Content deleted Content added
Epicgenius (talk | contribs) alt text, reword |
→Structural features: readability |
||
| (32 intermediate revisions by 8 users not shown) | |||
Line 2:
{{good article}}
{{Use American English|date=June 2023}}
{{Use mdy dates|date=
{{Infobox building
| name = 111 West 57th Street
Line 9:
| image = 111 West 57th Street from Top of the Rock.jpg
| caption = Seen in April 2023
| location = [[Manhattan]], New York
| location_country = United States
| mapframe-wikidata = yes
| coordinates = {{coord|40.7649|-73.9775|display=inline,title|dim:2km|format=dms}}
| start_date = July 8, 2015 (residential tower)<br>June 1924 (Steinway Hall)
| topped_out_date = October 2019 (residential tower)
| completion_date =
| renovation_date = 2019–2021 (Steinway Hall)
| architect = [[SHoP Architects]] (Steinway Hall conversion
| cost = $2 billion
| floor_area = {{convert|572,348|ft2|m2|abbr=on}}
Line 45 ⟶ 47:
}}
}}
'''111 West 57th Street''', also known as '''Steinway Tower''', is a [[supertall]] residential skyscraper in the [[Midtown Manhattan]] neighborhood of [[New York City]], United States. Developed by [[JDS Development Group]] and Property Markets Group, it is situated along [[
111 West 57th Street contains 60 [[luxury apartment|luxury condominiums]]: 14 in Steinway Hall and 46 in the tower. The residential tower has a glass [[facade]] with [[Pier (architecture)|piers]] made of [[Architectural terracotta|terracotta]]; its [[pinnacle]] contains [[Setback (architecture)|setbacks]] on the southern side. The tower is the fourth-[[List of tallest buildings in the United States|tallest building in the United States]] as of November 2022, as well as the thinnest skyscraper in the world with a [[Slenderness ratio|width-to-height ratio]] of about 1:24. Steinway Hall, a [[New York City designated landmark]], contains a facade made mostly of brick, limestone, and terracotta. 111 West 57th Street contains numerous resident amenities, housed mostly in the building's base, as well as a large [[Rotunda (architecture)|rotunda]] within Steinway Hall that is also a designated city landmark.
The Steinway & Sons store at 111 West 57th Street was proposed in 1916 but was not completed for another nine years due to lawsuits and other delays. Steinway Hall served as a store, recital hall, and office building for almost nine decades, though it was unsuccessful as a [[speculative development]]. Plans for a residential skyscraper on the site date to 2005, and JDS acquired the lots for the skyscraper between 2012 and 2013. Despite the tower's size, it was technically constructed as an addition to Steinway Hall. Construction on the tower began in 2014, and Steinway Hall was restored as part of the residential project. The development faced several challenges, including financing difficulties, lawsuits, and controversies over employment. The tower [[Topping out|topped out]] during April 2019 and was finished in
== Site ==
[[File:NYC2023Sept1.jpg|thumb|left|[[Midtown Manhattan]] in September 2023, looking north from the [[Empire State Building]]'s 102nd floor ({{convert|1224|ft|m|0|sp=us|disp=or}}). 111 West 57th Street is labeled as "Steinway Tower".|alt=View of Midtown Manhattan in September 2023, looking north from the Empire State Building's 102nd floor (1,224 feet or 373 meters above ground level). 111 West 57th Street is labeled as "Steinway Tower".]]
111 West 57th Street is in the [[Midtown Manhattan]] neighborhood of [[New York City]],
111 West 57th Street occupies the same
111 West 57th Street's base contains [[Steinway Hall]], a former store and recital hall for [[Steinway & Sons]]. Steinway Hall was completed in 1925 by [[Warren and Wetmore|Warren & Wetmore]] and is a [[New York City designated landmark]].<ref>{{cite AIA4|page=267}}</ref><ref name="NYCL (2001) p. 4">{{harvnb|Landmarks Preservation Commission|2001|ps=.|p=4}}</ref> Steinway Hall was part of an artistic hub developed around the two blocks of West 57th Street from Sixth Avenue west to [[Broadway (Manhattan)|Broadway]] during the late 19th and early 20th centuries, following the opening of [[Carnegie Hall]] in 1891.<ref>{{harvnb|Landmarks Preservation Commission|2001|ps=.|p=6}}</ref><ref>{{Cite fednyc |page=232}}</ref> The area contains several buildings constructed as residences for artists and musicians, such as 130 and 140 West 57th Street, the [[Rodin Studios]], and the [[Osborne Apartments]]. In addition, the area contained the headquarters of organizations such as the [[American Fine Arts Society]], the [[Lotos Club]], and the [[American Society of Civil Engineers]].<ref>{{cite web |date=December 16, 2008 |title=Society House of the American Society of Civil Engineers |url=http://s-media.nyc.gov/agencies/lpc/lp/2297.pdf |publisher=[[New York City Landmarks Preservation Commission]] |page=2 |access-date=December 4, 2020 |archive-date=August 23, 2021 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20210823005513/http://s-media.nyc.gov/agencies/lpc/lp/2297.pdf |url-status=live}}</ref>
Line 63 ⟶ 65:
111 West 57th Street, also known as Steinway Tower,<ref name="AP NEWS 2022">{{cite web |date=August 18, 2022 |title=A look at the world's skinniest skyscraper: Steinway Tower |url=https://apnews.com/article/new-york-manhattan-be2da6fdc6c6463509ae51ad03463999 |access-date=August 19, 2022 |publisher=Associated Press}}</ref> was developed by [[Michael Stern (real estate developer)|Michael Stern]]'s [[JDS Development Group]] and [[Kevin P. Maloney]]'s Property Markets Group (PMG).<ref name="The Skyscraper Center 2016" /><ref name="nyyimby20140102" /> [[WSP USA]] was the structural engineer for the project, while [[Jaros, Baum & Bolles]] was the engineer in charge of mechanical, electrical, and plumbing.<ref name="The Skyscraper Center 2016" />
The building has two components. Warren and Wetmore's original Steinway Hall, at the base of the development, is topped by a {{cvt|1,428|ft}} tower designed by [[SHoP Architects]]. According to documents filed by SHoP Architects principal Gregg Pasquarelli, the roof slab of the tower is {{Convert|1257|ft|6|in|abbr=}} above ground level while the pinnacle is {{Convert|1423|ft|7|in|abbr=}} above ground.<ref name="Pasquarelli p. 165">{{harvnb|Pasquarelli|2015|ps=.|p=165}}</ref> The building contains 84 stories above ground level or 85 including the roof slab.<ref name="The Skyscraper Center 2016">{{cite web |date=April 7, 2016 |title=111 West 57th Street – The Skyscraper Center |url=https://www.skyscrapercenter.com/building/111-west-57th-street/14320 |access-date=November 10, 2020 |website=The Skyscraper Center |archive-date=June 12, 2020 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20200612172648/https://www.skyscrapercenter.com/building/111-west-57th-street/14320 |url-status=live}}</ref><ref>{{cite web |title=111 West 57th Street |url=https://www.emporis.com/buildings/1215964/111-west-57th-street-new-york-city-ny-usa |access-date=November 10, 2020 |publisher=Emporis |archive-date=February 19, 2021 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20210219213347/https://www.emporis.com/buildings/1215964/111-west-57th-street-new-york-city-ny-usa |url-status=
* 5th through 7th stories above ground – respectively labeled as floors 8–10
* 8th story – not given a number
Line 73 ⟶ 75:
The 16-story, L-shaped Steinway Hall fills most of the base, with frontages of {{Convert|63|ft||abbr=}} along 57th Street and {{Convert|100|ft||abbr=}} on 58th Street.<ref name="NYCL (2001) p. 8">{{harvnb|Landmarks Preservation Commission|2001|ps=.|p=8}}</ref><ref name="AB p. 71">{{harvnb|Architecture and Building|1925|ps=.|p=71}}</ref> The concert hall has a [[Setback (architecture)|setback]] above the 12th story on 57th Street, and setbacks above the 9th and 12th stories on 58th Street. The 16th story along 57th Street (marketed as floor 19{{efn|name=marketing-levels}}) is also set back from all sides.<ref name="NYCL (2001) p. 4" /> The roof of Steinway Hall contains a [[campanile]] with a pyramidal copper roof and lantern, similar to the [[Mausoleum at Halicarnassus]].<ref name="NY1930">{{cite New York 1930|page=359}}</ref><ref name="NYCL (2001) pp. 9-10">{{harvnb|Landmarks Preservation Commission|2001|ps=.|pp=9–10}}</ref> [[Christopher Gray (architectural historian)|Christopher Gray]] of ''[[The New York Times]]'' described the campanile as having a "sculptural, even funerary, caste".<ref>{{Cite news |last=Gray |first=Christopher |date=September 12, 2008 |title=A Beacon of the Changing Times |language=en-US |work=The New York Times |url=https://www.nytimes.com/2008/09/14/realestate/14scap.html |access-date=November 10, 2020 |issn=0362-4331 |archive-date=November 11, 2020 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20201111083812/https://www.nytimes.com/2008/09/14/realestate/14scap.html |url-status=live}}</ref>
The residential tower atop Steinway Hall is one of the [[List of tallest buildings in the United States|tallest buildings in the United States]], as well as the thinnest skyscraper in the world with a [[Slenderness ratio|width-to-height ratio]] of about 1:24.<ref name="Marcus2015">{{Cite web |last=Marcus |first=Silvian |date=2015 |title=The New Supers: Super-Slender Towers of New York |url=https://global.ctbuh.org/resources/papers/download/2439-the-new-supers-super-slender-towers-of-new-york.pdf |access-date=November 10, 2020 |publisher=Council on Tall Buildings and Urban Habitat |page=65 |archive-date=August 11, 2020 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20200811122326/https://global.ctbuh.org/resources/papers/download/2439-the-new-supers-super-slender-towers-of-new-york.pdf |url-status=live}}</ref><ref>{{cite web |title=111 West 57th Street, Manhattan, New York City |url=https://www.designbuild-network.com/projects/111-west-57th-street-manhattan-new-york-city/ |access-date=November 9, 2020 |publisher=Design Build Network |archive-date=November 7, 2020 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20201107045602/https://www.designbuild-network.com/projects/111-west-57th-street-manhattan-new-york-city/ |url-status=live|postscript=none}}
=== Facade ===
Line 93 ⟶ 95:
The existing Steinway Hall contains a structural steel frame atop a [[Foundation (engineering)|foundation]] with reinforced concrete and steel [[wikt:grillage|grillage]]s.<ref name="Pasquarelli p. 165" /> The foundations of the tower contain about 200 rock anchors that descend at most {{convert|100|ft}} into the underlying bedrock.<ref name="AP NEWS 2022" /><ref name="Reid 2017" /> These deep foundations are necessitated by the tower's extreme slenderness.<ref name="Reid 2017" /> The building has two cellar levels.<ref name="Pasquarelli p. 165" /> Steinway Hall originally had a cellar vault extending under the roadway at 57th Street, which was partially infilled and modified as part of the tower's construction.<ref>{{harvnb|Pasquarelli|2015|ps=.|pp=162–163}}</ref>
The [[superstructure]] of 111 West 57th Street's tower is made mostly of concrete.<ref name="Pasquarelli p. 165" /><ref name="Reid 2017" /> The core structural system is formed by two large [[shear wall]]s installed behind the eastern and western facades, maximizing usable floor area.<ref name="Marcus2015" /><ref name="Reid 2017" /> The two shear walls range in thickness from {{Convert|30|-|36|in|abbr=}} on the lower stories to {{Convert|16|in||abbr=}} on the upper stories, and they are recessed on upper floors to accommodate corner windows.<ref name="Reid 2017" /> The tower's floor plates are [[high-strength concrete]] slabs with a compressive strength of {{Convert|14,000|psi||abbr=}}. They are reinforced with {{Convert|5,500,000|ft2||abbr=}} of [[rebar]] and welded plates.<ref name="Marcus2015" /><ref name="Contents 2019" /><ref name="Lux Exposé 2019">{{cite web |date=November 11, 2019 |title=111 West 57th Street Luxury Manhattan Condominium Tower Tops Out |url=https://luxexpose.com/111-west-57th-street-luxury-manhattan-condominium-tower-tops-out/ |access-date=November 10, 2020 |website=Lux Exposé |archive-date=September 9, 2021 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20210909001858/https://luxexpose.com/111-west-57th-street-luxury-manhattan-condominium-tower-tops-out/ |url-status=live}}</ref> The floors are also supported by additional beams at three-story intervals, as well as four outrigger walls on the mechanical floors and {{Convert|6|ft||-wide|abbr=|adj=mid}} beams on the southern side of each floor.<ref name="Marcus2015" /> Interior walls above the floor slabs also connect the shear walls.<ref name="Reid 2017" /> The top of the tower includes an {{convert|800|ST|LT t|adj=on}} [[tuned mass damper]] to provide stability against high winds or [[earthquake]]s.<ref name="Marcus2015" /><ref name="Lux Exposé 2019" /><ref name="nyt20150807">{{cite news |last=Higgins |first=Michelle |date=August 7, 2015 |title=Keeping Skyscrapers From Blowing in the Wind |work=The New York Times |url=https://www.nytimes.com/2015/08/09/realestate/keeping-skyscrapers-from-blowing-in-the-wind.html |access-date=August 16, 2015 |issn=0362-4331 |archive-date=August 16, 2015 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20150816093441/http://www.nytimes.com/2015/08/09/realestate/keeping-skyscrapers-from-blowing-in-the-wind.html |url-status=live}}</ref> The damper consists of tuned steel plates.<ref name="AP NEWS 2022" />
=== Interior ===
Line 102 ⟶ 104:
==== Ground floor ====
[[File:Rotunda interior steinway hall nyc mia laberge art case piano.jpg|thumb|left|alt=The interior of Steinway Hall's rotunda, which had a piano showroom, prior to the construction of the residential tower|Rotunda interior before residential conversion]]
The original western and eastern entrance vestibules on 57th Street have pink-granite floors and coffered domed ceilings.<ref name="NYCL (2001) p. 9" /> The eastern vestibule leads to a rectangular foyer with a vaulted ceiling, which in turn connects to the main rotunda and the original floor 2. The western vestibule leads north to a marble corridor that connects to Steinway Hall's original elevator lobby.<ref name="NYCL (2013) p. 8">{{harvnb|Landmarks Preservation Commission|2013|ps=.|p=6}}</ref><ref name="AB p. 69" /> The original elevator lobby had Botticino marble walls and black-and-white terrazzo flooring.<ref name="AB p. 71" /> A stone [[porte-cochère]] for residents<ref name="Pasquarelli p. 183" /> is on 58th Street.<ref name="Gannon 2019" /><ref name="Itzkowitz 2020" /><ref>{{Cite news |last=Barron |first=James |date=December 24, 2019 |title=The Hidden Perk That New York's Mega-Rich Now Demand |language=en-US |work=The New York Times |url=https://www.nytimes.com/2019/12/24/nyregion/carports-nyc.html |access-date=November 11, 2020 |issn=0362-4331 |archive-date=November 12, 2020 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20201112223141/https://www.nytimes.com/2019/12/24/nyregion/carports-nyc.html |url-status=live}}</ref> There is a passenger and freight elevator connecting the cellar and ground-level loading dock.<ref name="Pasquarelli p. 172" />
{{Anchor|Lobby}}Steinway Hall's octagonal [[Rotunda (architecture)|rotunda]]
Steinway Hall's showrooms were clustered around a corridor that led from the rotunda.<ref name="NY1930" /><ref name="AB p. 69" /> The corridor from the rotunda to these showrooms had dull red and old rose furniture, as well as green wall surfaces.<ref name="AB p. 69" /> The showrooms were covered with wood panels for better acoustics.<ref name="Dolkart" /><ref name="AB pp. 69-70">{{harvnb|Architecture and Building|1925|ps=.|pp=69–70}}</ref> The first showroom past the rotunda and foyers was the Pine Room, which had pine-paneled walls, draped windows, illumination from chandeliers and ceiling bulbs, and an ivory-white plaster ceiling in low relief.<ref name="AB p. 69" /> Dimmers were provided so the light could be intensified for instrument examination.<ref name="AB pp. 69-70" /> Two other showrooms had cream-colored, paneled walls and low-relief ceilings; one of these rooms had decorative paintings and medallions on the ceiling.<ref name="AB pp. 69-70" /> Another showroom, known as the skylight room, had black-and-white wallpaper decorations depicting scenes in the [[Empire style|French Empire]] style, as well as a skylight over more than half the room. The rear of the ground floor contained the Walnut Room, with walnut-paneled walls, windows facing 58th Street, and a beamed ceiling with pastel-color designs. Antique pieces throughout all the display rooms were arranged to complement the piano displays.<ref>{{harvnb|Architecture and Building|1925|ps=.|p=70}}</ref>
Line 114 ⟶ 116:
Floor 2 contained four display rooms, which generally were larger than the ground-floor showrooms. They generally had cream-colored walls and ceilings and were connected by a corridor with pea-green walls. The floor surfaces were laid in California redwood planks {{Convert|2|in}} thick, which could withstand the weight of the pianos.<ref name="AB p. 71" /> Floor 3 was initially Steinway Hall's executive offices while floors 4 and 8 (originally the fourth and fifth floors, respectively<ref name="Pasquarelli pp. 185-186" />) were composed of soundproof music studios.<ref name="AB p. 69" /><ref name="NYCL (2001) p. 5" /> The original musical salon on floor 3 could fit 250 people and was designed with blue-gray plaster walls, a cream-colored low-relief ceiling, a gold-leaf cornice, an oak parquet floor, and a lighting system with a dimmer.<ref>{{harvnb|Architecture and Building|1925|ps=.|pp=70–71}}</ref> Following the residential conversion, floor 8 has contained a residents' rehearsal room and offices;<ref name="Pasquarelli p. 183" /> the room's design references the building's historical use.<ref name="Mazzara 2016" /> The non-residential areas between the cellar and floor 4 are served by a single elevator.<ref name="Pasquarelli p. 172" />
Floors 10 and 10M constitute the building's common amenity area.<ref>{{harvnb|Pasquarelli|2015|ps=.|p=184}}</ref> There is an {{convert|82|by|12|adj=on|ft|abbr=}} indoor pool<ref>{{harvnb|Pasquarelli|2015|ps=.|p=181}}</ref> with a limestone deck and cabanas, as well as sauna, steam, and treatment rooms adjacent to the pool. Floors 10 and 10M also contain a private dining room, fitness center, and study.<ref name="nyt20180906" /><ref name="Gannon 2019" /><ref name="Itzkowitz 2020" /> The fitness center has a terrace at mezzanine level, while the private dining room adjoins a catering kitchen.<ref name="Nast 2022 u245" /> In addition, there is a lounge with outdoor terrace,<ref name="Nast 2022 u245" /> as well as a [[golf simulator]].<ref
The remaining stories of Steinway Hall were originally rented as office space.<ref name="AB p. 71" /> The floors up to the 15th story (now floor 18<ref name="Pasquarelli pp. 185-186" />) typically measured {{Convert|11500|ft2}}, with more space facing 58th Street than 57th Street.<ref name="AB p. 71" /> The 16th story (now floor 19<ref name="Pasquarelli pp. 185-186" />) was much smaller and was intended as a studio apartment.<ref name="AB p. 71" /> After the residential conversion, the space above the amenity area was converted to 14 units, which range between {{Convert|2580|and|5269|ft2|abbr=}}.<ref name="Itzkowitz 2020" /> They consist of ten 3-bedroom units, three 1-bedroom units, and one [[studio apartment]]. Floor 11 has one 3-bedroom unit as well as the studio and 1-bedroom units, while floors 12, 14, 16, and 17 each have two 3-bedroom units.<ref name="Pasquarelli pp. 187-188">{{harvnb|Pasquarelli|2015|ps=.|pp=187–188}}</ref> The largest unit, a three-bedroom [[Duplex apartment|duplex]] penthouse on floors 19 and 20, contains a stone entrance foyer, private terraces, an office, a den, a kitchen, and a living room with {{Convert|26|ft||abbr=|adj=on}} ceilings.<ref>{{cite web |last=Alexa |first=Alexandra |date=November 8, 2019 |title=Striking penthouse inside the landmarked Steinway Building hits the market for $21M |url=https://www.6sqft.com/penthouse-inside-111-west-57th-streets-landmarked-steinway-building-hits-the-market-for-21m/ |access-date=November 10, 2020 |website=6sqft |archive-date=November 11, 2020 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20201111011528/https://www.6sqft.com/penthouse-inside-111-west-57th-streets-landmarked-steinway-building-hits-the-market-for-21m/ |url-status=live}}</ref> These units are all connected to ground level and floor 10 by a pair of elevators.<ref name="Pasquarelli p. 172" />
====Tower units====
The 46 condominiums in the building's tower range from {{Convert|3873|to|7128|ft2|abbr=}}.<ref name="Itzkowitz 2020" /> The apartments start above the 17th story, numbered as floor 20,{{efn|name=marketing-levels}} because the views of Central Park from the lower floors are obstructed by neighboring buildings.<ref name="Marcus2015" /> The units are mostly three-bedroom apartments each occupying one full floor, except for seven duplex units on floors 60–61 and 72–83, which each have between two and four bedrooms.<ref name="nyt20180906" /><ref name="Pasquarelli pp. 187-188" /> Many of the stories are open in plan and have {{Convert|14|ft||abbr=|adj=on}} ceilings.<ref name="Contents 2019" /><ref name="Lux Exposé 2019" /><ref name="Gannon 2019" /> {{As of|2018}}, prices ranged from $16 million for a [[studio apartment]] to over $66 million for the triplex penthouse.<ref name="nyt20180906" /><ref name="Gannon 2019" /><ref name="Gannon2020" />
Line 135 ⟶ 136:
==== Usage ====
[[File:Day Trip to New York City (2787623053).jpg|thumb|upright|alt=Refer to caption|Entrance to Steinway Hall at 111 West 57th Street, seen in 2008 prior to the residential tower's development]]
According to a ''New Yorker'' article in 2001, "almost every twentieth-century virtuoso has passed through" the first-floor reception room while headed to the Concert and Artists Department in the basement.<ref name="NYCL (2001) p. 5" /><ref>{{cite magazine |last=Stewart |first=James B. |date=August 20, 2001 |title=Matchmaker |url=https://www.newyorker.com/magazine/2001/08/20/matchmaker-2 |access-date=November 10, 2020 |magazine=The New Yorker |archive-date=June 2, 2021 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20210602214420/https://www.newyorker.com/magazine/2001/08/20/matchmaker-2 |url-status=live}}</ref> Among the notable performances at the 57th Street building was the 1928 duo piano recital by [[Vladimir Horowitz]] and [[Sergei Rachmaninoff]].<ref name="NYCL (2001) p. 5" /> The 57th Street building was also intended as a [[speculative development]] for Steinway & Sons; it was not particularly successful in that respect, with a [[rate of return]] of only 2 percent.<ref name="NYCL (2001) p. 7">{{harvnb|Landmarks Preservation Commission|2001|ps=.|p=7}}</ref><ref>{{harvnb|ps=.|Lieberman|1997|p=264}}</ref><ref name="Fostle p. 458" /> Even so, by 1940, all studios in the Steinway Building had been leased.<ref>{{Cite news |date=October 31, 1940 |title=Steinway Building Rents All Studios: Music Teachers, Ballet School and Publishing Concern Complete Leasing |language=en-US |work=The New York Times |url=https://www.nytimes.com/1940/10/31/archives/steinway-building-rents-all-studios-music-teachers-ballet-school.html |access-date=September 8, 2021 |issn=0362-4331 |archive-date=September 9, 2021 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20210909001816/https://www.nytimes.com/1940/10/31/archives/steinway-building-rents-all-studios-music-teachers-ballet-school.html |url-status=live}}</ref> Throughout the years, the building's tenants included publications such as ''[[Musical America]]'', ''[[Architectural Forum]]'', and ''[[The Economist]]'', as well as [[CBS]] broadcasting studios.<ref name="NYCL (2001) p. 8" />
Steinway Hall received an $850,000 first mortgage from [[Hubbard, Westervelt & Mottelay Inc.]] in 1939.<ref>{{cite news |date=May 11, 1939 |title=$850,000 Loan Placed On Steinway Building |page=45A |work=New York Herald Tribune |id={{ProQuest|1259234519}}|postscript=none}}
Steinway Hall was acquired by 111 West 57th Street Associates in 1980,<ref name="NYCL (2001) p. 7" /><ref name="nyt19800330">{{Cite news |date=March 30, 1980 |title=Realty News; West 57th Street Lake Success, L.I. |language=en-US |work=The New York Times |url=https://www.nytimes.com/1980/03/30/archives/realty-news-west-57th-street-lake-success-li.html |access-date=September 8, 2021 |issn=0362-4331 |archive-date=September 9, 2021 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20210909001900/https://www.nytimes.com/1980/03/30/archives/realty-news-west-57th-street-lake-success-li.html |url-status=live}}</ref> and [[Bernard H. Mendik]] simultaneously paid $8.65 million for the leasehold.<ref name="nyt19800330" /> The Apollo sculpture above the main entrance was restored, and the plaque above the entrance was replaced, in 1990 after ''The Economist'' moved to 111 West 57th Street.<ref>{{Cite news |date=December 9, 1990 |title=Postings: Steinway Building Restoration; Behind a Panel – Apollo |language=en-US |work=The New York Times |url=https://www.nytimes.com/1990/12/09/realestate/postings-steinway-building-restoration-behind-a-panel-apollo.html |access-date=September 9, 2021 |issn=0362-4331 |archive-date=February 7, 2018 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20180207160818/http://www.nytimes.com/1990/12/09/realestate/postings-steinway-building-restoration-behind-a-panel-apollo.html |url-status=live}}</ref> In 1997, Jeffrey Biegel performed the first classical music recital transmitted live over the internet, with audio and video, at Steinway Hall.<ref>{{Cite news |last=Rosenblum |first=Ira |date=July 8, 1997 |title=Live Video Is Joining Sound on the Web |language=en-US |work=The New York Times |url=https://www.nytimes.com/1997/07/08/arts/live-video-is-joining-sound-on-the-web.html |access-date=November 10, 2020 |issn=0362-4331 |archive-date=June 2, 2021 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20210602225327/https://www.nytimes.com/1997/07/08/arts/live-video-is-joining-sound-on-the-web.html |url-status=live}}</ref> Steinway bought back the building in early 1999 for approximately $62–63 million,<ref name="p219141622">{{cite magazine |last=Croghan |first=Lore |date=
===Residential tower planning===
Line 147 ⟶ 148:
In May 2005, [[Investcorp]] and Ceebraid-Signal purchased the one-story Ritz Fur Shop building at 107 West 57th Street, adjacent to Steinway Hall, for $23 million, along with $8.75 million for neighboring [[air rights]].<ref>{{cite news |url=https://betweenthebricks.com/2005/05/12/ritz-fur-shop-to-go/ |title=Ritz Fur Shop To Go |date=May 12, 2005 |work=Between the Bricks |last=Weiss |first=Lois |access-date=November 9, 2020}}</ref> According to ''[[The Real Deal (magazine)|The Real Deal]]'', the sale was finalized in 2006 for $52 million.<ref>{{Cite web |date=March 13, 2019 |title=111 West 57th Street Condominium |url=https://therealdeal.com/new-research/topics/property/111-west-57th-street-condominium/ |access-date=May 30, 2021 |work=The Real Deal |archive-date=June 2, 2021 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20210602213849/https://therealdeal.com/new-research/topics/property/111-west-57th-street-condominium/ |url-status=live}}</ref> The companies planned a 35-story tower on the site with 37 residential units, three lower floors of office space, and ground floor and basement retail space.<ref>{{cite news |url=https://therealdeal.com/2012/05/18/jds-buys-majority-interest-in-starwood-project-plans-residential-tower/ |title=JDS buys majority interest in Starwood project, plans residential tower |date=May 18, 2012 |last=Clarke |first=Katherine |work=The Real Deal |access-date=November 9, 2020 |archive-date=November 18, 2020 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20201118214525/https://therealdeal.com/2012/05/18/jds-buys-majority-interest-in-starwood-project-plans-residential-tower/ |url-status=live}}</ref>
In October 2006, [[Barry Sternlicht]]'s [[Starwood Capital Group]] purchased the site at 105–107 West 57th Street for $52 million with a $30 million loan from [[Eurohypo]].<ref>{{cite news |url=https://observer.com/2013/01/57th-heaven-how-a-boring-boulevard-became-the-billionaires-belt/ |work=New York Observer |date=January 8, 2013 |last=Chaban |first=Matt |title=57th Heaven: How a Boring Boulevard Became the Billionaires Belt |access-date=May 20, 2019 |archive-date=January 12, 2019 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20190112004034/https://observer.com/2013/01/57th-heaven-how-a-boring-boulevard-became-the-billionaires-belt/ |url-status=live}}</ref> Demolition of the site was underway the same year.<ref>{{cite web |first=Michael |last=Stoler |date=October 5, 2006 |title=Manhattan Mall On the Block; Crowne Plaza Hotel Sold |website=The New York Sun |url=https://www.nysun.com/real-estate/manhattan-mall-on-the-block-crowne-plaza-hotel/40944/ |access-date=May 30, 2021 |archive-date=June 2, 2021 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20210602213606/https://www.nysun.com/real-estate/manhattan-mall-on-the-block-crowne-plaza-hotel/40944/ |url-status=live}}</ref> Before the [[financial crisis of 2007–2008]], Starwood Capital reportedly planned to construct a new hotel tower for sister company [[Starwood Hotels and Resorts|Starwood]] as part of a new "Hotel Crillon" luxury brand based on Paris's [[Hôtel de Crillon]].<ref>{{cite news |title=Ritz Site Gets a Ritzy Price: $52M |url=https://betweenthebricks.com/2006/10/04/ritz-site-gets-aritzy-price-52m/ |work=Between the Bricks |last=Weiss |first=Lois |date=October 4, 2006 |access-date=November 9, 2020}}</ref> In early 2012, Starwood sold a majority interest in the assemblage to JDS Development Group for $40 million and stayed on as a [[joint venture]] partner.<ref>{{cite news |url=https://www.wsj.com/articles/SB10001424052702303360504577412514014308158 |title=New Plan for a Growth Area |work=[[The Wall Street Journal]] |issn=0099-9660 |date=May 18, 2012 |last=Pirolo |first=Alessia |access-date=May 20, 2019 |archive-date=May 19, 2020 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20200519212838/https://www.wsj.com/articles/SB10001424052702303360504577412514014308158 |url-status=live}}</ref><ref name="Financial Times 2020">{{cite web |last=Chaffin |first=Joshua |date=April 17, 2020 |title=The highs and lows of a New York skyscraper king |url=https://www.ft.com/content/1f95c4fc-7eb0-11ea-8fdb-7ec06edeef84 |access-date=November 11, 2020 |website=Financial Times |archive-date=November 8, 2020 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20201108110943/https://www.ft.com/content/1f95c4fc-7eb0-11ea-8fdb-7ec06edeef84 |url-status=live}}</ref> That March, the first plans for the site at 105–107 West 57th Street were filed with the [[New York City Department of Buildings]] for a 51-story tower rising {{convert|671|ft|m}} and containing 27 condominiums.<ref>{{cite news |url=https://www.newyorkyimby.com/2012/03/105-west-57th-hotel-crillon-coming-to-midtown-new-skyscraper-proposed.html |title=105 West 57th: Hotel Crillon Coming To Midtown? New Skyscraper Proposed! |last=Fedak |first=Nikolai |date=March 14, 2012 |work=New York YIMBY |access-date=May 20, 2019 |archive-date=May 19, 2020 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20200519224958/https://www.newyorkyimby.com/2012/03/105-west-57th-hotel-crillon-coming-to-midtown-new-skyscraper-proposed.html |url-status=live}}</ref> Renderings of the planned development were revealed that September, showing a sloping tower by [[CetraRuddy]], covered with balconies facing Central Park.<ref>{{cite news |work=New York Observer |date=September 24, 2012 |url=https://observer.com/2012/09/107-west-57th-street-cetra-ruddy-jds-luxury-apartments/ |title=Just How Many Skinny Luxury Towers Can We Jam Onto 57th Street? Well, Here's Another 51-Story Doozy |last=Chaban |first=Matt |access-date=May 20, 2019 |archive-date=June 2, 2018 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20180602010657/http://observer.com/2012/09/107-west-57th-street-cetra-ruddy-jds-luxury-apartments/ |url-status=live}}</ref> At the time, construction was expected to take place from early 2013 to late 2014.<ref>{{cite news |url=https://therealdeal.com/issues_articles/battling-skyscrapers-on-57th-street/ |title=Battling skyscrapers on 57th Street |last=Qureshi |first=Yasmeen |work=The Real Deal |date=February 1, 2013 |access-date=May 20, 2019 |archive-date=May 21, 2019 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20190521190414/https://therealdeal.com/issues_articles/battling-skyscrapers-on-57th-street/ |url-status=live}}</ref>
==== JDS and PMG control ====
At the end of 2012, Steinway & Sons announced that it would sell Steinway Hall, adjacent to the planned development at 107 West 57th Street, for $46 million.<ref>{{cite news |issn=0362-4331 |url=https://www.nytimes.com/2012/12/08/nyregion/future-is-uncertain-for-steinways-ornate-home-for-pianos.html |title=Fate Unclear for Ornate Piano Showroom |date=December 8, 2012 |newspaper=The New York Times |last=Barron |first=James |author-link=James Barron (journalist) |access-date=May 20, 2019 |archive-date=May 17, 2020 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20200517212730/https://www.nytimes.com/2012/12/08/nyregion/future-is-uncertain-for-steinways-ornate-home-for-pianos.html |url-status=live}}</ref> At the time, Steinway & Sons was losing $5 million a year from continuing to own Steinway Hall. In March 2013, a [[joint venture]] of JDS Development, PMG, and [[Arthur P. Becker]] officially purchased Steinway Hall.<ref name="nyt20130326">{{cite news |last=Barron |first=James |author-link=James Barron (journalist) |date=March 26, 2013 |title=Steinway to Sell Its Famed Showroom Building |newspaper=The New York Times |url=https://cityroom.blogs.nytimes.com/2013/03/26/steinway-to-sell-its-famed-showroom-building/ |access-date=May 20, 2019 |issn=0362-4331 |archive-date=September 30, 2019 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20190930203454/https://cityroom.blogs.nytimes.com/2013/03/26/steinway-to-sell-its-famed-showroom-building/ |url-status=live}}</ref> Becker allegedly purchased his stake with the help of a $21 million loan from Russian oligarchs [[Serguei Adoniev]] and [[Albert Avdolyan]], concealed via numerous [[Offshore investment|offshore]] LLCs in the [[British Virgin Islands]] and [[Hong Kong]] orchestrated by British financier [[Andy Ruhan]].<ref>{{cite news |url=https://therealdeal.com/2018/12/20/the-russian-oligarchs-guide-how-to-hide-20m-in-a-manhattan-skyscraper/ |title=A Russian oligarch's guide: How to hide $20M in a NYC skyscraper |work=The Real Deal |date=December 20, 2018 |last1=Putzier |first1=Konrad |last2=Jeans |first2=David |access-date=May 20, 2019 |archive-date=May 29, 2019 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20190529222912/https://therealdeal.com/2018/12/20/the-russian-oligarchs-guide-how-to-hide-20m-in-a-manhattan-skyscraper/ |url-status=live|postscript=none}}
Steinway & Sons was allowed to remain in the building for 18 months after the sale.<ref name="nyt20130326" /><ref>{{cite web |last=Barbarino |first=Al |date=July 29, 2013 |title=Steinway Hall's Final Movement Begins Following $131 M. Sale |url=https://commercialobserver.com/2013/07/steinway-halls-final-movement-begins-after-131-m-sale/ |access-date=November 11, 2020 |website=Commercial Observer |archive-date=November 6, 2020 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20201106215603/https://commercialobserver.com/2013/07/steinway-halls-final-movement-begins-after-131-m-sale/ |url-status=live}}</ref> The developers either bought out the other eleven tenants' leases or waited for the leases to expire.<ref name="Mazzara 2016" /> Not long after the developers bought Steinway Hall, they secured a $230 million acquisition loan from [[Annaly Capital Management]] on the development site.<ref name="trd20171101">{{cite news |url=https://therealdeal.com/issues_articles/the-obscure-investor-who-could-sabotage-nycs-tallest-planned-condo-tower/ |title=The obscure investor who could sabotage NYC's most ambitious planned condo tower |date=November 1, 2017 |access-date=May 20, 2019 |work=The Real Deal |last=Putzier |first=Konrad |archive-date=May 21, 2019 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20190521202025/https://therealdeal.com/issues_articles/the-obscure-investor-who-could-sabotage-nycs-tallest-planned-condo-tower/ |url-status=live}}</ref> Stern and Maloney did not yet have the cash to fund the tower's construction. Although Ruhan had promised to be a primary investor, he subsequently lowered his investment and took a 26.3 percent stake with his partner [[Arthur P. Becker]].<ref name="trd20171101" /> Accordingly, AmBase Corporation purchased a 59 percent stake in the development for $56 million in June 2013.<ref name="trd20150529">{{cite news |last=Putzier |first=Konrad |date=May 29, 2015 |title=Lead investor in JDS, PMG's supertall 57th St. tower turns off cash pump |work=The Real Deal |url=https://therealdeal.com/2015/05/29/leading-investor-in-jds-pmgs-111-w-57th-st-turns-off-the-spigot/ |access-date=May 20, 2019 |archive-date=May 6, 2019 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20190506120418/https://therealdeal.com/2015/05/29/leading-investor-in-jds-pmgs-111-w-57th-st-turns-off-the-spigot/ |url-status=live}}</ref> Stern and Maloney retained the remaining 14.7 percent stake.<ref name="trd20171101" />
With the acquisition of Steinway Hall, the developers decided to create new plans.<ref name="Financial Times 2020" /> The developers considered several architects, including CetraRuddy, [[Frank Gehry|Gehry]], and [[HOK (firm)|HOK]], before ultimately hiring SHoP Architects.<ref name="Mazzara 2016" /> In an interview, Stern said that he had selected SHoP because the firm was "not afraid to push boundaries", as in its design of the [[Barclays Center]] arena.<ref name="Mazzara 2016" /><ref name="nyyimby20140102" /> In August 2013, the developers filed permits for a 74-story, {{convert|1,200|ft|m|abbr=|adj=on}} tower that would hold 100 condominiums above six floors of retail.<ref name="Mazzara 2016" /><ref>{{cite news |url=http://www.newyorkyimby.com/2013/08/permits-filed-111-west-57th-street-to-soar-1200.html |title=111 West 57th Street to Soar 1,200 Feet |last=Fedak |first=Nikolai |date=August 8, 2013 |work=New York YIMBY |access-date=August 17, 2015 |archive-date=September 12, 2015 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20150912020709/http://newyorkyimby.com/2013/08/permits-filed-111-west-57th-street-to-soar-1200.html |url-status=live}}</ref> SHoP's plans incorporated the existing structure into the base of the new tower.<ref name="Alberts 2013">{{cite web |last=Alberts |first=Hana R. |date=September 10, 2013 |title=$23M Sky Garage PH Glows; Steinway Interior Gets Landmarked |url=https://ny.curbed.com/2013/9/10/10199596/23m-sky-garage-ph-glows-steinway-interior-gets-landmarked |access-date=November 11, 2020 |website=Curbed NY |archive-date=November 6, 2020 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20201106170021/https://ny.curbed.com/2013/9/10/10199596/23m-sky-garage-ph-glows-steinway-interior-gets-landmarked |url-status=live}}</ref><ref name="CityLand 2013">{{cite web |date=September 16, 2013 |title=Former Piano Showroom City's Newest Interior Landmark |url=https://www.citylandnyc.org/former-piano-showroom-citys-newest-interior-landmark/ |access-date=November 11, 2020 |website=CityLand |archive-date=October 1, 2020 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20201001042834/https://www.citylandnyc.org/former-piano-showroom-citys-newest-interior-landmark/ |url-status=live}}</ref> Further complicating the planning process, the LPC had considered landmark status for Steinway Hall's rotunda in mid-2013; such a designation would require the developers to preserve the space.<ref>{{Cite web |last=Zimmer |first=Amy |date=June 25, 2013 |title=Opulent Steinway & Sons Reception Hall to be Considered for Landmark Status |url=https://www.dnainfo.com/new-york/20130625/midtown/opulent-steinway-sons-reception-hall-be-considered-for-landmark-status |access-date=November 11, 2020 |website=DNAinfo New York |archive-date=November 11, 2017 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20171111174814/https://www.dnainfo.com/new-york/20130625/midtown/opulent-steinway-sons-reception-hall-be-considered-for-landmark-status |url-status=dead}}</ref> JDS and PMG expressed support for the landmark status,<ref>{{Cite web |date=July 31, 2013 |title=Opulent Piano Retail Space Considered as a Potential Interior Landmark |url=https://www.citylandnyc.org/opulent-piano-retail-space-considered-as-a-potential-interior-landmark/ |access-date=November 11, 2020 |website=CityLand |language=en-US |archive-date=September 26, 2020 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20200926183835/https://www.citylandnyc.org/opulent-piano-retail-space-considered-as-a-potential-interior-landmark/ |url-status=live}}</ref><ref name="Budin 2013">{{cite web |last=Budin |first=Jeremiah |date=October 1, 2013 |title=Landmarks Won't Oppose SHoP's West 57th Street Tower |url=https://ny.curbed.com/2013/10/1/10192128/landmarks-wont-oppose-shops-west-57th-street-tower |access-date=November 11, 2020 |website=Curbed NY |archive-date=November 7, 2020 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20201107040347/https://ny.curbed.com/2013/10/1/10192128/landmarks-wont-oppose-shops-west-57th-street-tower |url-status=live}}</ref> and the LPC designated the rotunda as a landmark that September.<ref name="Alberts 2013" /><ref name="CityLand 2013" /> The same month, ''[[The Wall Street Journal]]'' published updated renderings for the tower. The new design would stretch {{convert|1,350|ft|m}} tall<ref>{{cite news |last=Brown |first=Eliot |date=September 8, 2013 |title=New Era for Skyscrapers |work=[[The Wall Street Journal]] |url=https://www.wsj.com/articles/new-era-for-skyscrapers-1378693005 |access-date=May 20, 2019 |issn=0099-9660 |archive-date=May 7, 2019 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20190507211819/https://www.wsj.com/articles/new-era-for-skyscrapers-1378693005 |url-status=live|postscript=none}}
===Tower construction===
[[File:111w57june24 16.jpg|thumb|upright|alt=The construction site in June 2016; the previous buildings on the site have been razed.|The construction site in June 2016]]
The developers held a [[groundbreaking]] ceremony for the project in early 2014.<ref>{{cite news |url=https://therealdeal.com/2014/02/25/jds-property-markets-break-ground-on-111-west-57th/ |title=JDS, Property Markets break ground on 111 West 57th |work=The Real Deal |date=February 25, 2014 |access-date=May 20, 2019 |archive-date=May 11, 2019 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20190511044159/https://therealdeal.com/2014/02/25/jds-property-markets-break-ground-on-111-west-57th/ |url-status=live}}</ref> That July, the developers installed the tallest freestanding [[Crane (machine)|crane]] in New York City history, measuring {{convert|220|ft}}, to construct the residential tower.<ref>{{cite news |last=Mashayekhi |first=Rey |date=July 14, 2014 |title=Tallest freestanding crane in NYC history arrives in Midtown at 111 W. 57th Street |work=The Real Deal |url=http://therealdeal.com/blog/2015/07/14/tallest-freestanding-crane-in-nyc-history-rises-in-midtown/ |access-date=August 16, 2015 |archive-date=August 16, 2015 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20150816083605/http://therealdeal.com/blog/2015/07/14/tallest-freestanding-crane-in-nyc-history-rises-in-midtown/ |url-status=live}}</ref> In January 2015, the [[New York City Department of Buildings]] approved final permits for the project.<ref name="Mazzara 2016" /><ref name="nyyimby20150107" /> The new permits called for the tower to rise 80 stories, with a {{convert|1,397|ft|m|abbr=|adj=on}} roof and a {{Convert|24|ft||abbr=|adj=on}} crown bringing its pinnacle to {{Convert|1421|ft||abbr=}}.<ref name="Willett 2015" /><ref>{{cite web |last=Schulz |first=Dana |date=April 21, 2014 |title=111 West 57th Street: The World's Skinniest Tower Will Rise to 1,421 Feet |url=https://www.6sqft.com/111-west-57th-street-the-worlds-skinniest-tower-will-also-be-the-hemispheres-tallest-residential-building/ |access-date=November 11, 2020 |website=6sqft |archive-date=December 20, 2020 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20201220223821/https://www.6sqft.com/111-west-57th-street-the-worlds-skinniest-tower-will-also-be-the-hemispheres-tallest-residential-building/ |url-status=live|postscript=none}}
==== Progress and financial issues ====
Meanwhile, construction costs had risen by over $50 million because of complications in working around Steinway Hall.<ref name="trd20150529" /> The site had to be excavated manually to avoid disturbing Steinway Hall's tenants; materials had to be staged inside the building; and the crane could not operate if the wind speed was over {{Convert|35|mph||abbr=}}.<ref name="Financial Times 2020" /> To cover the extra costs, the developers had issued six [[capital call]]s totaling $63.6 million. AmBase participated in only the first four calls, and each time, provided a small portion of the funding that JDS and PMG requested.<ref name="trd20150529" /> AmBase's stake was subsequently reduced from 60.3 percent to 43.5 percent,<ref name="trd20171101" /> and by May 2015, AmBase was looking to reduce its involvement in 111 West 57th Street.<ref name="trd20150529" /> The next month, the developers received a four-year, $725 million construction loan, split between a $400 million senior loan from [[American International Group]] and a $325 million mezzanine loan from [[Apollo Global Management]].<ref>{{cite news |last=Geiger |first=Daniel |date=June 30, 2015 |title=Developers score $725 million loan to build another super-tall tower on Billionaires' Row |work=Crain's New York |url=https://www.crainsnewyork.com/article/20150630/REAL_ESTATE/150639985/jds-development-and-property-markets-group-secure-725-million-construction-loan-for-pencil-thin-condo-tower |access-date=May 20, 2019 |archive-date=October 2, 2019 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20191002062014/https://www.crainsnewyork.com/article/20150630/REAL_ESTATE/150639985/jds-development-and-property-markets-group-secure-725-million-construction-loan-for-pencil-thin-condo-tower |url-status=live}}</ref> The [[Qatar Investment Authority]] provided $161.5 million of the mezzanine loan through investment vehicles managed by Apollo.<ref>{{cite news |last=Putzier |first=Konrad |date=August 3, 2017 |title=The quiet financier behind New York's second-tallest condo project: Qatar |work=The Real Deal |url=https://therealdeal.com/2017/08/03/the-quiet-financier-behind-new-yorks-second-tallest-condo-project-qatar/ |access-date=May 20, 2019 |archive-date=May 5, 2019 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20190505053435/https://therealdeal.com/2017/08/03/the-quiet-financier-behind-new-yorks-second-tallest-condo-project-qatar/ |url-status=live}}</ref>
In March 2016, Maloney told [[Bloomberg News]] that sales at the building would not commence until the following year. This was attributed to a general slowdown in the luxury residential market.<ref>{{cite web |last=Carmiel |first=Oshrat |date=March 31, 2016 |title=How to Sell a $60 Million Penthouse: Don't Try |url=https://www.bloomberg.com/news/articles/2016-03-31/nyc-condo-builders-hold-off-on-courting-buyers-in-slowing-market |access-date=November 11, 2020 |website=Bloomberg.com |archive-date=November 8, 2020 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20201108092349/http://www.bloomberg.com/news/articles/2016-03-31/nyc-condo-builders-hold-off-on-courting-buyers-in-slowing-market |url-status=live|postscript=none}}
[[File:SteinwayTowerNov2017.jpg|thumb|upright|left|alt=Refer to caption|Construction in November 2017, shortly after glass installation began]]▼
The landmarked facade of Steinway Hall was restored in early 2017.<ref name="Plitt 2017" /> JDS also restored Steinway Hall's eighth-story recital hall after Marci Clark, the director of JDS's marketing department, discovered archival photos of the hall.<ref name="nyt-2016-01-25">{{Cite news |last=Chaban |first=Matt A. V. |date=2016-01-25 |title=Unearthing the Past to Create New York's Buildings of Tomorrow |language=en-US |work=The New York Times |url=https://www.nytimes.com/2016/01/26/nyregion/unearthing-the-past-to-create-new-yorks-buildings-of-tomorrow.html |access-date=2023-10-06 |issn=0362-4331}}</ref> Construction had stalled by July 2017, after the tower had been built to 20 stories. At the time, Spruce claimed that it had not received payment on the $25 million mezzanine loan and filed paperwork to begin the process of [[foreclosure]], leading AmBase to file another lawsuit against Maloney, Stern, and Spruce.<ref name="6sqft20170727">{{cite web |last=Cohen |first=Michelle |date=July 27, 2017 |title=World's skinniest skyscraper at 111 West 57th Street stalled at 20 stories by soaring costs |url=https://www.6sqft.com/worlds-skinniest-skyscraper-at-111-west-57th-street-stalled-at-20-stories-by-soaring-costs/ |access-date=July 28, 2017 |publisher=6sqft.com |archive-date=July 28, 2017 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20170728201625/https://www.6sqft.com/worlds-skinniest-skyscraper-at-111-west-57th-street-stalled-at-20-stories-by-soaring-costs/ |url-status=live}}</ref><ref name="crains20170727">{{cite news |last=Geiger |first=Daniel |date=July 27, 2017 |title=Steinway Tower lender attempted foreclosure, lawsuit alleges |work=Crain's New York |url=https://www.crainsnewyork.com/article/20170727/REAL_ESTATE/170729896/steinway-tower-lender-attempted-foreclosure |access-date=May 20, 2019 |archive-date=September 9, 2021 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20210909001817/https://www.crainsnewyork.com/article/20170727/REAL_ESTATE/170729896/steinway-tower-lender-attempted-foreclosure |url-status=live}}</ref> The next month, the [[New York Supreme Court]] ruled that Spruce Capital could proceed with foreclosure. This allowed the lender to transfer the development entirely to Maloney and Stern, wiping out AmBase's investment completely.<ref name="crains20170830">{{cite news |last=Geiger |first=Daniel |date=August 30, 2017 |title=Steinway Tower owner loses bid to hold on to $1B condo project |work=Crain's New York |url=https://www.crainsnewyork.com/article/20170830/REAL_ESTATE/170829871/steinway-tower-owner-loses-bid-to-hold-on-to-1b-condo-project |access-date=May 20, 2019 |archive-date=May 15, 2019 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20190515052937/https://www.crainsnewyork.com/article/20170830/REAL_ESTATE/170829871/steinway-tower-owner-loses-bid-to-hold-on-to-1b-condo-project |url-status=live}}</ref><ref>{{cite web |date=August 3, 2017 |title=Foreclosure moves ahead at Billionaires' Row supertall 111 West 57th Street |url=https://www.6sqft.com/foreclosure-moves-ahead-at-billionaires-row-supertall-111-west-57th-street/ |access-date=November 11, 2020 |website=6sqft |archive-date=December 19, 2020 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20201219182306/https://www.6sqft.com/foreclosure-moves-ahead-at-billionaires-row-supertall-111-west-57th-street/ |url-status=live}}</ref>▼
▲The landmarked facade of Steinway Hall was restored in early 2017.<ref name="Plitt 2017" /> JDS also restored Steinway Hall's eighth-story recital hall after Marci Clark, the director of JDS's marketing department, discovered archival photos of the hall.<ref
▲[[File:SteinwayTowerNov2017.jpg|thumb|alt=Refer to caption|Construction in November 2017, shortly after glass installation began]]
By November 2017, the tower had reached a height of roughly {{convert|500|ft|m}}, and initial glass [[facade]] installation had begun.<ref name="trd20171101" /> Despite the building's monetary and legal issues, a number of apartments in the tower had already gone to contract.<ref>{{cite web |last=Gannon |first=Devin |date=August 3, 2017 |title=Despite legal troubles, the first units at 111 West 57th Street go into contract |url=https://www.6sqft.com/despite-legal-troubles-the-first-units-at-111-west-57th-street-go-into-contract/ |access-date=August 7, 2017 |publisher=6sqft.com |archive-date=January 27, 2021 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20210127125817/https://www.6sqft.com/despite-legal-troubles-the-first-units-at-111-west-57th-street-go-into-contract/ |url-status=live}}</ref><ref>{{cite news |last=Putzier |first=Konrad |date=August 2, 2017 |title=First 111 West 57th Street units go into contract |work=The Real Deal |url=https://therealdeal.com/2017/08/02/first-111-west-57th-street-units-go-into-contract/ |access-date=August 7, 2017 |archive-date=August 9, 2017 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20170809061211/https://therealdeal.com/2017/08/02/first-111-west-57th-street-units-go-into-contract/ |url-status=live}}</ref> In March 2018, the tower's height surpassed the halfway point at over {{convert|700|ft|m}}.<ref>{{cite news |last=Nelson |first=Andrew |date=March 13, 2018 |title=111 West 57th Street Officially Surpasses Halfway Point in Rise to 1,428{{prime}} Pinnacle |work=New York YIMBY |url=https://www.newyorkyimby.com/2018/03/111-west-57th-street-officially-surpasses-halfway-point-in-rise-to-1428-pinnacle.html |access-date=March 14, 2018 |archive-date=March 16, 2018 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20180316204329/https://newyorkyimby.com/2018/03/111-west-57th-street-officially-surpasses-halfway-point-in-rise-to-1428-pinnacle.html |url-status=live}}</ref> Two months later, Madison Realty Capital provided a $90 million [[preferred equity]] investment in the tower, allowing construction to continue.<ref>{{cite news |last=Geiger |first=Daniel |date=May 23, 2018 |title=Reprieve for troubled Billionaires' Row condo tower |work=Crain's New York |url=https://www.crainsnewyork.com/article/20180523/REAL_ESTATE/180529946/reprieve-for-billionaires-row-condo-tower-as-madison-realty-capital-injects-90-million |access-date=May 20, 2019 |archive-date=May 17, 2019 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20190517214128/https://www.crainsnewyork.com/article/20180523/REAL_ESTATE/180529946/reprieve-for-billionaires-row-condo-tower-as-madison-realty-capital-injects-90-million |url-status=live}}</ref> The developers filed paperwork with the [[Attorney General of New York]] to raise prices at the project in August 2018.<ref>{{cite news |url=https://therealdeal.com/2018/08/15/reverse-psychology-prices-raised-at-111-west-57th-ahead-of-sales-launch/ |title=Reverse psychology? Prices raised at 111 West 57th ahead of sales launch |date=August 15, 2018 |work=The Real Deal |last=Solomont |first=E.B. |access-date=May 20, 2019 |archive-date=May 6, 2019 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20190506232718/https://therealdeal.com/2018/08/15/reverse-psychology-prices-raised-at-111-west-57th-ahead-of-sales-launch/ |url-status=live}}</ref><ref>{{Cite web |last=Nelson |first=Andrew |date=September 14, 2018 |title=111 West 57th Street Reveals Two-Story Model Tower & Officially Launches Sales |url=https://newyorkyimby.com/2018/09/111-west-57th-street-reveals-two-story-model-tower-officially-launches-sales.html |access-date=November 11, 2020 |website=New York YIMBY |language=en-US |archive-date=September 25, 2020 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20200925154616/https://www.newyorkyimby.com/2018/09/111-west-57th-street-reveals-two-story-model-tower-officially-launches-sales.html |url-status=live}}</ref> Sales at the project officially relaunched the next month with prices ranging from $18 million to over $57 million;<ref>{{cite news |url=https://therealdeal.com/2018/09/13/white-onyx-velvet-walls-and-champagne-111-west-57th-finally-launches-sales/ |date=September 13, 2018 |work=The Real Deal |title=White onyx, velvet walls and champagne: 111 West 57th finally launches sales |last=Solomont |first=E.B. |access-date=May 20, 2019 |archive-date=May 7, 2019 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20190507002634/https://therealdeal.com/2018/09/13/white-onyx-velvet-walls-and-champagne-111-west-57th-finally-launches-sales/ |url-status=live}}</ref> a few apartments were placed on sale at a time.<ref name="nyt-2021-05-07">{{Cite news |last=Biggs |first=Caroline |date=2021-05-07 |title=Old Buildings, New Views |language=en-US |work=The New York Times |url=https://www.nytimes.com/2021/05/07/realestate/old-buildings-new-views.html |access-date=2023-10-06 |issn=0362-4331}}</ref> By then, the building was more commonly known by its address than as "Steinway Tower".<ref name="nyt20180906" />{{efn|Some later sources, such as ''[[Business Insider]]'', continued to refer to the tower as "Steinway Tower".<ref name="Warren 2020">{{cite web |last=Warren |first=Katie |title=The world's skinniest skyscraper is almost complete. I toured its first luxury condo – take a look inside the NYC tower that's 24 times as tall as it is wide. |website=Business Insider |date=August 11, 2020 |url=https://www.businessinsider.com/inside-worlds-skinniest-skyscraper-steinway-tower-new-york-city-2019-10 |access-date=May 27, 2021 |archive-date=July 30, 2021 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20210730201531/https://www.businessinsider.com/inside-worlds-skinniest-skyscraper-steinway-tower-new-york-city-2019-10 |url-status=live}}</ref>}}▼
▲By November 2017, the tower had reached a height of roughly {{convert|500|ft|m}}, and initial glass [[facade]] installation had begun.<ref name="trd20171101" /> Despite the building's monetary and legal issues, a number of apartments in the tower had already gone to contract.<ref>{{cite web |last=Gannon |first=Devin |date=August 3, 2017 |title=Despite legal troubles, the first units at 111 West 57th Street go into contract |url=https://www.6sqft.com/despite-legal-troubles-the-first-units-at-111-west-57th-street-go-into-contract/ |access-date=August 7, 2017 |publisher=6sqft.com |archive-date=January 27, 2021 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20210127125817/https://www.6sqft.com/despite-legal-troubles-the-first-units-at-111-west-57th-street-go-into-contract/ |url-status=live|postscript=none}}
====Completion====▼
The building's concrete form topped out during April 2019,<ref>{{cite news |url=https://www.newyorkyimby.com/2019/04/111-west-57th-streets-super-slender-concrete-formwork-officially-tops-out-atop-billionaires-row-in-midtown.html |title=111 West 57th Street's Super-Slender Concrete Formwork Officially Tops Out Atop Billionaires' Row, In Midtown |work=New York YIMBY |last=Young |first=Michael |date=April 29, 2019 |access-date=May 20, 2019 |archive-date=April 26, 2019 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20190426212915/https://newyorkyimby.com/2019/04/111-west-57th-streets-super-slender-concrete-formwork-officially-tops-out-atop-billionaires-row-in-midtown.html |url-status=live}}</ref> and the steel reached the top of the parapet that October.<ref>{{Cite web |last=Fedak |first=Nikolai |date=October 7, 2019 |title=111 West 57th Street's Crowning Steel Officially Reaches 1,428-Foot Rooftop Parapet in Midtown Manhattan |url=https://newyorkyimby.com/2019/10/111-west-57th-streets-crowning-steel-officially-reaches-1428-foot-rooftop-parapet-in-midtown-manhattan.html |access-date=November 11, 2020 |website=New York YIMBY |language=en-US |archive-date=November 22, 2020 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20201122081942/https://newyorkyimby.com/2019/10/111-west-57th-streets-crowning-steel-officially-reaches-1428-foot-rooftop-parapet-in-midtown-manhattan.html |url-status=live}}</ref><ref>{{cite web |last=Hall |first=Miriam |date=October 29, 2019 |title=In A Swamped Luxury Market, Another Billionaires' Row Tower Officially Tops Out |url=https://www.bisnow.com/new-york/news/construction-development/111-west-57th-street-101543 |access-date=November 11, 2020 |website=Bisnow |archive-date=September 9, 2021 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20210909001818/https://www.bisnow.com/new-york/news/construction-development/111-west-57th-street-101543 |url-status=live}}</ref> Despite an unfavorable luxury real estate market, the building's {{convert|7,175|sqft|m2|abbr=|adj=on}} [[Penthouse apartment|penthouse]] entered contract in mid-2019 for "close to" its [[Ask price|asking price]] of $58 million, making it one of the most expensive New York condo sales of 2019.<ref>{{Cite news |last=Clarke |first=Katherine |date=May 23, 2019 |title=A Billionaires' Row Building Notches Penthouse Sale Despite Legal Woes |language=en-US |work=[[The Wall Street Journal]] |issn=0099-9660 |url=https://www.wsj.com/articles/a-billionaires-row-building-notches-penthouse-sale-despite-legal-woes-11558620074 |access-date=November 9, 2020 |archive-date=November 7, 2020 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20201107033734/https://www.wsj.com/articles/a-billionaires-row-building-notches-penthouse-sale-despite-legal-woes-11558620074 |url-status=live}}</ref> In August 2019, the developers hired [[Newmark Group]] to find tenants for the building's {{convert|50,000|sqft|m2}} of retail space on the building's first four floors and basement.<ref>{{cite news |url=https://betweenthebricks.com/2019/08/06/west-57th-tower-ready-to-welcome-new-retailers-to-billionaires-row/ |title=West 57th tower ready to welcome new retailers to Billionaire's Row |last=Weiss |first=Lois |date=August 6, 2019 |work=Between the Bricks |access-date=November 9, 2020 |archive-date=May 30, 2021 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20210530184219/https://betweenthebricks.com/2019/08/06/west-57th-tower-ready-to-welcome-new-retailers-to-billionaires-row/ |url-status=live}}</ref> One month later, JDS asked lenders for a $1.1 billion loan to replace AIG's $725 million in construction debt.<ref>{{cite news |url=https://www.cmalert.com/search.pl?ARTICLE=185912 |title=Developer Seeks $1.1 Billion for NY Condos |date=September 20, 2019 |work=Commercial Mortgage Alert |access-date=November 9, 2020 |archive-date=August 19, 2020 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20200819132106/https://www.cmalert.com/search.pl?ARTICLE=185912 |url-status=dead}}</ref>▼
▲====Completion====
In 2020, Steinway Hall's landmarked rotunda was restored by John Canning Studios, which mitigated water damage, repaired the ceiling and [[entablature]]s, and cleaned the walls and metalwork.<ref name="Fazzare" /><ref name="Montes 2020" /> The facade and roof of the hall were also restored.<ref name="Davidson 2021" /> That April, the first sale for a unit in Steinway Hall was finalized.<ref>{{Cite press release|author1=JDS Development Group |author2=Property Markets Group |author3=Spruce Capital Partners |date=April 20, 2020 |title=Commencement of First Closings at 111 West 57th Street |url=https://www.prnewswire.com/news-releases/commencement-of-first-closings-at-111-west-57th-street-301043134.html |access-date=November 11, 2020 |website=PR Newswire |archive-date=May 7, 2020 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20200507220400/https://www.prnewswire.com/news-releases/commencement-of-first-closings-at-111-west-57th-street-301043134.html |url-status=live}}</ref> However, construction slowed considerably in early 2020 due to the [[COVID-19 pandemic in New York City]]. This caused the project to fall into danger of missing key construction deadlines and a corresponding decline in sales, and thus face the possibility of having to repay outstanding debt.<ref name="trd20150529" /><ref>{{Cite news |last=Clarke |first=Katherine |date=April 8, 2020 |title=Coronavirus Forces New York Condo Developers Into a Race Against Time |language=en-US |work=[[The Wall Street Journal]] |url=https://www.wsj.com/articles/coronavirus-forces-new-york-condo-developers-into-a-race-against-time-11586358110 |access-date=November 11, 2020 |issn=0099-9660 |archive-date=November 12, 2020 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20201112193822/https://www.wsj.com/articles/coronavirus-forces-new-york-condo-developers-into-a-race-against-time-11586358110 |url-status=live}}</ref> Despite a general decrease in real estate activity due to the pandemic, there were several multi-million-dollar sales at 111 West 57th Street during mid-2020,<ref>{{Cite news |last=Clarke |first=Katherine |date=June 9, 2020 |title=Two Major Deals Offer Hope For Manhattan's Stalled Luxury Condo Market |language=en-US |work=[[The Wall Street Journal]] |url=https://www.wsj.com/articles/two-major-deals-offer-hope-for-manhattans-stalled-luxury-condo-market-11591723859 |access-date=November 11, 2020 |issn=0099-9660 |archive-date=November 16, 2020 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20201116160221/https://www.wsj.com/articles/two-major-deals-offer-hope-for-manhattans-stalled-luxury-condo-market-11591723859 |url-status=live}}</ref><ref name="Gannon2020">{{cite web |last=Gannon |first=Devin |date=September 10, 2020 |title=$66M triplex penthouse at 111 West 57th Street sits 900 feet above Central Park |url=https://www.6sqft.com/66m-triplex-penthouse-at-111-west-57th-street-sits-900-feet-above-central-park/ |access-date=November 11, 2020 |website=6sqft |archive-date=November 12, 2020 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20201112195620/https://www.6sqft.com/66m-triplex-penthouse-at-111-west-57th-street-sits-900-feet-above-central-park/ |url-status=live}}</ref> and a penthouse went into contract for $50 million that December.<ref>{{cite web |date=December 9, 2020 |title=111 West 57th Street Penthouse in Contract for Over $50M |url=https://therealdeal.com/2020/12/09/penthouse-at-111-west-57th-street-fetches-over-50-million/ |access-date=December 30, 2020 |website=The Real Deal New York |archive-date=December 24, 2020 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20201224182216/https://therealdeal.com/2020/12/09/penthouse-at-111-west-57th-street-fetches-over-50-million/ |url-status=live}}</ref><ref>{{cite web |last=Gannon |first=Devin |date=December 9, 2020 |title=$57M penthouse at 111 West 57th Street joins list of NYC's priciest pandemic sales |url=https://www.6sqft.com/57m-penthouse-at-111-west-57th-street-joins-list-of-nycs-priciest-pandemic-sales/ |access-date=December 30, 2020 |website=6sqft |archive-date=December 19, 2020 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20201219103455/https://www.6sqft.com/57m-penthouse-at-111-west-57th-street-joins-list-of-nycs-priciest-pandemic-sales/ |url-status=live}}</ref> The facade of the tower was being completed by September 2020.<ref name="nyyimby20200916" />▼
▲The building's concrete form topped out during April 2019,<ref>{{cite news |url=https://www.newyorkyimby.com/2019/04/111-west-57th-streets-super-slender-concrete-formwork-officially-tops-out-atop-billionaires-row-in-midtown.html |title=111 West 57th Street's Super-Slender Concrete Formwork Officially Tops Out Atop Billionaires' Row, In Midtown |work=New York YIMBY |last=Young |first=Michael |date=April 29, 2019 |access-date=May 20, 2019 |archive-date=April 26, 2019 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20190426212915/https://newyorkyimby.com/2019/04/111-west-57th-streets-super-slender-concrete-formwork-officially-tops-out-atop-billionaires-row-in-midtown.html |url-status=live}}</ref> and the steel reached the top of the parapet that October.<ref>{{Cite web |last=Fedak |first=Nikolai |date=October 7, 2019 |title=111 West 57th Street's Crowning Steel Officially Reaches 1,428-Foot Rooftop Parapet in Midtown Manhattan |url=https://newyorkyimby.com/2019/10/111-west-57th-streets-crowning-steel-officially-reaches-1428-foot-rooftop-parapet-in-midtown-manhattan.html |access-date=November 11, 2020 |website=New York YIMBY |language=en-US |archive-date=November 22, 2020 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20201122081942/https://newyorkyimby.com/2019/10/111-west-57th-streets-crowning-steel-officially-reaches-1428-foot-rooftop-parapet-in-midtown-manhattan.html |url-status=live|postscript=none}}
[[File:A613, 111 West 57th Street, Manhattan, July 2019.jpg|thumb|upright=0.5|alt=The western elevation of the topped-out building on a sunny day in 2019. The western elevation contains windows between vertical piers of glazed white terracotta and several setbacks toward the roof. A red construction crane is attached to the southern side.|Topped out in 2019; western facade from 57th Street]]
The exterior hoist was being disassembled from the facade by March 2021, as the tower approached completion.<ref>{{cite web |title=111 West 57th Street's Exterior Hoist Disassembled in Midtown, Manhattan |website=New York YIMBY |date=March 30, 2021 |url=https://newyorkyimby.com/2021/03/111-west-57th-streets-exterior-hoist-disassembled-in-midtown-manhattan.html |access-date=April 12, 2021 |archive-date=April 12, 2021 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20210412041312/https://newyorkyimby.com/2021/03/111-west-57th-streets-exterior-hoist-disassembled-in-midtown-manhattan.html |url-status=live}}</ref> In May 2021, [[Todd Morley]] said he would construct the world's largest [[non-fungible token]] museum at 111 West 57th Street.<ref>{{Cite web |last=Herring |first=Sophia |title=The World's Largest NFT Museum Is Coming to New York |url=https://www.architecturaldigest.com/story/the-worlds-largest-nft-museum-is-coming-to-new-york |date=May 27, 2021 |access-date=June 17, 2021 |website=Architectural Digest |language=en-US |archive-date=June 24, 2021 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20210624200802/https://www.architecturaldigest.com/story/the-worlds-largest-nft-museum-is-coming-to-new-york |url-status=live}}</ref><ref>{{Cite web |date=May 25, 2021 |title=Will SHoP's 111 West 57th Street supertall house the world's largest NFT museum? |url=https://www.archpaper.com/2021/05/will-shop-111-west-57th-street-supertall-get-the-worlds-largest-nft-museum/ |access-date=June 17, 2021 |website=The Architect's Newspaper |language=en-US |archive-date=June 1, 2021 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20210601150923/https://www.archpaper.com/2021/05/will-shop-111-west-57th-street-supertall-get-the-worlds-largest-nft-museum/ |url-status=live}}</ref> According to Morley, his [[blockchain]] company Overline would use the top of the building as an antenna.<ref>{{Cite web |date=May 26, 2021 |title=A Financier Plans to Open the 'World's Largest NFT Museum' in a Skyscraper Looming Over Central Park |url=https://news.artnet.com/art-world/nft-museum-111-west-57th-1973184 |access-date=June 17, 2021 |website=Artnet News |language=en-US |archive-date=June 9, 2021 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20210609200216/https://news.artnet.com/art-world/nft-museum-111-west-57th-1973184 |url-status=live}}</ref> [[Corcoran Group]] replaced Douglas Elliman as the building's brokerage in February 2022,<ref>{{Cite web |date=February 2, 2022 |title=Corcoran Taking Over 11 West 57th Street Sales From Elliman |url=https://therealdeal.com/2022/02/02/corcoran-is-taking-over-sales-at-111-west-57th-street/ |access-date=March 22, 2022 |website=The Real Deal New York |language=en-US |archive-date=March 22, 2022 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20220322004050/https://therealdeal.com/2022/02/02/corcoran-is-taking-over-sales-at-111-west-57th-street/ |url-status=live}}</ref> and the podium was being completed by that March.<ref>{{Cite web |date=March 17, 2022 |title=111 West 57th Street's Podium Nears Completion in Midtown, Manhattan |url=https://newyorkyimby.com/2022/03/111-west-57th-streets-podium-nears-completion-in-midtown-manhattan.html |access-date=March 22, 2022 |website=New York YIMBY |language=en-US |archive-date=March 18, 2022 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20220318154802/https://newyorkyimby.com/2022/03/111-west-57th-streets-podium-nears-completion-in-midtown-manhattan.html |url-status=live}}</ref> By the next month, workers had installed the final elements of the facade,<ref>{{cite web |last=Dreith |first=Ben |title=World's skinniest skyscraper by SHoP Architects completes in Manhattan |website=Dezeen |date=April 4, 2022 |url=https://www.dezeen.com/2022/04/04/shop-architects-111-west-57th-street-skinniest-skyscraper-manhattan/ |access-date=April 20, 2022 |archive-date=April 20, 2022 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20220420025733/https://www.dezeen.com/2022/04/04/shop-architects-111-west-57th-street-skinniest-skyscraper-manhattan/ |url-status=live}}</ref> and the first condominium sales were being finalized.<ref>{{Cite web |date=April 8, 2022 |title=Closings Underway for SHoP Architects' 111 West 57th Street in Midtown, Manhattan |url=https://newyorkyimby.com/2022/04/closings-underway-for-shop-architects-111-west-57th-street-in-midtown-manhattan.html |access-date=April 20, 2022 |website=New York YIMBY |language=en-US |archive-date=April 21, 2022 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20220421041650/https://newyorkyimby.com/2022/04/closings-underway-for-shop-architects-111-west-57th-street-in-midtown-manhattan.html |url-status=live}}</ref> By May 2022, nearly half of the condominiums had been sold.<ref>{{Cite web |date=May 13, 2022 |title=Baloghs Buy on Billionaire's Row |url=https://therealdeal.com/2022/05/13/baloghs-find-their-crown-jewel-at-billionaires-row-supertall/ |access-date=May 25, 2022 |website=The Real Deal New York |language=en-US}}</ref> Following slow sales, Apollo Global wrote off part of its mezzanine loan on 111 West 57th Street in August 2023.<ref name="Weiss 2023 z591">{{cite web | last=Weiss | first=Miles | title=Apollo Real Estate Trust Scales Back Expectations on Luxury NYC Tower | website=Bloomberg | date=August 1, 2023 | url=https://www.bloomberg.com/news/articles/2023-08-01/apollo-trust-scales-back-timing-expectations-on-luxury-nyc-tower | access-date=August 24, 2023}}</ref><ref name="The Real Deal 2023 p559">{{cite web | title=Apollo Writes Off Junior Loan at 111 West 57th Street | website=The Real Deal | date=August 2, 2023 | url=https://therealdeal.com/new-york/2023/08/02/apollo-writes-off-junior-loan-at-111-west-57th-street/ | access-date=August 24, 2023}}</ref> A model apartment by Rafael de Cardenas, occupying the entirety of floor 66, was completed the same month.<ref name="Real Estate Weekly 2023 t663" /><ref name="Bertoli 2023 k741">{{cite web |last=Bertoli |first=Rosa |date=August 9, 2023 |title=Rafael de Cárdenas unveils model residence interiors for Manhattan's supertall skyscraper |url=https://www.wallpaper.com/design-interiors/manhattan-supertall-skyscraper-111-west-57th-street-rafael-de-cardenas-residence |access-date=August 24, 2023 |website=Wallpaper}}</ref>▼
▲In 2020, Steinway Hall's landmarked rotunda was restored by John Canning Studios, which mitigated water damage, repaired the ceiling and [[entablature]]s, and cleaned the walls and metalwork.<ref name="Fazzare" /><ref name="Montes 2020" /> The facade and roof of the hall were also restored.<ref name="Davidson 2021" /> That April, the first sale for a unit in Steinway Hall was finalized.<ref>{{Cite press release|author1=JDS Development Group |author2=Property Markets Group |author3=Spruce Capital Partners |date=April 20, 2020 |title=Commencement of First Closings at 111 West 57th Street |url=https://www.prnewswire.com/news-releases/commencement-of-first-closings-at-111-west-57th-street-301043134.html |access-date=November 11, 2020 |website=PR Newswire |archive-date=May 7, 2020 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20200507220400/https://www.prnewswire.com/news-releases/commencement-of-first-closings-at-111-west-57th-street-301043134.html |url-status=live}}</ref> However, construction slowed considerably in early 2020 due to the [[COVID-19 pandemic in New York City]]. This caused the project to fall into danger of missing key construction deadlines and a corresponding decline in sales, and thus face the possibility of having to repay outstanding debt.<ref name="trd20150529" /><ref>{{Cite news |last=Clarke |first=Katherine |date=April 8, 2020 |title=Coronavirus Forces New York Condo Developers Into a Race Against Time |language=en-US |work=[[The Wall Street Journal]] |url=https://www.wsj.com/articles/coronavirus-forces-new-york-condo-developers-into-a-race-against-time-11586358110 |access-date=November 11, 2020 |issn=0099-9660 |archive-date=November 12, 2020 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20201112193822/https://www.wsj.com/articles/coronavirus-forces-new-york-condo-developers-into-a-race-against-time-11586358110 |url-status=live}}</ref> Despite a general decrease in real estate activity due to the pandemic, there were several multi-million-dollar sales at 111 West 57th Street during mid-2020,<ref>{{Cite news |last=Clarke |first=Katherine |date=June 9, 2020 |title=Two Major Deals Offer Hope For Manhattan's Stalled Luxury Condo Market |language=en-US |work=[[The Wall Street Journal]] |url=https://www.wsj.com/articles/two-major-deals-offer-hope-for-manhattans-stalled-luxury-condo-market-11591723859 |access-date=November 11, 2020 |issn=0099-9660 |archive-date=November 16, 2020 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20201116160221/https://www.wsj.com/articles/two-major-deals-offer-hope-for-manhattans-stalled-luxury-condo-market-11591723859 |url-status=live}}</ref><ref name="Gannon2020">{{cite web |last=Gannon |first=Devin |date=September 10, 2020 |title=$66M triplex penthouse at 111 West 57th Street sits 900 feet above Central Park |url=https://www.6sqft.com/66m-triplex-penthouse-at-111-west-57th-street-sits-900-feet-above-central-park/ |access-date=November 11, 2020 |website=6sqft |archive-date=November 12, 2020 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20201112195620/https://www.6sqft.com/66m-triplex-penthouse-at-111-west-57th-street-sits-900-feet-above-central-park/ |url-status=live}}</ref> and a penthouse went into contract for $50 million that December.<ref>{{cite web |date=December 9, 2020 |title=111 West 57th Street Penthouse in Contract for Over $50M |url=https://therealdeal.com/2020/12/09/penthouse-at-111-west-57th-street-fetches-over-50-million/ |access-date=December 30, 2020 |website=The Real Deal New York |archive-date=December 24, 2020 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20201224182216/https://therealdeal.com/2020/12/09/penthouse-at-111-west-57th-street-fetches-over-50-million/ |url-status=live|postscript=none}}
▲
=== Lawsuits<span class="anchor" id="Legal controversies"></span> ===
==== AmBase lawsuits ====
AmBase filed a lawsuit in April 2016, alleging that the developers neglected to account for cost overruns reaching $50 million.<ref name="trd20171101" /> AmBase sought damages of $105 million in relation to the two capital calls in which they did not participate, claiming that these capital calls served mainly to dilute their stake.<ref>{{cite news |last1=Kleimann |first1=James |last2=Mashayekhi |first2=Rey |date=April 29, 2016 |title=JDS, PMG facing $105M lawsuit from 111 West 57th partner |work=The Real Deal |url=https://therealdeal.com/2016/04/29/jds-pmg-facing-105m-lawsuit-from-111w57-partner/ |access-date=May 20, 2019 |archive-date=May 2, 2019 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20190502112039/https://therealdeal.com/2016/04/29/jds-pmg-facing-105m-lawsuit-from-111w57-partner/ |url-status=live}}</ref> AmBase also claimed that Becker and Ruhan did not have their 26 percent stake diluted despite not participating in the capital calls. Since construction costs had allegedly risen by more than 10 percent, AmBase claimed their contract entitled them to full repayment of their $66 million investment along with 20 percent interest.<ref name="crains20170727" /> JDS and PMG countersued in January 2017, alleging that since there had never been an officially approved budget, there was no measure by which to determine cost overruns.<ref>{{cite web |last=Konrad |first=Putzier |date=January 18, 2017 |title=JDS, PMG countersue AmBase over 111 West 57th |url=https://therealdeal.com/2017/01/18/jds-pmg-countersue-ambase-over-111-west-57th/ |access-date=November 11, 2020 |website=The Real Deal New York |archive-date=November 19, 2020 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20201119152540/https://therealdeal.com/2017/01/18/jds-pmg-countersue-ambase-over-111-west-57th/ |url-status=live}}</ref>
Line 187 ⟶ 190:
AmBase refiled the second lawsuit in federal court in early 2018, claiming that Maloney and Stern's alleged collusion with Spruce violated the [[Racketeer Influenced and Corrupt Organizations Act]] and seeking a $136 million judgment.<ref name="trd20181029">{{cite news |last=Brenzel |first=Kathryn |date=October 29, 2018 |title=Stern, Maloney notch huge legal victory in fight over 111 West 57th Street |work=The Real Deal |url=https://therealdeal.com/2018/10/29/stern-maloney-notch-huge-legal-victory-in-fight-over-111-west-57th-street/ |access-date=May 20, 2019 |archive-date=May 29, 2019 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20190529224452/https://therealdeal.com/2018/10/29/stern-maloney-notch-huge-legal-victory-in-fight-over-111-west-57th-street/ |url-status=live}}</ref> At the time, AmBase and founder Richard Bianco faced their own lawsuit from hedge fund IsZo Capital, which claimed the company had purposefully forced the 2017 foreclosure by denying the Baupost Group loan, for Bianco's own benefit.<ref>{{cite news |last=Putzier |first=Konrad |date=April 6, 2018 |title=Hedge fund sues AmBase over 111 West 57th Street investment debacle |work=The Real Deal |url=https://therealdeal.com/2018/04/06/hedge-fund-sues-ambase-over-111-west-57th-street-investment-debacle |access-date=May 20, 2019 |archive-date=April 30, 2019 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20190430074216/https://therealdeal.com/2018/04/06/hedge-fund-sues-ambase-over-111-west-57th-street-investment-debacle/ |url-status=live}}</ref> In October 2018, AmBase's federal lawsuit was dismissed after the court found no evidence of collusion between Maloney, Stern, and Spruce.<ref name="trd20181029" /> After the dismissal of their three previous lawsuits, AmBase again sued Spruce Capital, Maloney, and Stern in May 2019, restating previous allegations of collusion and seeking additional damages for the developers' alleged breach of their [[fiduciary]] duties.<ref>{{cite news |last=Jeans |first=David |date=May 23, 2019 |title=Sour grapes at 111 West 57th: AmBase tries again to reclaim the Manhattan supertall |work=The Real Deal |url=https://therealdeal.com/2019/05/23/sour-grapes-at-111-west-57th-ambase-tries-again-to-reclaim-the-manhattan-supertall/ |access-date=May 29, 2019 |archive-date=May 29, 2019 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20190529222856/https://therealdeal.com/2019/05/23/sour-grapes-at-111-west-57th-ambase-tries-again-to-reclaim-the-manhattan-supertall/ |url-status=live}}</ref> AmBase then appealed to the [[United States Court of Appeals for the Second Circuit]], which declined the appeal in September 2019.<ref>{{cite news |last=Jean |first=David |date=September 3, 2019 |title=Another legal door closes for jilted investor at 111 West 57th Street |work=The Real Deal |url=https://therealdeal.com/2019/09/03/another-legal-door-closes-for-jilted-investor-at-111-west-57th-street/ |access-date=September 12, 2019 |archive-date=September 4, 2019 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20190904223841/https://therealdeal.com/2019/09/03/another-legal-door-closes-for-jilted-investor-at-111-west-57th-street/ |url-status=live}}</ref>
==== Other lawsuits ====
[[File:111 W57 fr W60 2019-12 jeh.jpg|thumb|left|upright|alt=111 West 57th Street as seen in December 2019 from Columbus Circle. There is a construction crane on one side of the building. From left to right, 432 Park Avenue, the sign above the Essex House, One57, and 220 Central Park South can be seen in the background.|Seen in December 2019 from Columbus Circle. From left to right, [[432 Park Avenue]], the sign above the [[JW Marriott Essex House|Essex House]], [[One57]], and [[220 Central Park South]] can be seen in the background.]]
Line 195 ⟶ 198:
===Labor controversies===
The developers intended for the tower to become New York City's tallest building constructed with non-[[labor unions in the United States|union]] labor.<ref>{{cite news |last=Geiger |first=Daniel |date=January 13, 2015 |title=Nonunion West 57th St. spire aims to shatter record |work=Crain's New York |url=https://www.crainsnewyork.com/article/20150114/REAL_ESTATE/301119992/nonunion-west-57th-st-spire-aims-to-shatter-record |access-date=May 20, 2019 |archive-date=December 14, 2019 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20191214194020/https://www.crainsnewyork.com/article/20150114/REAL_ESTATE/301119992/nonunion-west-57th-st-spire-aims-to-shatter-record |url-status=live}}</ref> Non-unionized workers could be paid at cheaper rates and did not have to be paid double overtime, hourly pension fees, and benefit fees.<ref name="politico20150512">{{cite news |last=Hutchins |first=Ryan |date=May 12, 2015 |title=Developer of 'billionaires row' tower on his fight with labor |work=Politico |url=https://www.politico.com/states/new-york/city-hall/story/2015/05/developer-of-billionaires-row-tower-on-his-fight-with-labor-022065 |access-date=May 20, 2019 |archive-date=August 7, 2018 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20180807140610/https://www.politico.com/states/new-york/city-hall/story/2015/05/developer-of-billionaires-row-tower-on-his-fight-with-labor-022065 |url-status=live}}</ref> The decision was condemned by the Building and Construction Trades Council of Greater New York's leader, [[Gary LaBarbera]], who in May 2015 criticized the developers for not using union labor or giving the workers adequate safety training.<ref name="Mazzara 2016" /><ref>{{cite news |last=Moses |first=Claire |date=May 12, 2015 |title=JDS' Michael Stern goes on the defense |publisher=The Real Deal |url=http://therealdeal.com/blog/2015/05/12/jds-michael-stern-goes-on-the-defense/ |access-date=August 16, 2015 |archive-date=September 22, 2015 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20150922012916/http://therealdeal.com/blog/2015/05/12/jds-michael-stern-goes-on-the-defense/ |url-status=live}}</ref> The union detailed multiple incidents that had occurred at the site including "a worker falling from scaffold that lacked a railing, one worker who fell in a partial building collapse and another who had his leg crushed when a steel beam slipped."<ref name="politico20150512" /> Manhattan [[Borough President]] [[Gale Brewer]] sided with LaBarbera, sending Stern a letter expressing concern over the workers' safety, training, and pay.<ref>{{cite news |last=Hutchins |first=Ryan |date=March 24, 2015 |title=Brewer wades into union's fight with luxury developer |work=Politico |url=https://www.politico.com/states/new-york/city-hall/story/2015/03/brewer-wades-into-unions-fight-with-luxury-developer-020742 |access-date=May 20, 2019 |archive-date=May 16, 2020 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20200516071634/https://www.politico.com/states/new-york/city-hall/story/2015/03/brewer-wades-into-unions-fight-with-luxury-developer-020742 |url-status=live|postscript=none}}
[[Cyrus Vance Jr.]], then the [[New York County District Attorney]], indicted subcontractor Parkside Construction in May 2018 for several financial crimes.<ref name="trd20150529" /><ref name="nyt20180516">{{cite web | last=McKinley | first=James C. Jr. |date=May 16, 2018 |title=Laborers on a 'Billionaires' Row' Tower Cheated of Wages, D.A. Says |url=https://www.nytimes.com/2018/05/16/nyregion/steinway-tower-wage-theft-vance.html |access-date=August 6, 2018 |work=[[The New York Times]] |issn=0362-4331 |archive-date=August 6, 2018 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20180806180407/https://www.nytimes.com/2018/05/16/nyregion/steinway-tower-wage-theft-vance.html |url-status=live}}</ref><ref>{{cite web |last=Brenzel |first=Kathryn |date=May 16, 2018 |title=Construction firm working on some of NYC's biggest projects accused of stealing wages, cheating state out of $8M |url=https://therealdeal.com/2018/05/16/construction-company-working-on-111-west-57th-accused-of-stealing-wages-cheating-state-out-of-8m/ |access-date=May 16, 2018 |publisher=[[The Real Deal (magazine)|The Real Deal]] |archive-date=May 16, 2018 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20180516194415/https://therealdeal.com/2018/05/16/construction-company-working-on-111-west-57th-accused-of-stealing-wages-cheating-state-out-of-8m/ |url-status=live}}</ref> The indictment included charges of stealing $1.7 million from 520 workers on the project by purposely shorting their hours and failing to pay them overtime, hiding nearly $42 million in wages from state insurance officials to avoid paying [[workers' compensation]] premiums, and using [[Illegal immigration|undocumented immigrants]] from [[Mexico]] and [[Ecuador]]. The company's owners, Francesco and Salvatore Pugliese, were arrested and charged with grand [[larceny]], [[insurance fraud]] and scheme to defraud. The company's [[construction foreman]], its payroll manager, and an outside accountant were also charged in the scheme.<ref name="nyt20180516" /> Parkside had previously been sued in 2015 in a [[class action|class-action lawsuit]] by former workers on the site, who had alleged widespread [[wage theft]].<ref>{{cite news |last=Smith |first=Greg B. |date=October 14, 2015 |title=Builders of NYC skyscrapers are cheating laborers out of wages: lawsuit |newspaper=New York Daily News |url=https://www.nydailynews.com/new-york/builders-nyc-skyscrapers-wage-cheating-lawsuit-article-1.2396337 |access-date=May 20, 2019 |archive-date=July 15, 2018 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20180715192514/http://www.nydailynews.com/new-york/builders-nyc-skyscrapers-wage-cheating-lawsuit-article-1.2396337 |url-status=live}}</ref> In February 2021, the Pugliese brothers pleaded guilty to insurance fraud and were forced to pay the insurance fund $1.4 million in exchange for a [[conditional discharge]]. The brothers did not receive a prison sentence, nor were they forced to give restitution to their employees.<ref>{{Cite web |title=Concrete Contractors Avoid Jail After Multimillion-Dollar Wage Fraud |url=https://www.laborpress.org/concrete-contractors-avoid-jail-after-multimillion-dollar-wage-fraud/ |access-date=November 7, 2022 |website=LaborPress}}</ref>
=== Safety incidents ===
On January 21, 2019, a suspended [[scaffold]] attached to the building broke free from the exterior of floor 55 and showered pieces of broken glass from cracked windows over nearby sidewalks due to high winds. The New York City Buildings Department initiated a partial stop work order, and issued the site a violation for failure to safeguard construction equipment.<ref>{{cite web |last=Spivack |first=Caroline |date=January 22, 2019 |title=Scaffold breaks free, damages windows at Midtown supertall |url=https://ny.curbed.com/2019/1/22/18192716/111-west-57th-street-construction-midtown-supertall |access-date=January 22, 2019 |publisher=Curbed NY |archive-date=January 23, 2019 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20190123010617/https://ny.curbed.com/2019/1/22/18192716/111-west-57th-street-construction-midtown-supertall |url-status=live}}</ref> A year later, in January 2020, a terracotta block fell from the tower, denting the roof of a passing taxi.<ref name="nbc20201029">{{cite web |date=October 29, 2020 |title=Spinning Crane at NYC High-Rise, Falling Debris Prompt Street Closures; No Injuries |url=https://www.nbcnewyork.com/news/local/strong-winds-leave-crane-dangling-at-midtown-skyscraper-4-blocks-shut-down/2695049/ |access-date=November 11, 2020 |website=NBC New York |archive-date=November 6, 2020 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20201106055409/https://www.nbcnewyork.com/news/local/strong-winds-leave-crane-dangling-at-midtown-skyscraper-4-blocks-shut-down/2695049/ |url-status=live}}</ref> Another high wind on October 29, 2020, knocked the tower's construction crane loose, causing debris to fall. While the crane was quickly secured and no one was injured, the surrounding neighborhood was closed off for several hours.<ref name="nbc20201029" /><ref>{{Cite web |date=October 29, 2020 |title=Debris Raining Down on Billionaires Row After Another Crane Accident |url=https://commercialobserver.com/2020/10/debris-falling-from-111-west-57th-street-after-another-crane-accident/ |access-date=November 11, 2020 |website=Commercial Observer |language=en-US |archive-date=November 1, 2020 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20201101221828/https://commercialobserver.com/2020/10/debris-falling-from-111-west-57th-street-after-another-crane-accident/ |url-status=live|postscript=none}}
In February 2022, a slab of ice was suspected to have fallen from 111 West 57th Street, damaging a car on the ground and injuring its driver.<ref name="Sanderson 2022">{{cite web |last=Sanderson |first=Bill |title=Woman hurt by falling ice on NYC Billionaires' Row says she feared for her life – city probes 'frightening' incident |website=New York Daily News |date=February 27, 2022 |url=https://www.nydailynews.com/new-york/ny-billionaires-row-falling-ice-midtown-manhattan-20220227-hqtg5qtkmjbe7k2wiskinhim3a-story.html |access-date=March 8, 2022 |archive-date=March 7, 2022 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20220307231752/https://www.nydailynews.com/new-york/ny-billionaires-row-falling-ice-midtown-manhattan-20220227-hqtg5qtkmjbe7k2wiskinhim3a-story.html |url-status=live}}</ref><ref>{{cite web |last=Bahadursingh |first=Nathaniel |title=Passersby injured by falling ice from Billionaires' Row supertall |website=Archinect |date=February 27, 2022 |url=https://archinect.com/news/article/150300413/passersby-injured-by-falling-ice-from-billionaires-row-supertall |access-date=March 8, 2022 |archive-date=March 8, 2022 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20220308143019/https://archinect.com/news/article/150300413/passersby-injured-by-falling-ice-from-billionaires-row-supertall |url-status=live}}</ref> The Department of Buildings fined the building's owners after that incident.<ref name="Sanderson 2022" />
==Reception==
Writing for [[Vanity Fair (magazine)|''Vanity Fair'']], architectural critic [[Paul Goldberger]] referred to the plans for the tower as "quite possibly the most elegant" of Billionaires' Row's structures. Goldberger described it as "a subtle and graceful re-interpretation in modern form of the stepped-back, "[[Wedding-cake style|wedding cake]]" towers of New York's past".<ref name="Vanity Fair" /> C. J. Hughes of ''The New York Times'' said that the tower rejected "the crystalline look so popular with new developments in the neighborhood".<ref name="nyt20180906" /> Architectural critic Carter Horsley wrote that the tower was "a very original design by SHoP" and that it "definitely has a feminine character" with its crown resembling a tiara.<ref>{{cite web |last=Horsley |first=Carter |title=111 West 57th Street |url=https://www.cityrealty.com/nyc/midtown-west/111-west-57th-street/55221 |access-date=November 11, 2020 |website=CityRealty |archive-date=November 4, 2020 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20201104213052/https://www.cityrealty.com/nyc/midtown-west/111-west-57th-street/55221 |url-status=live}}</ref> [[Skyscraper Museum]] founder [[Carol Willis (architectural historian)|Carol Willis]] was optimistic that several Billionaires' Row buildings would become [[New York City designated landmark]]s in the 2050s, saying: "I have no doubt that some—such as 432 Park Avenue and 111 W 57 Street—will be designated as superior examples of the iconic forms characteristic of New York of the 2010s."<ref name="Bosker 2022">{{cite web | last=Bosker | first=Bianca | title=How Tall Is Too Tall? | website=The Atlantic | date=December 17, 2022 | url=https://www.theatlantic.com/magazine/archive/2023/01/supertall-mega-skyscraper-building-nyc/672228/ | access-date=December 22, 2022}}</ref> [[Bianca Bosker]] of ''[[The Atlantic]]'' called 111 West 57th Street "a luxury condominium resembling the love child of a [[Black & Decker DustBuster|dustbuster]] and a [[Gillette Mach3|Mach3 razor]]".<ref name="Bosker 2022" />
Some critics also wrote about the building's slenderness ratio. [[Justin Davidson]] of ''[[New York (magazine)|New York]]'' magazine wrote: "No tower will be the last, biggest, or tallest for long, but this one might be the best."<ref name="Davidson 2021" /> A writer for ''The Wall Street Journal'' in 2021 said: "These are not the proportions of a classical column but of a coffee stirrer."<ref>{{Cite news |last=Lewis |first=Michael J. |date=September 9, 2021 |title=How 9/11 Changed Architecture |language=en-US |work=[[The Wall Street Journal]] |url=https://www.wsj.com/articles/9-11-world-trade-center-skyscrapers-distributed-antenna-system-das-federal-emergency-management-agency-fema-11631225002 |access-date=September 25, 2021 |issn=0099-9660 |archive-date=September 25, 2021 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20210925031440/https://www.wsj.com/articles/9-11-world-trade-center-skyscrapers-distributed-antenna-system-das-federal-emergency-management-agency-fema-11631225002 |url-status=live}}</ref>
The construction of 111 West 57th Street also garnered some criticism.<ref name="nyt20180906" /> In 2015, when the tower was still in development, a neighborhood group protested the fact that the Steinway Tower and other Billionaires' Row towers would cast long shadows over Central Park.<ref>{{Cite web |date=November 11, 2015 |title=Shadows cast by super-tall towers in Manhattan spark a protest |url=https://www.dezeen.com/2015/11/11/supertall-skinny-skyscrapers-towers-manhattan-new-york-shop-architects-robert-stern-rafaely-vinoly-jean-nouvel-portzamparc-controversy-protest/ |access-date=May 30, 2021 |website=Dezeen |language=en |archive-date=June 2, 2021 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20210602221604/https://www.dezeen.com/2015/11/11/supertall-skinny-skyscrapers-towers-manhattan-new-york-shop-architects-robert-stern-rafaely-vinoly-jean-nouvel-portzamparc-controversy-protest/ |url-status=live}}</ref> When the building was nearly complete, in 2019, a writer for ''Business Insider'' visited one of the condominium units, saying: "I can't say that my tour of its first condo felt too different from another Billionaires' Row apartment I've visited."<ref name="Warren 2020" /> [[Edwin Heathcote]] of the ''[[Financial Times]]'' described the new residential skyscraper as a "skinnyscraper" that was the "purest illustration of architecture as an expression of surplus capital".<ref name="Heathcote2022" /> Heathcote lamented that its purpose—rather than being a bustling city unto itself that would unite people, as was the goal for skyscrapers built in the 1920s and 1930s—was the "exclusion of 99.99 per cent".<ref name="Heathcote2022">{{Cite news |last=Heathcote |first=Edwin |date=May 6, 2022 |title=Too rich and too thin? Welcome to Manhattan's newest 'skinnyscraper' |work=Financial Times |url=https://www.ft.com/content/7e149591-036c-412d-bd1e-8d483af3d990 |access-date=May 7, 2022}}</ref>
== See also ==
Line 242 ⟶ 245:
{{Midtown North, Manhattan}}
{{Supertall skyscrapers |state=collapsed}}
{{Portal bar|Architecture|New York City}}
{{DEFAULTSORT:111 West 57th Street}}
[[Category:
[[Category:2022 establishments in New York City]]
[[Category:2020s architecture in the United States]]
[[Category:Commercial buildings in Manhattan]]
[[Category:Commercial buildings completed in 1925]]
[[Category:Condominiums and housing cooperatives in Manhattan]]
[[Category:Midtown Manhattan]]
[[Category:Pencil towers in New York City]]
[[Category:Residential buildings completed in
[[Category:Residential condominiums in New York City]]
[[Category:Residential skyscrapers in Manhattan]]
[[Category:Skyscrapers on 57th Street (Manhattan)]]
[[Category:Mausoleum at Halicarnassus]]
[[Category:Warren and Wetmore buildings]]
| |||