Many tall-building developers will take Manhattan, and a historic elevator landmark is preserved.

63-Story Tower Rising in Midtown East

A 63-story, 803-ft.-tall mixed-use tower designed by Pelli Clarke Pelli with SLCE as executive architect had risen to the sixth floor by March in Midtown East, New York YIMBY reported. Located at 138 East 50th Street, the structure is set to contain condominiums and apartments with ground-level retail within approximately 253,220 sq. ft. Ceruzzi Properties is the developer, and completion is anticipated in 2018.

Asian Investment Fuels Viñoly’s Latest Project

An approximately US$269 million construction loan from a consortium of Singaporean banks, along with a US$100 million investment from Beijing SHOKAI Group, is paving the way for the latest high-rise residential tower designed by Rafael Viñoly at 281 Fifth Avenue in Manhattan, SkyRise Cities reported. Following on the heels of Viñoly’s supertall, superthin 432 Park Avenue (ELEVATOR WORLD, November 2014), this one is taking shape at the corner of East 30th Street and Fifth Avenue (EW, March 2015), will stand 55 stories tall and will contain 120 residences with retail on the bottom. Developers are Victor Group and Lendlease Development Inc.

32-Story Condo Tower for Morningside Heights

Developer Savanna plans to build a 32-story condominium tower at 543 West 122nd Street in the Morningside Heights neighborhood of Manhattan, New York, Curbed New York reports. To take shape on property Savanna purchased from the Jewish Theological Seminary, Vandewander Heights (Morningside’s original name) will have 170 residences and 24,000 sq. ft. of amenities on the seminary campus. INC Architecture & Design is handling the exterior and interiors, and Michael Van Valkenburgh is landscape designer. At press time, a timeframe had not yet been given.

Waldorf Elevators Protected as Historic Landmarks

Waldorf Astoria® New York’s west elevator lobby, including elevator doors and grilles, is protected as a New York City (NYC) landmark, New York YIMBY reported. NYC’s Landmarks Preservation Commission made the move earlier this year as Chinese developer Anbang Insurance Group embarked on a multiyear renovation/condominium conversion of the property, occupying an entire block bound by Park Avenue, East 50th Street, Lexington Avenue and East 49th Street. Anbang applauded the move, describing the Waldorf, now part of the Hilton portfolio, as an “iconic hotel with unparalleled history and beautiful, irreplaceable features.” Designed by Schultze and Weaver, the 625-ft.-tall 44-story Art Deco building opened in 1931.

Large Waterfront Residential Project in South Bronx

Chetrit Group and Somerset Partners were set to break ground earlier this year on what they hope will be two residential towers at 2401 Third and 101 Lincoln avenues on the waterfront in Mott Haven, South Bronx, New York YIMBY reported. Although technically two buildings, since each group of structures shares a base, there are seven towers ranging from 16 to 25 stories envisioned. In March, developers had secured enough financing to build at least part of the development, which includes amenities, a public waterfront esplanade and parking. Hill West is the architect, and the target completion date is 2019.