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Of Course New York's Jenga Tower Has a Copycat in China

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Chinese developer Wide Horizon is building up a modern apartment complex in the city of Chengdu, one of the spicy food capitals of the world and a sprawling metropolis in the middle of Sichuan province. A rep for the project, which contains "three high-rise towers and mid-rise building total[ing] 150,000 square meters and includes a sky park, a fitness center, a full spa and a 4,000 square meter sculpted penthouse that culminates at the top of the towers," wrote Curbed to explain where the project found its inspiration: Tribeca. Specifically, the "modernist villas found throughout the storied Tribeca"—which she erroneously located within the Lower East Side. Um, does villa = loft, and did something get lost in translation?

In any case, because Tribeca is a largely full of industrial warehouses and converted factories, from whence could this comparison possibly stem? Ah, from the glassy, Jenga-like structure of 56 Leonard Street, designed by Herzog and de Meuron, which is very nearly topped out and has one unit remaining. The design for the China project is California-based 5+design, who undoubtedly must have looked to 56 Leonard for inspiration. Right?

From the rep: "Each of the two-to-three bedroom units has its own back yard, its own pool and its own separate casita that can be used as office or guest house. The idea was to create a community that reaches up 30 stories and not only affords the most luxurious type of lifestyle but also merges sustainable design."

Now's here a look at 56 Leonard, a tight shot of the building's Jenga-like facade. Sure, there's no outdoor space or greenery or lake, but you get the idea.

And some closer looks at Wide Horizon's development, which is apparently all sold out and still under construction. Spot the resemblance?

One last rendering of 56 Leonard, even though it's daytime and from the ground level:

· Luxelake Parcel 9 [5+design]
· All 56 Leonard coverage [Curbed]

56 Leonard St

56 Leonard Street, Manhattan, NY 10013