Construction on the new Hilton Garden Inn at 136 West 42nd is progressing rapidly, and the building is already taller than its western neighbor, the old Knickerbocker Hotel. The tower has nearly twenty floors to go before topping-out, which will give it a minimal neighborhood presence.
Designed by Peter Poon, 136 West 42nd really seems quite adequate so far—barring any garishly unfortunate cladding, it should make for simple, aesthetically harmless filler. The Hilton Garden Inn will provide a total of 282 new hotel rooms.
Three blocks north, work is coming to a close on the new Hyatt, at 135 West 45th Street. The tower’s western and eastern sides are completely blank. Though unattractive, they are along the Hyatt’s lot-lines—given the boom in new construction, it shouldn’t be long until neighbors spring up.
Even at 550 feet, the Hyatt is lost in the Midtown canyons, and is completely invisible once outside the immediate vicinity. Per the New York Observer, opening is scheduled for later this year.
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| 136 West 42nd Street |
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| 136 West 42nd Street |
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| 135 West 45th Street, Hyatt Times Square |
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| 135 West 45th Street, Hyatt Times Square |
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| 135 West 45th Street, Hyatt Times Square |
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