Surprise! Bjarke Ingels’s Tetrahedron Named Americas’ Best Tall Building

When one thinks of the tallest buildings in New York City, Bjarke Ingels’ tetrahedron, Via 57 West is certainly not the first thing that comes to mind. Regardless, The Council on Tall Buildings and Urban Habitat (CTBUH) has named it the best tall building in the Americas category as part of its 2016 Tall Buildings Award.

"VIA 57 West is an inspired hybrid of the traditional courtyard block and high-rise tower," Michael Palladino, one of the jurors for the award, and a design partner at Richard Meier & Partners Architects, said in a press release. "Its complex and intelligently orientated architecture maximizes occupants’ views to the Hudson River and activates the New York City waterfront with a dynamic new standard for integrated urban infill development."

The Durst Organization-developed building features a total of 709 rentals with apartments starting at nearly $3,000 for a studio. Many of the rentals have already been leased, according to StreetEasy, and just under ten are listed on the website right now.

One of the finalists in the Americas category was more of a usual suspect — Rafael Viñoly’s 432 Park Avenue. The jury praised its "structural complexity," as one of its best factors. Another NYC winner was the Foster + Partners-designed Hearst Tower in Midtown West, which won the 10 Year Award — a prize given to buildings that demonstrate value and performance over a decade. Jury members in particular praised its use of recycled materials and "forward-looking green strategies."

By Charles/Flickr

A full list of winners from other parts of the world and in other design categories can be found on CTBUH’s website. The awards will be presented at a ceremony in Chicago in November.

• CTBUH Names 2016 Tall Building Award Recipients [CTBUH]
• All the Via 57 West Coverage [Curbed]