Clear the Construction for 616 First Avenue

Tuesday, 06 Aug 2013 10:15 PM
SHoP designed 616 First Avenue - rooftop pool
SHoP designed 616 First Avenue - fitness room
SHoP designed 616 First Avenue - skyline
SHoP designed 616 First Avenue - facade

It’s about time that someone clears out the endless construction around the Franklin D. Roosevelt Drive. If you are looking for luxury along the East River you are in luck! Look no further than 616 1st avenue, where 2 brand new copper luxury residential high rises are in the first phases of construction. Located between 35th and 41st streets in Midtown East/Kips Bay, these high rises are just what the neighborhood needs according to chief executive of The Corcoran Group, Pamela Liebman. 

The project dates back to 2000, when developer, Sheldon H. Solow, partnered with the Fisher real estate family to buy the 9.2 acres at $600 million. The partnership ended within a few years, and Solow went on with the project solo. In 2008 Solow got approval on a $4 billion deal involving seven towers, but this was also a flop. Solow then sold roughly an acre of the land for $172.5 million. Finally, the rest is now being prepared to be turned into the home of these two curved towers. 

The two buildings, designed by SHoP Architects, showcase modern architecture and design with even a sky bridge to connect the two. Other features include a rooftop infinity pool overlooking the East River as well as fitness center complete with boxing gym and squash courts. 

Solow has not overlooked a single step in this project. There are even going to be eight-foot installed floodgates and mechanical systems in place on the second floor after what happened along the East River in Hurricane Sandy. 

JDS Development is working on 616 First Avenune (still unnamed) along with other developments in up-and-coming neighborhoods to attract rentals; hoping to fill the void of luxury rentals that are not condominiums. These specific two will stand at 49 and 40 stories, holding 800 apartments between them.