Transfer of floor area from landmarked Tiffany Building facilitates construction. On September 19, 2007, the Planning Commission voted unanimously to approve the special permits and text amendment needed for 400 Fifth Realty LLC to build a 57-story mixed-use building along Fifth Avenue, between West 36th and West 37th Streets. The proposed mixed-use building would rise to a height of 631 feet and contain 389 residential units, 200 hotel rooms, and 28,707 sq.ft. of retail space. The apartments would occupy the 18th through 57th floor, sitting above the 17-story hotel and retail space.

The developer requested a special permit to transfer 173,692 sq.ft. of floor area from the landmarked Tiffany & Company Building, located across Fifth Avenue from the project site. The proposed construction also required a text amendment and additional waivers for height, setback, and pedestrian circulation space requirements, as well as a waiver from a prohibition on hotel lobby entrances along portions of Fifth Avenue in Midtown. (read more…)