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Rising from a once derelict piece of New York property steps from the East River, two towers at 626 First Avenue are now making their presence felt on the Manhattan skyline. Led by JDS Development and featuring a striking design by SHoP Architects, the dancing duo's shifting form and sharp cladding add another layer of visual interest to the cityscape.
The 48- and 41-storey shifting towers slope towards one another in their midsections, allowing for a large sky bridge connection. Inside the bridge, a lap pool and lounging areas will be offered to the residents of the 800-unit luxury rental development. On a recent trip to the site, Forum contributor towerpower123 captured the first sign of steel trusses that are beginning to form the exterior frame of the bridge.
A range of other amenities are being included in the complex to keep residents busy, including a rooftop deck and infinity pool, a fitness centre, a spa, and a theatre. In addition to the building itself, SHoP has designed the interior amenity spaces and units, giving the project a more cohesive appearance.
The west tower has nearly topped out, while copper cladding continues to rise along the north and south facades of both buildings. The east and west facades take on a softer appearance, with curtain wall glass enveloping the structure on these sides.
Retail fronting on First Avenue will be connected to a new JDS-developed park via a breezeway. Situated at the northeast corner of the site, the park will feature spaces for bikes, limestone and granite paths, a water fountain, and ample greenery. The development also neighbours an elementary school which opened in 2013. Both towers are expected to be complete and ready to welcome residents in 2017.
Additional images and information can be found in the Database file linked below. Want to get involved in the discussion? Check out the associated Forum thread or leave a comment at the bottom of this page.
