Council Member Daniel Garodnick concerned over Solow project’s height and density. On February 25, 2008, two City Council subcommittees held a joint public hearing regarding Solow Properties’ plan to construct a mixed-use development at the former Con Edison site, located along First Avenue between East 38th and 41st Streets. The subcommittees also heard testimony regarding Manhattan Community Board 6’s 197-a plan, which covers the same area.

The Planning Commission significantly modified both plans on January 28, 2008. Solow’s modified plan called for seven towers—six residential towers and one commercial office tower—for a total of 3,760,000 sq.ft. of residential floor area and 1,374,000 sq.ft. of commercial floor area. The residential towers would have heights between 600 and 700 feet and feature ground-floor retail as well as a publicly accessible viewing platform overlooking the waterfront. A public school was also part of the Commission-approved plan. (read more…)

Solow’s plan covers one of the largest development sites in Manhattan. On December 5, 2007, the Planning Commission heard testimony regarding Solow Properties’ plans to construct a mixed-use development ground in the southeastern portion. Solow left the parking component of its plans intact.

Chair Amanda Burden and Commissioner Irwin G. Cantor both focused on the height of the proposed towers, some of which are significantly taller than the nearby United Nations headquarters. Solow’s attorney, Gary Tarnoff, argued that the towers’ height minimizes their footprint, which in turn maximizes the amount of publicly accessible open space. To abandon the tower-based design, he claimed, would compromise the development’s open space, which accounts for roughly half the site. (read more…)

Proposal covers one of the largest development sites in Manhattan. On August 20, 2007, the Planning Commission launched public consideration of the 17 linked applications of developer Solow Properties for sites along Manhattan’s East Side. Solow’s plan will now go to Manhattan Community Board 6 for a public hearing and vote.

Solow proposes to rezone the former Con Edison site, which runs along First Avenue from East 38th to East 41st Streets, to develop six buildings including a 69-story residential tower at 685 First Avenue and three primarily residential buildings of 57 to 66 stories at 700 First Avenue. A 45-story commercial building with 1.3 million sq.ft. of office space would occupy the remainder of the site at 708 First Avenue. Overall, the development would create 3,343 new apartments and 59,140 sq.ft. of retail space. Con Ed will maintain its existing substation on a portion of the site at 685 First Avenue. (read more…)