Legislation, multiple projects are ongoing.

Lincoln Square Tower Progressing Nicely

One West End, a 42-story, 458-ft.-tall primarily residential building designed by Pelli Clarke Pelli Architects was, as of May, progressing nicely at 1 West End Avenue in Lincoln Square, New York YIMBY reported. Encompassing 761,552 sq. ft., the tower includes a cantilevered portion that reached 10 stories in May. It will house condominiums that start at US$1.94 million, as well as below-market-rate rentals. Completion is anticipated in 2017. The Elad Group and Silverstein Properties are developing One West End, part of the larger Riverside Center.

Palace Theatre Elevation Detailed

The US$2-billion renovation of Palace Theatre at 1564 Broadway in New York City will have escalators, in addition to a 29-ft. rise. The joint venture between Maefield and the Nederlander Organization intends to raise the theater above ground level, then build 70,000 sq. ft. of retail and entertainment in the newly formed space underneath it. Also on the new ground floor, the theater’s lobby and back of house will be increased by 10,000 sq. ft. According to the Commercial Observer:

“Patrons will ascend via a series of escalators to the new grand lobby at orchestra level and enter the theater through the original doorways. The historic interior finishes will be restored, and the decorative plaster balcony fascia and chandelier will also be restored.”

Elevator Safety Act Rally Shows Support

Supporters of the Elevator Safety Act held a rally in Albany, New York, on June 9 to promote state legislation that would mandate training requirements for elevator repair workers (ELEVATOR WORLD, April 2016). At the event, covered by timesunion, Assemblyman Keith Wright called it “a common-sense bill” that would put education and training standards for maintenance workers in place, and create an elevator contractor’s license and a safety and standards board for the industry statewide.

The legislation has passed the state Assembly in each of the past four years, but it has yet to come up for a vote in the Senate. Proponents pointed at more than 30 other states that have laws requiring licensing for elevator contractors. They noted that over the past year, eight people have died from faulty elevators in New York: four passengers and four repair workers. International Union of Elevator Constructors Local One President Lenny Legotte explained, “Six of the eight contractors did not participate in training.”

Despite a lack of state standards for elevator repair work, education is available from such organizations as the National Association of Elevator Contractors and National Elevator Industry Educational Program (NEIEP). Vincent Towers, a 28-year elevator repair worker and 16-year NEIEP instructor, commented: “We see a lot of novice installers — a lot of people who aren’t instructed, who have no idea about safety. And it’s about time for something like this.”

Residential Tower Joins Office Neighbors in Hudson Yards

A 38-story sedate-yet-classy residential tower is joining the office towers taking shape in Hudson Yards on Manhattan’s far West Side, New York YIMBY reported. Located at 515 West 36th Street, the structure will stand 418 ft. tall and house approximately 250 apartments (20% of which will be below market rate) within 98,000 sq. ft. The first three floors will house retail. Lazerian Properties is the developer and Ismael Levya Architects is the designer of the building, which features a simple, glass curtain wall atop a white base. Work is scheduled for completion in 2018.

Black Tower Taking Shape in Manhattan

A 42-story, shiny black tower designed by American architect Richard Meier is starting to take shape in Manhattan at 39th Street and 685 First Avenue, overlooking the East River, Dezeen reported. Scheduled for completion in 2018, the structure marks a departure for the Pritzker Prize-winning architect, who typically works in white. The 828,000-sq.-ft. building is set to house more than 550 apartments. Architectural features include a terrace slightly north of the halfway point. Developer Sheldon Solow’s tower is taking shape on a former parking lot.

37-Story Jersey City Tower Moving Forward

A 37-story tower housing approximately 360 condominiums and 7,250 sq. ft. of retail has been approved by the planning board in Jersey City, New Jersey, meaning the structure will likely join 10 other residential high rises nearby, New York YIMBY reported. Marchetto Higgins Stieve and Woods Bagot Architects are the designers of 75 Park Lane South, and the developer is Strategic Capital, the U.S. arm of China State Construction Engineering Corp. The site is close to the Hudson River, and the building is roughly scheduled for completion in 2018.

Upper East Side Project Rising

The Kent, a 30-story, 367-ft.-tall condominium tower at 200 East 95th Street on the Upper East Side is rising quickly, New York YIMBY reported. In June, it had reached four stories. The 317,664-sq.-ft. structure is set to have approximately 80 residences and 13,225 sq. ft. of ground-level retail. Extell is the developer, and Beyer Blinder Belle is the architect. The project is scheduled for completion in 2017.