Exterior work is progressing on VITA, a pair of 12-story residential buildings at 499 and 501 Ninth Avenue in Midtown, Manhattan. Designed by Archimaera Architecture and developed by ZD Jasper Realty, the 120-foot-tall structures will collectively span 220,000 square feet and yield 121 condominium units with interiors by INC Architecture and Design, and an expansive set of amenities. The $200 million development will also include ground-floor commercial space, a cellar level, and a 30-foot-long rear yard. The property is located between West 37th and 38th Streets on the border of Hudson Yards and the Garment District.
More of the flat and curved windows and fluted façade paneling have been installed across the two reinforced concrete superstructures since our on-site update in February. The greatest progress has occurred on the southern structure at 499 Ninth Avenue along West 37th Street, which was still bare during our last visit. Work is also unfolding on the bulkhead assembly on the northern counterpart.
VITA. Photo by Michael Young.
VITA. Photo by Michael Young.
VITA. Photo by Michael Young.
VITA. Photo by Michael Young.
VITA. Photo by Michael Young.
VITA. Photo by Michael Young.
VITA. Photo by Michael Young.
VITA. Photo by Michael Young.
VITA. Photo by Michael Young.
VITA. Photo by Michael Young.
VITA. Photo by Michael Young.
VITA. Photo by Michael Young.
VITA. Photo by Michael Young.
VITA. Photo by Michael Young.
VITA is slated to become the city’s largest Passive House condominium development with sustainable design elements expected to reduce energy consumption by up to 90 percent. These elements include triple-paned windows, an airtight envelope, and air filtration systems. These features will also improve the buildings’ indoor air quality and noise insulation.
Residences range from one- to three-bedroom homes. Apartments will come with custom-designed kitchens outfitted with blonde oak veneer cabinetry, Fusion Blue Quartzite natural stone countertops, pewter-finished fixtures, and a premium Gaggenau integrated appliance suite. Primary bathrooms are outfitted with honed Grigio Trambiserra marble walls and dual-tone Bardiglio Versilia radiant heated floors, while secondary bathrooms are finished with artisanal ceramic tile walls and Bardiglio Versilia mosaic floors. European white oak flooring runs throughout the living spaces and each home comes equipped with a washer and dryer.
Residence at VITA at 499 and 501 Ninth Avenue in Hudson Yards. Credit: Williams New York
VITA at 499 and 501 Ninth Avenue in Hudson . Credit: Williams New York
Residential kitchen at VITA at 499 and 501 Ninth Avenue in Hudson Yards. Credit: Williams New York
VITA at 499 and 501 Ninth Avenue in Hudson . Credit: Williams New York
Residential bathroom at VITA at 499 and 501 Ninth Avenue in Hudson Yards. Credit: Williams New York
VITA at 499 and 501 Ninth Avenue in Hudson . Credit: Williams New York
Residential Terrace at VITA at 499 and 501 Ninth Avenue in Hudson Yards. Credit: Williams New York
Residential amenities will include a double-height lobby and 24/7 attended reception, a gym with Technogym cardio and strength training equipment, a lounge with a golf simulator, and a spa with a steam room, sauna, shower, and private treatment room. There will also be two rooftop terraces with outdoor kitchens and lounge seating for alfresco dining and entertaining.
VITA at 499 and 501 Ninth Avenue in Hudson . Credit: Williams New York
Double-height lobby at VITA at 499 and 501 Ninth Avenue in Hudson Yards. Credit: Williams New York
VITA at 499 and 501 Ninth Avenue in Hudson. Credit: Williams New York
Fitness center at VITA at 499 and 501 Ninth Avenue in Hudson Yards. Credit: Williams New York
Lounge at VITA at 499 and 501 Ninth Avenue in Hudson Yards. Credit: Williams New York
VITA at 499 and 501 Ninth Avenue in Hudson . Credit: Williams New York
Rooftop amenity at VITA at 499 and 501 Ninth Avenue in Hudson Yards. Credit: Williams New York
Rooftop at VITA at 499 and 501 Ninth Avenue in Hudson Yards. Credit: Williams New York
Rooftop terrace at VITA at 499 and 501 Ninth Avenue in Hudson Yards. Credit: Williams New York
The Eklund | Gomes Team at Douglas Elliman is in charge of sales and marketing for the project. Sales launched in early May with pricing starting at $1.25 million. The first closings are anticipated for fall 2025.
The nearest subways from the ground-up properties are the A, C, and E trains at the 42nd Street–Port Authority Bus Terminal station to the northeast.
VITA should fully finish construction sometime in early 2026.
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Nice job of working around that hold-out in the middle, I’m sure that sent them back to the drawing board..
I wouldn’t have it any other way.
I’d have to go back and look but I’m not sure these old walk-ups are “hold outs” in the sense the owners refused to sell because clearly their air rights were sold because the new building cantilever over them. Prebty smart really since that guarantees light, air and views for the center units of the new building.
An architectural masterpiece!
What would the middle building’s address be if other two are 499 and 501?
Excellent question, I can only suppose that the developers here don’t expect that ‘middle’ building to exist much longer..what would go in its place might be sometype of landscaping, or small park..let’s see.
493 und 495
Wow, this is a really good and interesting design, plus it’s passive construction.
And hooray for the holdout!
I do like the holdout- it adds some history. The interiors look great and I’m hopeful the buildings will look closer to the renderings when finished. Also nice to read about the 30’ back yards- hopefully filled with lush greenery to absorb some of the fumes and sounds from the Lincoln Tunnel entrance roadwork the buildings back up to.
I can’t imagine using a balcony sitting right above 9th Ave. right at the entrance to the Lincoln Tunnel !
I had a friend who lived off Union Square in a building with a steep narrow stairway, bathtub in the kitchen (no shower) and the toilet out in the hallway. This was a private facility and required a key. NYC is better off without some old buildings. The holdout here is not so ancient and likely has in unit plumbing.
I remember living in a 4th floor walk-up on W 50th street. Horrible place to movie into and out of. Couldn’t close the WC door while seated and the shower was separate. But it was ‘only’ $1,2000/month back in 1999 and we were thrilled to have a tiny studio so close to work. Some people have no idea just how good these new apartments are.
Cool to see the thermal breaks in the concrete slabs.
Impressive classically inspired pilasters and tasteful fenestration. A fine addition to ninth avenue.
Just past 42nd St on 9th Ave used to be a dump – with the overhead ramp for busses coming out of the tunnel. Just a big mess. My how things have changed. Anybody remember the suburban style Burger King just a block away on 10th Ave???
why is 9th avenue so precious?
Surely it can handle an up zone to larger towers – maybe not Hudson yards. but not this barely midrises.
if upper east side on york to third can handle it, so can the West side. especially over here where there is nothing for nobody
Making all his nowhere plans for nobody
I like the way it looks 😏
The size and materials used for the bathrooms and open kitchens compared to the old styles- Very Nice