Trinity Church, the owner of $2 billion of real estate spread out over 14 acres in lower Manhattan, is continuing to pursue plans to redevelop its ministry offices behind the church and build a 25-story condo tower on top of them. In a move that's sure to further alienate parishioners who argue that the church spends too little of its time and money on its stated mission of philanthropy and too much on real estate dealings, Trinity has solicited designs from two architecture firms, COOKFOX and Pelli Clarke Pelli, for the new building, which would cost $35 million. The church's vestry will decide in a meeting on July 24 whether or not move forward with the project.
The designs from COOKFOX feature the same "biophilic" approach that the firm has favored as of late, integrating a lot of planted things into the facade as well as rooftop gardens. The facade would be made of glass and stone, with the six-story ministry building at the base constructed primarily out of glass to give it an open and welcoming feel. Pelli Clarke Pelli's design also features a glass base for the ministry, with the residential section of the tower made out of glass and metal. Trinity is not the first church in the city to consider topping its buildings with apartments, but it may be the wealthiest to do so (well, it may be the wealthiest, period). In any case, it seems that church/condos are indeed the way of the future.
· New Residential Tower May Soar Above Historic Trinity Church [DNAinfo]
· Trinity Church coverage [Curbed]
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