Viewing NYC Articles Categorized Under Buildings

[WATCH] The Richest Family That Owns Manhattan

2026-08-11T12:00:00-04:00

The video explores the powerful families who own significant real estate in Manhattan, delving into ten dynasties that shape the city's landscape. It highlights their strategies, from the Resnick Family who built their empire on patience and holding assets for decades, to the Durst Family at the top, known for transforming areas like Times Square and their stake in One World Trade Center. Other featured families include the Rose Family who focused on luxury residential buildings like those on the Upper East Side and revitalizing the Financial District, the Zeckendorf Family behind ultra-luxury condos such as 15 Central Park West, and the Fisher Family who own numerous corporate fortresses in Midtown. The Malkin Family controls the iconic Empire State Building, transforming it into an eco-friendly tech campus. The Speyer Family owns and revitalized Rockefeller Center. The LeFrak Family built entire communities like LeFrak City in Queens and Newport in Jersey City. Finally, the Goldman Family maintains a vast, privately held portfolio across Manhattan, often through ground leases, demonstrating how these long-standing families exert quiet but immense influence over New York City's past, present, and future.

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[VIDEO] 'Lunch on a Beam' explores mystery surrounding iconic photo of Rockefeller Center workers

2026-08-06T12:00:00-04:00

This video delves into the enduring mystery surrounding an iconic photograph of 11 workers eating lunch on a steel beam, suspended 850 feet above Midtown Manhattan during the construction of the Rockefeller Center in the 1930s. Long assumed to be a spontaneous moment, author and Rock Center Archivist Christine Roussel reveals in her new book, Lunch on a Beam: The Making of an American Photograph, that the photo was actually part of a meticulously planned publicity campaign. Roussel discusses the challenges and triumphs of identifying the men in the picture, explaining how some names were found through archival clues and family connections. She also shares her personal journey into the Rockefeller Center family, starting her career helping Vice President Nelson Rockefeller with his art collection before becoming a pivotal figure in preserving the landmark's rich history.

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[WATCH] NYC's Office Buildings Are Becoming Apartments, Here's How

2026-08-01T12:00:00-04:00

New York City is addressing its severe housing shortage, with a mere 1.4% vacancy rate and a need for over 500,000 new units, by transforming underutilized office buildings into apartments. This initiative comes as office occupancy in Manhattan stands at just 57% due to the rise of hybrid work. The video offers an exclusive look inside three of Manhattan's most significant office-to-residential conversions: Soma at 25 Water Street, currently the largest such project in U.S. history, along with Pearl House at 160 Water Street and 55 Broad Street. Developers like Nathan Berman of Metro Loft, Joey Chilelli of Vanbarton Group, and Brian Steinwurtzel of GFP Real Estate explain the complex architectural and engineering challenges involved, from carving light wells into massive floor plates to adding new floors and installing cutting-edge electrical and mechanical systems. These extensive renovations cost an average of $325-$340 per square foot, yielding luxury studios and multi-bedroom units with high ceilings and amenities like rooftop pools, co-working lounges, and fitness centers. Supported by recent policy changes such as the 467-M tax incentive and the "City of Yes" zoning reforms, which make more buildings eligible for conversion and encourage affordable housing, the pipeline for similar projects is growing, including the former Pfizer headquarters. Beyond increasing housing supply, these conversions also offer environmental benefits by reusing existing structures and revitalizing neighborhoods like the Financial District, demonstrated by the emergence of new businesses such as McNally Jackson Books and Van Leeuwen Ice Cream. While the current wave of conversions will only add about 30,000 units, a small fraction of the city's overall housing needs, they represent a significant step towards creating vibrant, mixed-use urban communities and could inspire similar policy changes nationwide.

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[VIDEO] This $400M NYC Skyscraper Can't Be Fixed and Can't Be Torn Down

2026-07-29T12:00:00-04:00

The One Seaport tower at 161 Maiden Lane in Manhattan's Financial District, a $400 million luxury residential skyscraper, remains uninhabitable due to a complex web of structural failures and legal disputes. Developers, led by Fortis Property Group, opted for a cheaper foundation method called jet grouting instead of driving piles to bedrock, despite geotechnical reports warning of differential settlement. This decision led to the building sinking unevenly and leaning by three inches, earning it the nickname "The Banana Tower." Further complications include a fatal construction accident in 2017 involving worker Juan Chonillo, causing project delays and legal action against the concrete subcontractor. The structural issues prevent the installation of exterior glass panels and functional internal systems, and without a certificate of occupancy, no residents can legally move in. As various parties involved—including contractors, lenders like Bank Leumi, and individual condo buyers—sue each other, the building continues to deteriorate, accumulating millions in carrying costs and legal fees, with no clear path to completion or demolition.

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[VIDEO] Inside a Dream Penthouse Overlooking Central Park

2026-07-21T12:00:00-04:00

The video offers a unique look inside a luxurious New York City penthouse located in the historic St. Urban building on the Upper West Side. Architect and interior designer Crina Arghirescu Rogard of Crina Architecture discusses her approach to blending the building's Beaux-Arts architecture with bold, modern interior design. The reimagined space features custom furniture, sculptural forms, and vibrant materials, including a dramatic turret library, panoramic Central Park views, and a seamless mix of classical structure and contemporary living spaces.

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[WATCH] The Terrible Engineering Behind New York City's Unfixable Skyscraper

2026-07-20T12:00:00-04:00

This video details the engineering missteps behind One Seaport at 161 Maiden Lane, a $400 million luxury skyscraper in Manhattan's Financial District that has sat empty for seven years due to a significant lean. Instead of driving deep piles to bedrock, developers opted for a cheaper "soil improvement" method, leading to the building tilting and bending like a "banana." This decision, taken to save just $6 million, resulted in numerous lawsuits and the project's abandonment. Although a repair using deep-pile jacking is technically feasible, its estimated cost of over $550 million makes it economically irrational, leaving the building as a toxic, unsellable asset and a stark warning about prioritizing cost-cutting over sound engineering principles.

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[WATCH] New York City FC's $780M Stadium: 10 Years Homeless

2026-07-12T12:00:00-04:00

The video details the decade-long journey of New York City FC to secure a permanent home stadium. Despite winning the 2021 MLS Cup, the team had been playing in various temporary venues across New York, including Yankee Stadium and Citi Field, and even played a continental match 2,800 miles away in Los Angeles due to venue restrictions. The struggle was marked by failed proposals in Flushing Meadows Corona Park and the Bronx, and an almost comical parade of other failed proposals. Finally, construction has begun on the $780 million Etihad Park, a privately financed, soccer-specific stadium in Willets Point, Queens, directly across from Citi Field. Designed by HOK and built by Turner Construction, the stadium will be fully electric, powered by rooftop solar panels and a rainwater harvesting system. The broader $3 billion redevelopment includes 2,500 affordable housing units, a public school, a hotel, and public open spaces, all served by accessible public transportation. Set to open in 2027, Etihad Park represents a major milestone for NYCFC and the local community.

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[VIDEO] A closer look at 270 Park Avenue

2026-07-01T12:00:00-04:00

The video offers an in-depth look at the design and construction of 270 Park Avenue, JPMorgan Chase's new global headquarters in New York City. Featuring insights from the integrated design team at Foster + Partners, including Lord Norman Foster, Mike Jelliffe, Kirsten Scott, Jeremy Dworken, Nigel Dancey, Roger Ridsdill Smith, and Stefan Bench, the film highlights the building's innovative and sustainable features. These include the recycling of 97% of the original building materials, a zero-carbon footprint powered by hydroelectricity, and triple-glazed windows. A key design challenge involved constructing the tower above Grand Central Terminal's complex network of train tracks, which was resolved using unique fan-columns that distribute weight to bedrock. The interior boasts a grand public lobby connecting Park and Madison Avenues, meticulously crafted with Italian travertine and featuring an American flag sculpture by Lord Norman Foster and digital art installations by Refik Anadol and Maya Lin. The building's "city within a city" concept is realized through multi-story "Exchange" areas offering diverse dining and social spaces, emphasizing interaction and well-being for staff and visitors.

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[WATCH] Inside New York City FC’s New $780m Etihad Park

2026-06-30T12:00:00-04:00

After over a decade of playing at borrowed baseball stadiums like Yankee Stadium and Citi Field, New York City FC is finally getting its own dedicated home in Queens. The new stadium, called Etihad Park, is part of a larger $780 million privately financed redevelopment project in Willets Point that includes affordable housing, a public school, and other amenities. Designed by HOK, the firm behind St. Louis City SC's Energizer Park, the 25,000-seat stadium features a compact, rectangular bowl designed for an intense atmosphere, a seven-story LED entrance cube, and sustainable elements making it one of the first fully electric professional sports stadiums in the U.S. Construction is progressing rapidly, with the club expecting to open Etihad Park for the start of the 2027-28 MLS season, aligning with a major league calendar shift. This marks a significant milestone for NYCFC and the local community, promising a new era for soccer in New York City.

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[WATCH] Inside the Infamous Hotel Where Rock Stars Lived & Died

2026-06-22T12:00:00-04:00

Architectural Digest takes a tour inside the iconic and recently restored Hotel Chelsea, an infamous landmark in New York City's Chelsea neighborhood. Owner Sean MacPherson and historian William Benton share insights into the hotel's storied past as a creative haven for generations of artists, writers, and musicians, including legendary figures like Bob Dylan, Patti Smith, Leonard Cohen, Andy Warhol, and Sid Vicious. The video showcases the meticulous renovation process, highlighting how historical elements were preserved while integrating modern amenities. Viewers get a glimpse of the lobby, various hotel rooms, the diverse art collection, and the hotel's distinct restaurants and bars, including El Quijote, Café Chelsea, and Teruko. The renovation aimed to elevate the hotel's design while maintaining its unique, eclectic, and rebellious spirit, creating a timeless space that feels like a parallel universe.

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