Three Huge Projects Underway on West 54th Street

There's always something new going on between Broadway and Eighth Avenue, along West 54th and 55th streets, where four giant projects are clamorously under way. Nearly the entire city block is under construction, save for a tiny three-story apartment building that is sandwiched between the jobsites.

Foundation work has begun at 237 West 54th Street, where the Moinian Group is constructing a new 34-story Hilton hotel. The general contractor for the project is ICON NY/NJ Inc.

The block is also home to three rapidly rising, much bigger projects: Boston Properties' 1-million-square-foot office tower at 250 West 55th Street, and Granite Broadway Development's twin 68-story hotels at 1717 Broadway. 
Caught in the middle of all the commotion are the tenants of 243 West 54th St, a tiny three-story apartment building that is sandwiched between the giant Boston Properties tower and the Hilton Hotel project. 

237 West 54th Street
The Hilton project has sparked some controversy, as a special zoning benefit allows Broadway theaters to sell air rights — undeveloped space above a building — to developers building projects between West 40th and West 57th streets from Sixth to Eighth Avenue. The Moinian Group agreed to purchase 24,000-square-feet of development air rights from the Booth Theater on West 45th Street, which will allow the new hotel to rise even higher, despite neighbors’ objections.

1717 Broadway

When completed in 2014, the Courtyard by Marriott and Residence by Marriott at 1717 Broadway will be 35 feet taller than the Mandarin Oriental at Time Warner Center, and more than 120 feet taller than the Trump International, making them the tallest hotels in New York City. The construction manager for the project is F.J. Sciame Construction.

250 West 55th Street

Construction of the 39-story office tower at 250 West 55th commenced in late 2007, but was suspended in late 2009 after the completion of excavation and foundations, and construction of the building to grade level. Designed by noted architecture firm Skidmore, Owings & Merrill, the building will feature a landscaped “green” roof and has been LEED Gold pre-certified. Turner Construction Company is the construction manager for the project, which upon completion is expected to cost approximately $1.2 billion.

One thing is for sure, 243 West 54th Street is certainly no place for an afternoon nap.