Construction is now complete on Sven, a 762-foot-tall skyscraper at 29-37 41st Avenue in Long Island City, Queens. Also known as Queens Plaza Park, the 67-story tower is designed by Handel Architects for The Durst Organization and will yield a total of 958 rental units with interiors designed by Selldorf Architects. Three hundred units are set aside as affordable housing. Hunter Roberts is the general contractor and Jaros, Baum & Bolles Engineering administered the mechanical systems for the project, which is bound by Northern Boulevard to the east, Queens Plaza North and Dutch Kills Green to the south, and 41st Avenue to the west.
Since our last update in July, work has concluded on the main tower and is now proceeding on the Art Deco-style Chase Manhattan Bank Building, aka the Queens Clock Tower, which sits directly at the base of Sven on the southern elevation across from Dutch Kills Green.
Sven. Photo by Michael Young
Sven. Photo by Michael Young
The grid of mullions and interspersed set of horizontal strips spaced every two to three floors boldly stand out in the afternoon sunlight. Interiors should be close to completion at this point.
Sven. Photo by Michael Young
Sven. Photo by Michael Young
Sven. Photo by Michael Young
Sven. Photo by Michael Young
Construction barriers surround the historic structure, which is part of the master plan’s 50,000 square feet of office and retail space. Workers were in the process of forming the sidewalks in front of the main doors. There is also an outdoor terrace that sits up against the western side of the Queens Clock Tower with a large green wall atop the multi-story podium of Sven.
The Queens Clock Tower. Photo by Michael Young
The Queens Clock Tower. Photo by Michael Young
The Queens Clock Tower. Photo by Michael Young
YIMBY last reported that Sven’s residential amenities include an outdoor swimming pool, a 20,000-square-foot fitness center, a library, co-working areas, a children’s playroom, and a demonstration kitchen. The nearest subways to the property are the E, M, and R trains at the Queens Plaza station and the 7, N, and W trains at the elevated Queensboro Plaza station. The roadways leading to and from the Ed Koch Queensboro Bridge are directly in front of Sven, and Manhattan-bound lanes can be accessed by going along Queens Plaza North and turning left onto the Ed Koch Queensboro Bridge Lower Roadway, or turning right from Northern Boulevard next to Dutch Kills Green.
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The beautiful design is appearing to be new tower, that I think on my sense. When you are explaining your photos, I find its attractive: Thanks to Michael Young.
it’s not really beautiful, it’s not really anything other than a gesture…look at that thing glommed on to the side at the base which relates not in material, detail or heights of fenestration to the original building it pretends to bow to nor does it continue as a base for the tower…..it’s just a building one would expect in Dallas or Houston or maybe 2nd tier Chinese city. David knows not from what he sees from heaven.
That clock tower is going to get Torched!!
The best part of this solar concentrator is the clock tower. Hopefully it won’t get melted.
I’m homeless and have kids. We are all disabled and need help. I need apartment for rent.
Today is truly my real factual birthday.
I used to be quite critical of Sven, but as it has progressed I’ve come to love it. That curve is just so dominant yet so elegant. And the way the tower and the Queens Clock Tower interact is very nicely done. It almost seems Sven cradles and protects the Clock Tower. Overall, it’s not a RAMSA project or anything, but it still is very well done in the form of simplicity and elegance.