Foundation work has resumed for The Torch, a 52-story mixed-use supertall skyscraper at 740 Eighth Avenue in Midtown, Manhattan. Designed by ODA and developed by Extell, the 1,067-foot-tall structure will span 875,372 square feet and yield an 825-room hotel topped by a public outdoor observation deck with a drop ride attraction in its signature stemlike column. The project is also slated to include lower-level retail space, a restaurant on two of the upper floors, a VIP lounge, and a pool deck for hotel guests. SLCE Architects is the architect of record for the development, which is located along Eighth Avenue between West 45th and 46th Streets on the border of Times Square and Hell’s Kitchen.
Additional levels of the substructure have been constructed since our last update in late November, when work had stalled with only the foundation slab and perimeter walls formed. The following photos show a hive of activity with a large team of workers tying rebar for the upcoming cellar floor, interior columns and walls, and foundation perimeter. Barring further interruptions, construction could potentially reach street level this summer and top out sometime next year.
Construction at The Torch at 740 Eighth Avenue. Photo by Michael Young.
Construction at The Torch at 740 Eighth Avenue. Photo by Michael Young.
Construction at The Torch at 740 Eighth Avenue. Photo by Michael Young.
Construction at The Torch at 740 Eighth Avenue. Photo by Michael Young.
Construction at The Torch at 740 Eighth Avenue. Photo by Michael Young.
Construction at The Torch at 740 Eighth Avenue. Photo by Michael Young.
Construction at The Torch at 740 Eighth Avenue. Photo by Michael Young.
Construction at The Torch at 740 Eighth Avenue. Photo by Michael Young.
Construction at The Torch at 740 Eighth Avenue. Photo by Michael Young.
Construction at The Torch at 740 Eighth Avenue. Photo by Michael Young.
Construction at The Torch at 740 Eighth Avenue. Photo by Michael Young.
Construction at The Torch at 740 Eighth Avenue. Photo by Michael Young.
The following rendering previews the skyscraper’s highly idiosyncratic design and the prominent position it will occupy among the Midtown skyline when viewed from across the Hudson River. According to ODA, the building’s hallmark 500-foot-tall protrusion is intended to evoke the Statue of Liberty’s torch, hence the project’s name.
Rendering of The Torch at 740 Eighth Avenue by ODA and SLCE Architects. Photo by Michael Young
The spiraling crown is shown clad in a pleated glass curtain wall with angular open-air cutouts. A multi-story green wall is visible within the envelope and through the diagonal void in the northern elevation. Spotlights will further accentuate these striking upper levels.
Rendering of The Torch at 740 Eighth Avenue by ODA and SLCE Architects. Photo by Michael Young
Additional images below highlight The Torch with aerial perspectives showing the Midtown and Lower Manhattan skylines and Billionaires’ Row in the background. Like the above rendering, these perspectives overemphasize the structure’s 1,067-foot architectural height.
Rendering of The Torch at 740 Eighth Avenue by ODA and SLCE Architects. Photo by Michael Young
Rendering of The Torch at 740 Eighth Avenue by ODA and SLCE Architects. Photo by Michael Young
The observatory will feature cutout staircases and cantilevering, glass-clad boxes that will allow visitors to look out and down at Midtown and the Hudson River.
Rendering of The Torch at 740 Eighth Avenue by ODA and SLCE Architects. Photo by Michael Young
Rendering of The Torch at 740 Eighth Avenue by ODA and SLCE Architects. Photo by Michael Young
The Intamin-designed drop ride in the tower’s stem will feature 300-foot-tall transparent tubes that riders will traverse over a 90-second experience.
Rendering of The Torch at 740 Eighth Avenue by ODA and SLCE Architects. Photo by Michael Young
Rendering of The Torch at 740 Eighth Avenue by ODA and SLCE Architects. Photo by Michael Young
The below axonometric diagram shows the overall massing of the building within the surrounding Times Square and Hell’s Kitchen neighborhoods.
Rendering of The Torch at 740 Eighth Avenue by ODA and SLCE Architects. Photo by Michael Young
A revised construction timeline has yet to be announced.
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Appalling.
Agree. I usually like avant-garde architecture but this is crass and “look-at-me!”.
If anything is could be worse than appalling, this is it. It’s even deeper than the depths of being dystopian. It’s hideous. Indeed, this monstrosity isn’t even fit for Times Square because it will destroy what remains of NY’s elegant skyline.
Oh please. If we can’t get a little wild and crazy in Times Square, then where can we? Remember that NYC must remain the most-talked-about city on the planet or we lose relevance. Did the ESB or Chrysler buildings “fit in” at the time of their construction? Obviously not, and by a much larger measure than this new thing in Times Square.
Well said!
What makes you think that the ESB or Chrysler buildings didn’t “fit in” when built? 1930 was the height of the Art Deco period, and NYC was in the middle of a building frenzy and the rush to build the tallest building. In 1930 alone, 3 of the world’s tallest buildings were built in succession one after – 40 Wall Street, Chrysler and Empire State. All were Art Deco in design, and the 1st two held the title of World’s Tallest Building for only a matter of months until the next one was built, and then ESB retained the title until the World Trade Center. People loved both the ESB and Chrysler bldg’s from the start, and by the year after its completion the ESB was being used in travel posters, postcards, etc. to symbolize the city.
On the other hand, the “Torch,” I’m afraid, is just a stupid cheap gimmick
First sentence agreed. It’s risky and bold. But I’m afraid this one won’t be applauded by all and will age poorly.
ESB, Chrysler, 40 Wall, Woolworth buildings all are beloved buildings that have stood the test of time. Will “The Torch” age well? Or will it be considered a gimmick, fade into irrelevance or worse, scorn?
LOVE IT! So stoked that people in NYC are taking risks with new architecture.
Good !..if you can’t have a transfusion of craziness in Times Square/Hell’s Kitchen, where can you?
Wow, let’s see this vision realized!
Wish Phila. would take the chance at some interesting architecture! But no, we just get boring boxes with the utilities smack on the front of the building.
Yay! Glad to see this resuming construction and I can’t wait to see how they build and clad the upper half.
Should look interesting
Thought for sure this project was dead, but given the reporting on profits all the observation decks in NYC are pulling in, it makes sense that they’d move forward. Personally I don’t like the design, but it may turn out more interesting that we think.
It’s very bold. Let’s see how it turns out..
Why was construction halted??
It may be unsual with the reverse taper, but the massing is balanced which is an improvement over the lopsided mistakes along billionaires row. Consider this a far more elegant approach to Las Vegas’ Stratosphere.
Wow. Can’t wait to see what it looks like when finished.
Hideous.
“highly idiosyncratic design”
I’m all for innovative, risk-taking design, but this is just plain ugly and will become an instant stain on the world famous NYC skyline. The Space Needle was risk taking, but this is a terrible mistake that we will suffer with for decades to come. Sad.
I love it. It’s stunning. Love the architectural view of the building.
Woow. Impressive
No mention of the building’s base, which means it will likely have little relationship to the street or pedestrians. Developers of these buildings have almost completely ignored the way they relate to the streetscape.
yep those were the complaints when ESB was built 100 years ago
This is a joke…isn’t it?
um, hmmmm…the more I look at the renderings the more I like it. NYC needs more observation decks/attractions. The city is a vertical structure to behold. I am glad to see it is being built.
People will immediately vomit upon sight of this hideous blight on the skyline.
Spectacular, bold, and innovative. Great new landmark for the greatest city in the world.
Ugly! Ugly! Ugly!! – said the majority of Parisians about the Eiffel Tower.
same for ESB lol
This is lit (hehe)
I love it! Will be fantastic addition to Times Square!
You would think a city that calls itself the greatest city in the world would be blessed with skyscrapers that are architecturally significant, impressive and stunning. This building is UGLY, it looks deformed and out of place. It is disappointing what boring ugly buildings have been built in the big apple the past few decades… the NYC skyline is dull compared to those in Asia and the Middle East!
Like the giant Penn15 in Shanghai? You know, the one with a giant ball at the top and a at the base? Or maybe the giant d-dough in Qatar?
No skyline will ever compare to New York City, it’s the best of the best and all others are simply imitating.
Like the new kid on the block, that building’s turning heads and shaking things up!
hope they got enough consultation from top-notch engineers unlike the Citi building in downtown
It looks more like an hourglass than a torch to me—one whose time has run out.
ditto
Correct me if I’m wrong, but I think there is (or was) a restaurant by that name in this very part of the city, The Hourglass. How ironic!
Yet another example of how America’s largest city has run out of imagination and room for the people who possess it. Just what it needs … yet another tower for the wealthy so they can stare at the other towers for the wealthy with observation decks that permit them to ignore life on the street, where the rest of the city lives.
lol dude do you expect them to build a 3-story building in Times Square? For the record the neighborhood isn’t even considered affluent within Manhattan
Quite the opposite, the top section of this building is for the masses, not the rich. Think. Seriously, just try. This is one of a handful of buildings with public space at the top, rather than just the bottom.
I’m honestly less concerned about the design, and more concerned that the top third of the building is being turned into what is effectively a carnival attraction. Seems like a waste. The upside here is that section of 8th avenue really needs an anchor. A fancy hotel in lieu of the previous perpetual hole in the ground will advance the area.
I see a new future symbol of NYC in the souvenir shops.
Maybe “The Stickshift”—no, too old-timey. “The Knob”? “That Thing” is what people will point to, as in, “What the hell is That Thing?” A garish gimmick!
Stupid name.
Stupid design.
Stupid holdout at the base.
Just stupid.
I’m sure most people don’t especially give a damn about this, but I hate the possibility that an enormous number of birds, innocent creatures, will collide with this deceptive, largely clear glass structure. Suffering and death of the innocent, human or wildlife, always bothers me.
I agree 1000%, the city buildings kill around 250,000 migrating birds annually, which is contributing to their rapid decline (loss of 1 Billion birds in NA over the last 30 years).
But I think all city buildings must have bird-proof glass now.
Douse the torch. It’s gimmicky, pretentious, artless, and pandering. You should be ashamed to call yourselves architects.
Well, at least it’s not a big blue box. I’m surprised the developer is not trying to cram a casino into the top part!
Don’t love it but it is Times Square which is already home to some architectural abominations…it will be interesting to see for sure.
Totally unsafe and dangerous. You shouldn’t build a top heavy skyscraper like this. Engineers need to stop pushing limits. If this structure was ever to fail, it could create a domino affect, injuring and killing many people.
So very unfortunate that this structure will likely cause the death of countless helpless birds. Sudden blunt trauma death as multitudes of these innocent creatures predictably will collide with this gigantic, very uniquely transparent, glass-dominated tower. Things that are hard to see are, of course, hard to avoid. No intended offense to those people who have different opinions. Thanks.
You’re 1000% Right……
Still build it, and everything else in the pipeline(so you don’t piss off The Money), AND initiate A New MANDATORY Law to put up Bird Safe Mesh on ALL GLASS BUILDINGS in The Country !!!!!
Forehead Slap !
Rocket Science. Da
Looks much better now. It is perfect for Times Square. Glass torch part looks really cool.
I’m sure when it’s completed, there will be those who will be searching for apartments or condos with “TORCHLESS” views?!
Awwwww………
You people are Way Too Pretentious.
That Thing is Gonnna Be AWE~SOME !!!!!
Every kid and his sister is gonna Rave About That………. Just like We Did about The Statue of Liberty and ESB, Back In The Day. HUURRAY NYC !!!!!!!
It’s weird. Weird is good.
When hostile aliens from planet Fargon finally attack our city, they will pass this building by thinking it was destroyed during an earlier war.
It’s much better than One World Trade Center with its ridiculous antenna.
The antenna at the WTC actually is important for much of the broadcasts and communications in the NYC area. This building has no other function at the top except for the proffit of the owners and amusement of customers..
Both of those function sound quite worthy. It’s nice to have more public space above the skyline and we want developers to turn a healthy profit so buildings are well maintained.
Wish this project and the shubert organization were still able to incorporate a new broadway theatre into this development…
The reason old theaters are retained is because they are grandfathered from the onerous building code for new theaters. The architect of the Minskoff Theatre stated that it had not been worth it given the additional construction costs.
Now this is what we need more of! A bold, futuristic design that stands out from everything else in the city, leagues beyond those bland, boxy skyscrapers. We need more architectural marvels like this lighting up the skyline!
As of this writing, there are 50 something comments about this structure to be, that’s multiple times the usual. If the developers wanted attention, it would certainly seem that they have succeeded.
It’s The Bloody Elephant in the room………. Hard to Ignore.
I ❤️ THE DAMN THING!! IYS DIFFERENT WITH THE AMUSEMENT PARK STUFF THIS HIGH UP! LOTSA CITIES WILL TRY 2 COPY IT, NO DOUBT!! NYC ONCE AGAIN INOVATES & RULES!!
DefinitelY!!!, GO FOR IT BABY!!!, YOLO, YOU ONLY LIVE ONCE!!!, NOW WE JUST NEED TO TRANSFORM MSG into something 100x more aesthetically & ergonomically INTEGRATED into NYC, etc, (along w/ increased train platforms underneath the space, i.e. Penn Station, etc, AND!!!, (Port Auth.Bus Terminal Obviously, “in-progress”), but also my idea for a; “NEW Hi-Line-esque Suspension Bridge @ Midtown, A WORK OF ART promenade, GREEN SPACE, (A Park over the Hudson), with bike lanes, dedicated bus and “path-like” trains in the interior core of the bridge, etc, A TRANSFORMATIVE NEW LIFE LINE LOGISTICALLY & ART+ “PURE FUNCTION”,(We are so stuck in the “STONE AGE” compared to China, let’s step up OUR game a little 👍🌱🌦️🌳🌞🌈🌎☮️🌍🌷🌏❤️