Despite a Pataki-infused groundbreaking back in 2002, a prime lot on West 42nd at Eighth Avenue has remained an empty pit for the past four years. The Post's Steve Cuozzo tracks the history of the lot, for which current owners Howard and Edward Milstein envisioned the above 35-story tower being built. Whether or not this actual tower will get built, and it seems like a tossup at best, we're suddenly madly and deeply in love with the rendering's base. Is that a large iChat icon? And what appears to be an aquarium? Sure enough:
In February 2005, the project went back to square one when the Milsteins submitted four new alternatives with various commercial-residential combos. A proposal to include a giant public aquarium sank to the bottom.Says Cuozzo, "Unless the Milsteins have secretly snared an office tenant, the site seems more ripe for an apartment and/or hotel project." Pity, that.
· Fixing a Hole on 42nd Street [NYPost]