Excavation is getting started at 250 West 49th Street, the site of a 28-story residential building in Midtown, Manhattan. Designed by S. Weider Architect and developed by Chess Builders, the structure will yield 138 rental units and 2,500 square feet of ground-floor retail space. The property is located near the corner of Eighth Avenue and West 49th Street.
Recent photographs show excavators and piling machines working below street level across the large rectangular parcel. Sections of the old foundations are becoming visible as crews unearth the site. YIMBY expects foundations to begin formation this spring and construction to reach street level by the summer.
Photo by Michael Young.
Photo by Michael Young.
Photo by Michael Young.
Photo by Michael Young.
The renderings depict the tower with a straightforward massing incorporating a few small setbacks topped with terraces. The façade is shown composed of beige- and earth-toned paneling surrounding a grid of large square windows, with wide ribbon windows on the final two stories. The building culminates in a bulkhead set next to a landscaped roof deck.
Rendering of 250 West 49th Street, via Shea Communications
A glass curtain wall will line the ground-level frontage.
Rendering of 250 West 49th Street, via Shea Communications
Construction is being carried out with the help of a $79 million loan facilitated by S3 Capital. The project is being developed with a 35-year tax abatement under the 421-a program.
Residential amenities will include an art room, music room, virtual golf simulator, library, screening room, fitness center, an outdoor lounge, bocce court, zen garden, and an outdoor cinema.
The nearest subways from the development are the C and E trains at the 50th Street station along Eighth Avenue, the 1 train at the 50th Street station to the east along Broadway, and the N, R, and W trains at the 49th Street station to the east on Seventh Avenue.
250 West 49th Street’s anticipated completion date is slated for winter 2027, as noted on site.
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How strange that the existing Hotel Theta has no windows on a street facing side, but does have windows facing inward, which will soon become blocked. Would love to know why they went with that configuration.
The building has a single storey annex that will provide separation from the new building, although lower level windows will see very little light depending on the season. The street-facing blank wall is probably structural.
I agree it’s an odd design.
Thanks!
If I remember right the Hotel Theta used to be a bland Howard Johnson’s Hotelwhen 8th Ave was the red light district. BTW, this is not on the corner of 8th ave. Kind of catti-cornered is World Wide Plaza which used to be Madison Square Garden – where Marylyn Monroe breathily sang Happy Birthday to JFK.
I’ve told you before that this building is beautiful, on the landscaping and beige panels which fit perfectly from the courtyard to the street level: Thanks to Michael Young.
Why the street-level setback next to the Mayfair Hotel — in a high-crime area?
What does a setback have to do with crime ?
High crime area? What ?
Monath, I agree with Biff33. There is an effort to have buildings adhere to lot line, maintain ‘street’ wall at ground level. While recessed alcoves are nice in theory, they fracture the street wall, are out of context, and create points of congregation…which, unfortunately, in this specific area attracts illicit activity. This building will likely have a doorman so staff will be expected to manage the situation. Similarly designed recessed entrance areas through out the neighborhood have experienced issues. So biff33 raise a good point.
Is this certain to be a 567-foot tall office building? Back in 4/8/23, NY Yimby reported with renderings that this would be either a1,101-foot, 78-story, hotel and condominium or as an 860-foot-tall, 47-story office skyscraper. It’s still a nice tower, but a significant reduction from the taller aspirations.