Image via Complex Original
To put it simply, Manhattan's skyline is the most iconic cityscape in the world. King Kong wouldn't have been King Kong without the Empire State building. Spider-Man couldn't swing through any other metropolis with such ease. Woody Allen could not have made Manhattan without, well, Manhattan. But as iconic as the monoliths of New York seem to be, the city is constantly changing. Old buildings get torn down, new high-rises go up, and the skyline looks slightly different than it did before.
Not since the 1920s has their been so many notable, wildly ambitious new projects as there are right now. And with the economy kicking back into gear, a massive housing shortage in the city, and relative affordability for the super-rich (I'm talking about 100-millionaires plus), New York is once again experiencing a boom in massive new structures—most of which are residential. Below are 10 new developments all set to be completed in the next few years. So, the next time alien worms invade New York on the big screen, don't be surprised if they head for the Nordstrom Tower.
Nathan Reese is a News Editor at Complex living in Brooklyn. He tweets here.
One Vanderbilt
Neighborhood: Midtown
Height: 1,450 ft.
Cost: $223 million
Expected completion date: 2020
Due to recent Midtown East rezoning, massive skyscrapers can once again be developed in the heart of New York. One Vanderbilt, located across the street from Grand Central station, is taking full advantage of the new rules. The building's proximity to Grand Central will allow it to connect to the terminal itself, expanding the iconic Art Deco station's floor plan. (There there has been some debate as to whether the new skyscraper will detract from the magnificent landmark it literally overshadows.) Still, progress is progress, and it looks like One Vanderbilt is marching forward for a 2020 completion.
432 Park Ave.
Neighborhood: Midtown
Height: 1,396 ft.
Cost: $76.5 million
Expected completion date: 2015
432 Park Avenue is more than the latest in a series of mega-tall residential skyscrapers that seem to be cropping up all over the city—it will also boast the title of tallest primarily residential tower in the Western Hemisphere. To put into perspective just how massive the SLCE and Rafael Viñol-designed building really is, it would count as the tallest building in Manhattan if it weren't for One World Trade's spire. (Still, that honor will be short-lived: the planned Nordstrom Tower will be even taller—more on that later.) As one might expect from a building with such bold aspirations, the condos will be ultra lux: almost 13-foot ceilings, 10 by 10 foot windows, and the latest conveniences including "30,000 square feet of private amenities." As for the price, units range from a measly $17,175,000 to a whopping $82,500,000. So yeah, if you happen to drop a cool $50 mil on a three bedroom, feel free to invite me over for dinner. I'll bring the Franzia.
22 Thames St.
Neighborhood: Lower Manhattan
Height: 960 ft.
Cost: $23.5 million
Expected completion date: 2017
While 432 Park may boast the title of tallest residential building on the continent, 22 Thames will hold the status as the tallest residential tower in Lower Manhattan—not too shabby. Like 432 Park, 22 Thames St. has been designed by "starchitect" Rafael Viñoly who has become the go-to guy for the enormous towers of the one percent (or .01 percent, as the case may be.) While the first two levels are set to house retail spaces, the rest of the building's 70 stories will be made up of luxury condominiums. Put your bids in now.
Nordstrom Tower
Neighborhood: Columbus Circle
Height: 1775 ft.
Cost: $1.5 billion
Expected completion date: 2018
Not only will the Nordstrom Tower block some of 432 Park's shine when it goes up, its shadow will literally block out the sun on much of Central Park. (Seriously, people are legitimately worried about this!) Set to reach 1,775 feet—a height meant to confer deference to One World Trade's symbolic 1,776 foot spire—Extell Development's latest tower will officially be the second tallest building in North America. (The roof height, however, will be the tallest in the Western Hemisphere.) The design recalls the Willis Tower (a.k.a Sears Tower) and even the Burj Khalifa in Dubai, with cantilevered sub-towers and a spire at the top. Quite frankly, it's hard to undersell just how massive this thing is going to be.
30 Park Pl.
Neighborhood: Lower Manhattan
Height: 926 ft.
Cost: $660 million
Expected completion date: 2016
Silverstein Properties has gone for a neo-art deco look for 30 Park Place, a beefy new tower that will look right at home next to classic Manhattan cloud ticklers from the '20s. The building, like so many of the city's soon-to-be-completed skyscrapers, will also contain luxury condos (157, to be exact), though 27 floors will be occupied by a Four Seasons hotel that will also manage the private residences. Of those hotel rooms, 15 percent will be suites, and the "Royal Suite" alone will occupy a whopping 3,500 square feet. (Speaking of royalty, if the Sultan of Brunei happens to be reading this, the least you could do is return my calls. What happened to our brunch date, bruh?)
101 Murray St.
Neighborhood: Tribeca, Lower Manhattan
Height: 950 ft.
Cost: $200 million
Expected completion date: Not Available
Early spec images of 101 Murray St. had the building with a bold (some might say ugly), space ship-like structure at its top. While that design has mercifully been axed, the glass-sheathed tower still has a bold-enough look to force craned necks. The Kohn Pedersen Fox-designed tower will stand a stones throw away from One World Trade, making it a bold addition to a part of the city with relatively few skyscrapers. As for the tenants of the building—you guessed it—101 Murray is going to have 129 condos filling out its 63 stories. Bankers rejoice.
Essex Crossing
Neighborhood: Lower East Side
Height: 75 ft. - 238 ft.
Cost: $1.1 billion
Expected completion date: 2023
Finally, a development that's not all condos, or even a skyscraper at all. Essex Crossing is actually a massive development spanning nine separate building sites on six acres comprising "1.9 million square feet of residential, commercial, and community space." The new buildings will occupy theSeward Park Urban Renewal Area (a.k.a. SPURA), a part of the Lower East Side that's been mostly unocuppied since 1967. According to Delancey Street Associates, the entire development is set to be completed by 2023. But with a project of this size, you never know. One thing's for sure: the Lower East Side is going to look profoundly different in the years to come.
56 Leonard St.
Neighborhood: Lower Manhattan
Height: 821 ft.
Cost: $450 million
Expected completion date: 2015
56 Leonard may not be the tallest new building under construction, but it does have one of the most daring designs. Basel, Switzerland-based architecture firm Herzog and de Meuron has envisioned the building as a series of cantilevered boxes, which look sort like a game of Jenga put together by really drunk party guests. Still, credit must be given. In a landscape of sleepy glass phalluses, 56 Leonard is sure to stand out. And it looks like people are into the design. Full-floor five-bedroom units were priced to move at $33 million.
360 Tenth Ave.
Neighborhood: Hell's Kitchen
Height: 772 ft.
Cost: $167 million
Expected completion date: 2016
Set on the west side of Hell's Kitchen, 360 Tenth Ave. will incorporate both housing and offices in its substantial complex. Hell's Kitchen has been making a big push to market itself as a place you might actually want to live (Gotham West Market being possibly the most compelling argument), and 360 Tenth Ave. will serve as the most modern and luxurious new building to join the 'hood. It also happens to be across the street from the Hudson Yards development, another massive new project that includes its own giant towers—including a 1,337 skyscraper. And to think, this was once a neighborhood so bad that Daredevil had to patrol it. Looks like it's now been overrun with kingpins of its own.
50 West St.
Neighborhood: Lower Manhattan
Height: 725 ft.
Cost: $500 million
Expected completion date: 2016
If you're thinking about buying a condo in the multi-million range and amenities are a priority, look no further than 50 West. According to the developer, there will be a "Water Club" with a hot tub, pool, sauna, and activities "for adults and children." There's a fully-functioning gym, an entertainment lounge, and a rooftop observatory where tenants can see panoramic views of New York and New Jersey. Perhaps the most luxe option of all, however, are the "office condominiums" available for purchase by residents who would prefer not to commute. So basically, it's possible to sleep, exercise, swim, and work in the same building. Because real bawses never even have to leave the damn house.
