NYC Now Hosts The World’s Best Skyscraper In The Shape Of A Pyramid
Dec. 6 | Aniqa Ajmal
During the Annual Skyscraper Award by information specialist Emporis, The Bjarke Ingels Group (BIG) designed Via 57 West was declared the world’s best skyscraper. The building takes almost an entire block in Manhattan, NYC and looks like a strange futuristic pyramid. The Emporis Skyscraper Awards have been running for almost 17 years now, and considers buildings that are over 100m (328 ft) tall. This is a 32 story residential building and doesn’t look like an ordinary skyscraper but its unique design was the reason that it was declared the best skyscraper in the world.
Architect Bjarke Ingels says that the tetrahedral design of the building is a mix of a skyscraper and European housing block with a central courtyard. He dubs the central courtyard as “court-scraper.” The courtyard itself features the same proportions as Central Park but at 13000th the size of it. The shape of courtyard ensures that there will be plenty of sunlight inside, and as a bonus, great views too.
An unnamed Emporis jury member commented on the building saying, “It’s impressive how the architect rethinks the whole idea of a skyscraper. The building is a fantastic addition to the New York skyline.”
Second place was awarded to Torre Reforma, Mexico City’s tallest skyscraper. It has a height of 804 ft (245 m). It is the tallest structure with exposed concrete and its triangular form comprises of two concrete walls and has one glazed section. Apart from giving it a unique look, the concrete walls also prevent the interior from getting warm by the sun. Torre Reforma has been specifically designed to withstand earthquakes and heavy winds. The interior of the building is organized into 14 sections and each section has its own private interior garden. The best part of the building is that the architects retained and integrated an already existing house on the site instead of demolishing it. This house was integrated into the main lobby.
07 December, 2017
Cold weather has officially swept over NYC and if you're lucky enough to live in one of the below newly-built rental buildings, you basically don't ever have to venture outside. From indoor dog parks to heated pools, these new developments have it all.
Part of this Gowanus building's allure no doubt lies in its transforming waterfront location, but it also has some amazing amenities to enjoy indoors. 365 Bond features a warm library with fireplaces, a gourmet catering kitchen with private dining, a resident's lounge, game room, and children's playroom. For health and wellness seekers, the building also comes complete with a fitness center, a yoga room, spin studios, and workout rooms with regular programmed classes. Oh, and when getting to your car is a struggle in the cold weather, there's indoor valet parking directly accessible from inside the building. Other valet services include dry-cleaning and dog walking.
Next up is LEVEL, a brand new rental tower that boasts seriously spectacular views of the East River, Manhattan skyline, and Brooklyn. It contains condo-like apartment finishes and amenities that can be accessed year-round, including an indoor pool with a skylight, whirlpool, and steam room, a 24-hour fitness center featuring technogym cardio and weights, a yoga room with virtual on-demand fitness classes, a club lounge with game tables and a demonstration kitchen, and finally, a party room with a kitchen. A true community, member events and activities will be coordinated weekly by LivUnLtd Concierge Service. Other perks include valet services and a gorgeous furnished lobby with a fireplace and 24-hour concierge.
Over 50,000 square feet of amenities await in this popular LIC rental! ARC boasts great outdoor features (including a 70' long saltwater pool and interior park) but for the coming winter, lucky residents will have plenty to do inside with a 5,000-square-foot fitness center, a yoga, spin and private workout studio, resident's lounge, catering kitchen with private dining, library, collaborative and private work space, basketball court, game room with vintage arcade games, golf simulator, and even a year-round greenhouse for gardening and events. There are dog walking services and indoor valet parking accessible from within the building.
The Eugene, part of the Manhattan West development, probably has the most comprehensive set of amenities in NYC. It features a Bluestone Lane coffee shop, 2-story rock-climbing wall, fitness center, basketball court, crash pad media and entertainment room, arcade corner and golf simulator, billiards room, library lounge, and children's playroom. The building's Hudson Club additionally offers a piano lounge, poker room, and a private dining room with a catering kitchen. There's even a pet grooming station!
Yup, that's a bowling alley. 555Ten has ensured its position as a top amenity building with its diverse package that is heavy on child and pet care. In addition to bowling, there's an arcade, children's playroom, fitness center with an indoor saltwater pool, studio classes, weight rooms, training studio with interactive Nexersys Boxing Exergame and spin bikes, full pet-care by Throw Me a Bone, an outdoor dog park (protected from the weather), and an all-season rooftop bar/lounge warmed by a fireplace.
This SHoP-designed rental is as striking on the inside as it is on the outside. The dual copper towers share amenities that include a breathtaking 75' skybridge lap pool, a whirlpool hot tub, Turkish-style marble hammam with plunge pool, double-height fitness center with city views, yoga and pilates studio, private spa and treatment rooms, rock-climbing wall, and a juice and health bar.
This new Lincoln Center development has features for everyone - even your fur friend. 21 West End Avenue has an indoor dog park, library and cafe, arcade, wine tasting room, club room with golf simulator, gym, yoga and boxing studio, and a garage workshop for all your DIY projects. There's also an indoor lap pool.
No surprise Bjarke's creation made it on the list. VIA 57 West is widely hailed as an architectural masterpiece, and it has the amenities to fit. Notable indoor features include a swimming pool, library, screening room, playroom, golf simulator, game room, fitness center, spin room, and a half-basketball court.
Another Long Island City development, Halo LIC offers its residents plenty to do indoors and away from the harsh cold. Amenities include a movie theater, pet spa, library lounge, game room, business center, fitness center with sauna, and yoga studio. And if you dare to venture outside, the building has a rooftop terrace with a fire-pit and a weather-proof pool table.
