CitizenM, a new budget hotel, is now rising at 218 West 50th Street. The design leaves much to be desired, although there’s definitely a need for economical hotel rooms in New York City. Although the building’s design is quite bland, it will definitely help improve the immediate area, which remains a hodge-podge of the establishments that characterized Times Square pre-Giuliani.
The future hotel, with construction photos under the jump–
Nevermind, we were awakened with more noise early on May 17th. The crew has returned and nets are now hanging and I expect a crane any day. At only 19 floors we will have an excellent view of their mechanicals from the 21st floor of Ritz Plaza on 48th. I hope their gawdy light board will not be on 24/7.
The light board is definitely awful. I’ll be by the site again soon with updates, although I’m sure you don’t need any reminders given the noise! It’s a shame that slummy/short buildings are still rising in Times Square–the entire neighborhood should be upzoned (in my opinion)… creativity is never a bad thing, and the biggest hindrance in New York is FAR limits.
Fantastic pics! I’ll post them up tomorrow in a new entry, great view on the project. If it does rise past 19 stories that would be most unfortunate, as I think most would prefer this to be as invisible as possible!
This comment has been removed by the author.
Nevermind, we were awakened with more noise early on May 17th. The crew has returned and nets are now hanging and I expect a crane any day. At only 19 floors we will have an excellent view of their mechanicals from the 21st floor of Ritz Plaza on 48th. I hope their gawdy light board will not be on 24/7.
The light board is definitely awful. I’ll be by the site again soon with updates, although I’m sure you don’t need any reminders given the noise! It’s a shame that slummy/short buildings are still rising in Times Square–the entire neighborhood should be upzoned (in my opinion)… creativity is never a bad thing, and the biggest hindrance in New York is FAR limits.
I have some pix from our vantage point. How can I get them to you?
I put them here. Feel free to grab and post.
-Dave
https://picasaweb.google.com/drdavenyc/218W50?authuser=0&authkey=Gv1sRgCOLB5sbD68-84QE&feat=directlink
I uploaded some new pix to the above site this morning. They are moving fast and making more noise!
Thanks for the update! I’ll definitely go by the site soon for more photos.
Added some more. They’re going fast!
Added more pix.
https://picasaweb.google.com/drdavenyc/Building?authuser=0&authkey=Gv1sRgCOjiy-Tq5azAeQ&feat=directlink
I think it’s above the 19 floors you quoted!
Fantastic pics! I’ll post them up tomorrow in a new entry, great view on the project. If it does rise past 19 stories that would be most unfortunate, as I think most would prefer this to be as invisible as possible!
More pix added:
https://picasaweb.google.com/drdavenyc/Building?authuser=0&authkey=Gv1sRgCOjiy-Tq5azAeQ&feat=directlink
It appears that they stop work at 6pm, but the noise is all night long pumping concrete. Now they have 2 elevators.
Update 8-2-2012:
https://picasaweb.google.com/drdavenyc/Building?authuser=0&authkey=Gv1sRgCOjiy-Tq5azAeQ&feat=directlink
Narrow at the top now and more thicker concrete. Noise is still the same. We need some sleep!
Flag is flying so it is not topped out. It is dwarfed by surroundings, and the noise is less! Follow the link above. 6 more pix added.
Thanks for the photos! Will post them today. Glad the noise is abating!