Council refused Hines’s request to restore the 200 feet cut from the proposed MoMA tower. On October 14, 2009, the City Council approved a modified version of Hines Interests’ proposal to build a mixed-use tower adjacent to the Museum of Modern Art complex at 53 West 53rd Street in Midtown, Manhattan. The original proposal called for an 85-story, 1,250-foot tower that would include 51,949 sq.ft. of additional gallery space for MoMA, a 147,965 sq.ft. hotel, and 458,412 sq.ft. of residential floor area. In order to build the project, Hines requested approval to transfer a combined 411,000 sq.ft. of development rights from the landmarked University Club and St. Thomas Church.

At the City Planning Commission’s July 22 hearing, opponents expressed concerns about the project’s impact on the neighborhood, arguing the tower was inappropriate for the site’s mid-block location. The Commission approved the project, but it reduced the tower’s height by 200 feet, noting that the building did not merit reaching the height of the Empire State Building, the City’s tallest building. 6 CityLand 138 (Oct. 15, 2009). (read more…)

Hines Realty won approval from Landmarks to construct a 75-story tower in Midtown Manhattan. Image: Ateliers Jean Nouvel.

Commissioners approve proposal, but require additional preservation work for the University Club.

On May 13, 2008, Landmarks voted unanimously to allow Hines Realty to purchase developable air rights from two landmarks: the University Club, located on the corner of West 54th Street and Fifth Avenue; and St. Thomas Church, located at West 53rd Street and Fifth Avenue. The purchase will allow Hines to construct a 75-story mixed-use tower in the vacant mid-block lot adjacent to the Museum of Modern Art. Designed by Jean Nouvel, the tower would be occupied by MoMA galleries, a restaurant, a hotel, and apartments.

Following a lengthy public hearing on April 8, 2008, at which elected officials and local residents raised concerns over the impact of the large-scale development on nearby landmarks and traffic congestion in Midtown, Landmarks held another hearing on May 13th to allow the applicants and MoMA to respond. 5 CityLand 60 (May 15, 2008).

Representing MoMA, Michael Sillerman of Kramer Levin emphasized that the proposal fulfills the zoning resolution’s requirements governing such a sale. Specifically, that the new building must be of a design that creates a “harmonious relationship” with the landmarked building selling its developable air rights. Sillerman argued that the proposed tower would not significantly impact St. Thomas Church or the University Club in any adverse fashion and is, therefore, legally sufficient. (read more…)