Façade Installation Continues on NYU’s Expansion at 181 Mercer Street in Greenwich Village, Manhattan

Façade installation is progressing on 181 Mercer Street, NYU‘s 750,000-square-foot expansion in Greenwich Village. Designed by Davis Brody Bond and KieranTimberlake, the 23-story mixed-use project sits along Houston Street between Mercer and Bleecker Streets, directly to the east of I. M. Pei’s three-tower University Village complex.

Recent photos show significant progress on the exterior since our last update in late October, when the glass paneling had only risen to the top of the podium section. Since then, the remaining volumes of the superstructure have also topped out on the northern end of the plot. The construction cranes have all been taken down, though the mechanical elevator hoists on all three towers and the ring of sidewalk scaffolding remain in place.

181 Mercer Street. Photo by Michael Young

181 Mercer Street. Photo by Michael Young

181 Mercer Street. Photo by Michael Young

181 Mercer Street (right) and I.M. Pei’s University Village (left). Photo by Michael Young

The tallest segment of 181 Mercer Street is built along Houston Street, while the other two shorter towers occupy the middle and northern end of the project. All three building rest atop a multi-story podium that would likely have its roof operate as an outdoor terrace. Floor-to-ceiling glass and angled metal panels make up the exterior, creating an interesting contrast with the Brutalist architecture of University Village and the ornate stone work on the outside of 18 West Houston Street, home to the Angelika Film Center, directly to the east.

181 Mercer Street (center) and I.M. Pei’s University Village (left). Photo by Michael Young

181 Mercer Street. Photo by Michael Young

181 Mercer Street. Photo by Michael Young

181 Mercer Street. Photo by Michael Young

181 Mercer Street. Photo by Michael Young

The orientation of these tall and narrow rectangular panels changes around the structure, forming thin parallel patterns of reflections and shadows.

181 Mercer Street. Photo by Michael Young

181 Mercer Street. Photo by Michael Young

181 Mercer Street. Photo by Michael Young

181 Mercer Street. Photo by Michael Young

181 Mercer Street. Photo by Michael Young

181 Mercer Street. Photo by Michael Young

181 Mercer Street. Photo by Michael Young

181 Mercer Street. Photo by Michael Young

181 Mercer Street. Photo by Michael Young

181 Mercer Street. Photo by Michael Young

181 Mercer Street. Photo by Michael Young

181 Mercer Street. Photo by Michael Young

The property is set to contain new housing for students and faculty, additional office space and dining areas, and outdoor landscaped rooftop terraces. Athletic facilities include an indoor six-lane swimming pool, a running track, four basketball courts, squash courts, a wrestling room, and multiple fitness rooms. Finally, the building will feature additional classrooms, studios, multiple theater rooms, practice and rehearsal rooms, a cafe, and a theater complete with balcony and mezzanine seating designed to accommodate up to 556 people.

181 Mercer Street is planned to finish work this winter, as stated on the construction board.

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