The construction of a new luxury residential tower that will surpass the current tallest residential building in the Western Hemisphere in height has prompted New York City to reconsider its policy on megatowers.
The current high-rise champ rises 1,400 feet above Manhattan. The concern is over whether the long shadows skyscrapers cast over Central Park are harmful enough to restrict their height.
Other cities have studied the impact the shadows cast by high-rises have on the public’s enjoyment of public parks. The Washington Post reported that San Francisco, Boston, Washington, D.C., and Toronto also have struggled to find a balance between building taller in an effort to fit more housing into crowded urban spaces with the need for sunlight below.
Though New York’s latest residential skyscrapers are targeted for the wealthy, such rules could impact tens of thousands of affordable housing units in the proposal stage.
Related Stories
Codes and Standards | Jun 10, 2019
Intl. Code Council releases Natural Disaster Preparedness Guide
Provides tips for staying safe during and after a hurricane or severe weather.
Codes and Standards | Jun 7, 2019
Market conditions indicate slower growth in industrial real estate sector
E-commerce, market oversupply, rising interest rates to dampen hot market.
Codes and Standards | Jun 3, 2019
Haskell invests in BLOX, creator of modular-based delivery method
‘Represents important part of Haskell’s future strategy,’ says CEO.
Codes and Standards | Jun 3, 2019
Florida may eliminate certificate of need requirement for new hospitals
Bill could boost specialized facilities.
Codes and Standards | May 31, 2019
RELi 2.0 standard for sustainability, resilience being piloted
Will be open to LEED-registered or -certified projects, with introductory pricing and support.
Codes and Standards | May 31, 2019
Pankow Foundation releases report, tools for embodied carbon impacts
Focus is on MEP and tenant improvements.
Codes and Standards | May 24, 2019
USGBC receives funding for LEED for Cities and Communities Program
Bank of America provides $500,000 grant to certify 15 U.S. cities.
Codes and Standards | May 24, 2019
AIA updates Interiors Contract Documents
Six revised documents available for interior construction projects.
Codes and Standards | May 23, 2019
Northern California casino offers a template for resilient microgrids
Solar power with batteries and backup generators provide weeks of self-reliance.
Codes and Standards | May 23, 2019
Austin creates innovative plan to boost affordable housing
Approach includes loosened zoning, incentives for higher density in lower-cost and mixed-income developments.
