Whether those involved like it or not, Herzog & de Meuron's 56 Leonard Street (top left) and Rem Koolhaas' 23 East 22nd Street (top right) will forever be linked, thanks to the short period of time between their big reveals, the uniqueness of their designs and the fabulous prices they are commanding. In fact, New York magazine has already somewhat pitted the two against one another. And so, like all heavyweight showdowns, a winner must be decided! Those who are well read on the contenders (and have perused this and this) can vote now. For everyone else, a tale of the tape follows after the jump.
Height: 56Len: 57 stories; 23e22: 24 stories.
# of units: 56Len: 145; 23e22: 18
Neighborhood: 56Len: Tribeca; 23e22: Gramercy/Flatiron
Prices: 56Len: $3.5 million to $33 million; 23e22: $7 million to $50 million
In the architect's words: 56Len: "houses stacked in the sky"; 23e22: "mirroring the traditional New York setback, the building’s form is at once familiar and distinctive."
Signature traits: 56Len: freaking huge, rotational stacking gives every unit private outdoor space; 23e22: cantilevers 30 feet over neighbor, peeks around 60-story One Madison Park tower.
Favorite design touch: 56Len: floor-to-ceiling fireplace hearths; 23e22: balconies that stretch across multiple floors.
Fun fact: 56Len: each unit has a unique floorplan; 23e22: ceiling heights range from 11 feet to 30 feet.
Over-the-top amenities: 56Len: site-specific Anish Kapoor sculpture at street level, 75-foot infinity edge pool, sun deck that juts out over Tribeca; 23e22: Charlie Palmer restaurant, talent agency-backed screening room.
Upside: 56Len: unbelievable views; 23e22: can monitor Shake Shack line from comfort of living room.
Downside: 56Len: knowing loft-loving Tribeca hates your guts; 23e22: sharing of amenities with One Madison Park residents subtracts from master-of-the-fucking-universe gratification.
· 56 Leonard Street [Official Site]
· 23 East 22nd Street [Official Site]
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