Another Manhattan skyscraper currently under construction continues to vertically mature, with a contrasting black and white facade now being slapped onto the exterior of 242 West 53rd Street. Designed by CetraRuddy for Algin Management, the 62-storey building in Midtown's Theater District definitively brings a visually arresting design to the mountain-like skyline of New York City, morphing its floor plates progressively.

The rendering for 242 West 53rd Street shows the project's futuristic design, image via CetraRuddy

The 426-unit rental tower will include 16,514 square feet of retail at its angular base in order to maintain an active street wall and public realm. The curved edges and changing sculptural properties of the building respond to the property's physical and regulatory constraints. Smaller units occupy the bottom of the structure while the larger and more expensive units — with better views — are situated on the upper levels. The fluctuating shape of the building ensures efficiency of floor space, outdoor access, and sightlines. The project's amenity package can be found in the multi-level podium, which appoints a cascading waterfall-like design.

Cladding installation begins, image by Forum contributor towerpower123

"242 West 53rd Street demonstrates a keen awareness of its surrounding urban context, utilizing distinctive approaches in massing, organization and exterior expression to create a thoughtful approach to contemporary urban living," says the CetraRuddy's website

242 West 53rd should be complete in 2018, image by Forum contributor towerpower123

Recent images by Forum contributor towerpower123 portray what crews have accomplished so far. An externally mounted red tower crane services the site as cladding steadily moves up the tower and permanently hides the misshapen concrete corner columns from public view. The project is scheduled for completion in 2018. 

Vertical construction progresses, image by Forum contributor towerpower123

Additional images and information can be found in the Database file linked below. Want to get involved in the discussion or share your photos? Check out the associated Forum thread or leave a comment at the bottom of this page.