yards? Up to 42nd Street?

The area around the post office has many ~20 story prewar and run-down buildings. I don't see any sites that would warrant so many air rights in the near future.

[NYguy]

Originally Posted by Eveningsong

Seems like this could benefits future developments?

What is the immediate area around the post office? Could they think about selling air anywhere around the city? That should yield some serious $$.

The immediate area is just that - the area around the Farley building. The plan has always been to sell the air rights for development around the immediate area, specifically to create a dense office district along the lines of Grand Central, though it wouldn't reach that scale. They were at one time going to use development rights to build a skyscraper directly out of the building itself.









It's an area that really doesn't have any large buildings, the Manhattan West towers will be the first.

(old rendering)