Construction Boom on the Far West Side Well Underway

A combination of the promise of the massive project at Hudson Yards, favorable zoning and the overall strong economy has spurred an abundance of development on Manhattan's Far West Side. Few would have believed that this area would be as viable as it has become. To see all the new residential developments, offices towers and hotels under construction is remarkable given that so many avoided this neighborhood 10 years ago. One reason is the development of the 26-acre Hudson Yards project. There, Related Cos. hope the massive project will invigorate the far West Side, benefiting businesses and raising property values.

500 West 30th Street
Related's 500 West 30th Street has been rising remarkably fast, and is close to topping-out. The Robert Stern-designed residential building is quite prominent from the High Line, though the 32-story building will be utterly dwarfed once the Hudson Yards skyscrapers are complete. Future residents will still be lucky, as southern views will remain mostly unobstructed.

Tutor-Perini has done an incredible job, as 500 West 30th has gone up very quickly and without any significant safety violations or accidents.

Those who dislike perpetual construction can take heart in this, as Perini is also under contract for Related's Hudson Yards mega-project. If 500 West 30th is any kind of indicator—and hopefully, it is—the Hudson Yards won't be an immense and ever-lasting fiasco like the new World Trade Center.

----------------------------------------------------------------

The Avalon West Chelsea
The Hudson Yards and Manhattan West mega-projects are bringing lots of new development to Manhattan's Far West Side, but we can't forget about the residential projects spurred by the success of the High Line.

The 30-story Avalon West Chelsea at 298 Eleventh Avenue has risen very quickly over the past month.

The building is somewhat imposing when viewed from the High Line.


----------------------------------------------------------------

529 West 29th Street

529 West 29th Street's pace has been even more impressive. The project, developed by The Related Cos, will eventually deliver 126 affordable housing units.

Completion by August is required for the project to take advantage of HUD funding, which explains the recent breakneck pace of construction.

These developments are the latest evidence of New York's construction boom—and so far, this round appears to be centered on the far West Side.