Currently on the rise within the heart of one of Manhattan's oldest neighbourhoods, 151 Maiden Lane, the future home of a brand new 33-storey, 271-room Marriott Hotel, is set to continue the recent build-up of the South Street Seaport district in Lower Manhattan. While NYC's Maiden Lane was historically known for the endless clotheslines drawn taught from one tenement block to the next that previously defined much of Lower Manhattan, today's modern cityscape has come a long way since then, and the area is now among the most vibrant urban enclaves in the city.

151 Maiden Lane under construction, image by Forum contributor towerpower123

While it is still early days in terms of the tower's upward ascent, with construction having recently reached approximately seven storeys above grade, recent photos from our Forum provide a good first glimpse of the scope of the project and its impact upon its immediate surroundings. Designed by Peter Poon Architects for Marriott International, the glass tower will rise adjacent to 1 Seaport, a glass residential tower also under construction. 

151 Maiden Lane going up next to 1 Seaport, image by Forum contributor towerpower123

Rather than becoming yet another glass box, 151 Maiden Lane's glass facade has been designed to feature a series of ridges and geometric ripples, an effect that lend architectural interest to the finished product and help the facade to stand out against the smooth lines familiar to most modern developments of its type. 

151 Maiden Lane, image via Peter Poon Architects

With cladding unlikely to appear for some months until the structure is more or less topped off, observers will have to wait to see just how the effect will play out in real life. As evident from the early renderings, the hotel will be given a generous entrance and lobby space, with the possibility of ground level retail or other services related to the hotel more than likely. 

151 Maiden Lane podium construction well underway, image by Forum contributor towerpower123

Set for completion by late 2017, 151 Maiden Lane will be a welcome addition to the area, the South Street Seaport and Financial District having in recent years become highly popular urban destinations among locals and tourists alike, and filled today with a fine array of dining, shopping, and entertainment options. 

SkyriseCities will be sure to return to this project as progress continues. For more information, check out the associated Database file and Forum thread, and as always, feel free to join the conversation in the comments section below.