Saturday, March 31, 2012

Another Huge Apartment Tower Breaks Ground on Far West Side

Following the land rush for new developments around the burgeoning Hudson Yards mega-project, we direct your attention to the southwest corner of West 30th Street and Tenth Avenue, where the Related Companies is breaking ground for a new 33-story residential tower.

Related is developing the property adjacent to the High Line at 500 West 30th Street, with partner Abington Properties and is being financed by a $200 million construction loan. When completed, the 389 unit residential tower will be a neighbor to another new West Chelsea tower set to rise one block south.

The project designer, architect Ismael Leyva, is best known for his sharp, dark glass and futuristic creations in Midtown and downtown Manhattan. Zoning documents filed with the Department of Buildings show a 317,000 square foot, L-shaped tower facing onto the expanse of curved benches at the northern end of the High Line.

The building will include a basketball court in the basement, a pet room, and a parking garage for 80 vehicles on the second floor. Up above, 23 residential units will fill each floor on levels 3 through 5. The tower steps back and narrows as it rises, with just six units each on floors 29 to 33.