LPC approves Nouvel's MoMa tower
Nouvel's MoMa tower
A skyscraper planned next to the Museum of Modern Art and designed by Pritzker Prize-winning architect Jean Nouvel passed a big obstacle today. The Landmark Preservation Commission approved the transfer of development rights from two landmarked buildings on Fifth Avenue, the University Club and St. Thomas Church. The commission also ruled that the Nouvel tower would have no effect on either the club or the church. The proposed 75-story hotel-condo at 53 West 53rd Street now moves to the city's land-review process. Neighborhood residents have expressed concern about the height of the tower, which would reach higher than the Chrysler Building. TRD
Comments
JEFFREY GRATTON
In the NY Times, I read the blistering negative comments made at the recent community board meeting.
It seems you can't build daring architecture in NYC anymore.
It's not like we're considering an impact on the scale of Bloomberg's ill-fated West Side Stadium...
We're talking about a hundred or so units of housing in an area already bristling with tall buildings, yet largely under built when it comes to residential.
Don't forget, most of the jet-setter buyers will be living there part time, so the building will be mostly empty.
Granted that's not a great excuse for a building, and society has better uses for land, resources, etc...but at the same time, communities which position themselves in opposition to wealthy residents and daring architecture should be very wary of what they're asking for.
Comment #0 Posted By: JEFFREY GRATTON 05/13/08
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