Dive Brief:
- Famed architect Richard Meier, in a shift from his traditional light-colored designs, has unveiled his first black skyscraper, which is currently under construction along New York City's East River, Dezeen reported.
- The 42-story residential tower will feature black glass and aluminum curtain walls, ground-floor retail, a second-floor fitness center with a swimming pool, 408 for-rent units, and 148 for-sale condominiums on the upper floors.
- According to Architectural Digest, Meier took inspiration from the United Nations Secretariat Building, which was designed in part by one of his biggest influences, Le Corbusier. New York City developer Sheldon Solow commissioned Meier to design the building, which should be ready for occupancy in 2019.
Dive Insight:
As to why Meier was ready to move forward with a design so outside his typical palette, he has said he wanted to create an iconic Manhattan building using the latest technology and materials. Although he said he has explored the same themes of "lightness and transparency" using black rather than white on the exterior, Meier is still designing the interior of the living spaces with white, gray and natural wood tones.
This is the first project in the almost 10-acre East River Development Plan that will see residential, commercial and public space components. The tower will be located between the Empire State Building and Chrysler Building.
Other notable skyscrapers adding to New York's iconic skyline are the Bjarke Ingels Group-designed "Spiral" tower in the Hudson Yards development and One Vanderbilt Tower next to Grand Central Station.
The Spiral will feature greenery coiling up the exterior via strategically placed landscaped terraces, and developers for the One Vanderbilt said the skyscraper's design will "fit seamlessly" with that of the nearby Chrysler Building. One Vanderbilt's developer SL Green has also agreed to build around approximately $210 million of infrastructure improvements, including access to Grand Central Station, which is located next to the new building. It was also just revealed that Spiral developer Tishman Speyer has paid a total of $108 million in air rights to increase the that building's size by 350,000 square feet.