The Baccarat Hotel and Residences – located at 20 West 53rd Street – has moved well into the tower phase of construction, and is now over twenty-five stories in height. Its presence remains insignificant, like any similar-sized building in the Midtown jungle, but it will gain limited prominence once it reaches its 610-foot pinnacle – though MoMA’s Jean Nouvel-designed Torre Verre, which is 440 feet taller, will soon rise across the street.
As the building continues its ascent, facade installation has also begun. The Baccarat Tower’s glass is semi-underwhelming, though the dissonance between the various renderings resulted in no real expectations anyways. If the released images of 20 West 53rd are accurate, the building’s lot-line walls may very well become its most distinguishing feature – though that is not to say the tower will be distinguished.
With 115 rooms and 64 residences, the Baccarat Hotel and Residences will be a destination for Midtown’s luxury travelers, regardless of the tower’s final aesthetic. If the current speed of construction is any indication – which is quite rapid, comparing today’s photos with the set from May, taken exactly one month ago – the Baccarat Tower should be ready for occupation in 2014-15.
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