Zeckendorf Unveils 50 United Nations Plaza

Here we have it, Zeckendorf Development and Global Holdings have unveiled their new project, a 44-story luxury condominium with planned completion by 2014. Zeckendorf paid $152 million for the vacant land and the building is expected to cost another $500 million. The building was unveiled at a ground raising ceremony in Dag Hammarskjold Plaza.

The London-based star architects Foster and Partners are responsible for the design. The architects have received multiple awards including the Stirling Prizes in 1998 and 2004 and are known for projects like the new Wembley Stadium, 30 St Mary Axe in London as well as the International Airport in Hong Kong. 50 United Nations Plaza will be Foster and Partners first residential project in the United States.

The architect’s specialization is designing futuristic high-profile glass buildings which is exactly what 50 UN Plaza is going to be. Norman Foster said: “The slender proportion of 50 United Nations Plaza is attenuated by the vertical stacks of bay windows, which give it a distinctive identity. From the apartments within, these bays offer spectacular views of the East River and Manhattan’s skyline. The polished stainless steel detailing of the façade is in the spirit of earlier historic towers in the city, and it reflects the sharp quality of light, which is special to New York. The building has a strong environmental agenda combining measures to reduce energy consumption with the use of recycled materials.”

50 UN Plaza, located at 345 East 46th Street in Midtown East (Turtle Bay), will have 87 apartments. The building will have also a parking garage with exactly 87 exclusive parking spots...one for each apartment. Besides that almost nothing is known about the building’s amenities. The building will have a private garage connected to a discreet lobby for intimacy and privacy as well as a rooftop with a pool. Buyers will have the choice between one, two, three, and full-floor apartments with sizes ranging from 1,600 square-feet up to 10,000 square-feet for the full floor apartments.

William L. Zeckendorf said at the ceremony: “50 United Nations Plaza is destined to become an international landmark, defined by its modern architecture and renowned location. This neighborhood is of great personal significance to my brother Arthur and I, as our maternal grandfather Trygve Lie was the first UN Secretary General, and our paternal grandfather assembled the land upon which the UN Secretariat building now stands."