One of the more interesting new designs coming to Manhattan will be at 50 West 66th Street, where Extell will soon be adding yet another punctuation mark to the city’s skyline. The site is just six blocks away from Columbus Circle, and down the block from Central Park. The building was last on our radar in late 2017, with the news that the project would dramatically increase in size to become the tallest tower on the Upper West Side, taking away the title from 200 Amsterdam Avenue before it could even begin rising. Now, demolition has officially begun on the assemblage’s last structural occupant, while excavation continues apace across the land that has already been cleared.
50 West 66th Street site, image by JC_Heights
Scaffolding now covers the 11-floor structure at 15 West 65th Street, which will be the last piece of the puzzle to meet the wrecking ball.
15 West 65th Street with scaffolding up, image by JC_Heights
The 775-foot tall structure is designed by Snohetta, which incorporates unique shapes in a restrained fashion to complement the neighborhood without leaving out any spirit. The building is separated into two distinct sections by a large outdoor terrace on the16th floor. Above the terrace will be a more slender portion, with two corners removed for discrete, non-obtrusive balconies.
50 West 66th Street, rendering by Snohetta
The base of the structure is designed to be both visually striking, and friendly to pedestrians. As described by Snohetta,
At street level, the building’s podium is sheathed in hand-set and textured limestone with bronze and glass storefronts, complementing the warm material palette of its surrounding neighbors. The north side residential entrance is clad in burnished bronze and limestone that presents a welcoming face to the street, and a similar treatment identifies the entrance to a synagogue at 65th street.
50 West 66th Street, rendering by Snohetta
New building permits have not yet been filed to reflect the growth spurt. Completion is expected by 2019.
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Please pardon me for using your space: Do you like silver facade on the tower?
More glass box, yay.
Having a park right outside your building without having to mingle with the riff-raff below should be a premium advantage.