The city has unveiled its plan to revitalize and encourage more office development in Midtown East, following on the heels of a rezoning along Vanderbilt Avenue that paved the way for a 67-story office tower at One Vanderbilt.
Just how in control of a historic district is the Landmarks Preservation Commission? The answer is very in control, as illustrated by one recent approval in the Flatiron District. Think of the commission as a curator.
Happy Living Development has filed applications for a 12-story, nine-unit mixed-use building at 441 West 37th Street, in Midtown West. The project will measure 19,441 square feet in its entirety. Part of the ground floor will contain a 357-square-foot doctor’s office. The rest of the ground floor and the second floor will host a single duplex unit, followed by full-floor apartments on the third through eighth floors. Two duplex apartments will be located across the ninth through 12th floors. The units should average 1,647 square feet apiece, indicative of condominiums. Amenities will include private residential storage space, bike storage, “recreation space” on the second floor, and a rooftop terrace. De-Jan Lu’s Greenwich Village-based architectural firm is the architect of record. The 25-foot-wide, 2,468-square-foot lot is currently occupied by a two-story commercial building. Demolition permits haven’t been filed. The nearest subway station is the 34 St – Hudson Yards terminus of the 7 train.
While most of YIMBY’s recent supertall coverage has focused on the 57th Street corridor projects like 220 Central Park South (nearly supertall) and 217 West 57th Street (Central Park Tower), there’s also a commercial supertall set to shine over Midtown, and it’s getting closer to beginning its ascent.
Work is now underway on the 17th floor of the 35-story, 612-key DoubleTree by Hilton hotel under development at 350 West 40th Street, in the Garment District of Midtown. The developer — Sam Chang’s Great Neck, N.Y.-based McSam Hotel Group — also secured a $215 million mortgage to refinance existing debt and fund construction, Commercial Observer reported. The latest building permits, which YIMBY first reported on in early 2014, indicate the 328-foot-tall project will measure 199,664 square feet. The hotel rooms should average a budget-sized 290 square feet apiece. Guest amenities include a fitness center, storage for 18 bikes, a restaurant on the ground floor, and a rooftop lounge & bar. Gene Kaufman’s SoHo-based architectural firm is behind the design. Completion is expected later this year.
