Plans were revealed for architect Jeanne Gang's first ever New York project in late 2012, but it seems that the High Line-abutting, angular office tower has run into a delay. The Greenwich Village Society for Historic Preservation gleefully reports that during this week's Board of Standards and Appeals hearing, the developer, William Gottlieb Real Estate, withdrew the application for a zoning variance to build the tower. As designed, the 180,000-square-foot structure, located on Tenth Avenue between 13th and 14th Streets, is 34 percent larger than what's allowed on the site, and the developer asked for a "hardship" variance because the High Line intersects the site, thus taking up buildable space, and because the site sits atop landfill.
The variance was opposed by preservationists who didn't want more light and air to be taken away, but it's unclear why the developer withdrew the application. It's also unclear if they will be re-applying or if this means the design of the building will change; we've reached out to the involved parties for more information. Studio Gang's website has details about the proposed building, which they call Solar Carve because they use "angles of the sun's rays to sculpt" the building's shape. To avoid shadows on the High Line and maintain views to the water, the tower has a series of reverse setbacks, creating a geometric gem-like facade.
It'll be a shame if the project gets snuffed out altogether; with HL23, 245 Tenth Avenue, and the Standard, plus plans for Zaha Hadid's first building and all the Hudson Yards towers, the High Line is becoming one of the most architecturally interesting corridors in the city. You can see more renderings of the Solar Carve at Studio Gang's website.
· Meatpacking District Tower Zoning Variance Blocked [GVSHP]
· Studio Gang's New High Line Office Building Unveiled! [Curbed]
· Solar Carve [Studio Gang]
Loading comments...