MJM + A Architects recently unveiled its plans for the construction of Hudson Spire, a 1,800-foot-tall tower that would become the tallest building in North America.
The structure includes approximately 1.2 million sf for high-end retail, office, hotels, and residences in the heart of Hudson Yards, a dynamic new neighborhood and cultural center in development on 10th Avenue from 34th to 40th Street, on the site of what was formerly the West Side Rail Yards.
Hudson Spire would be on a section of the new Hudson Boulevard, overlooking a park-like public space that is the centerpiece of the neighborhood. The building will face the Hudson River and be less than two blocks from the Jacob Javits Convention Center.
Michael J. Macaluso, Principal and Founder of MJM + A Architects, was retained by the property owners and their exclusive real estate broker, Massey Knakal, to come up with a grand design for the building.
“This is a once-in-a-lifetime opportunity that architects dream of,” said Macaluso. “When the senior executives of Massey Knakal, James Nelson and Bob Knakal, and Anthony Volpe of the Rosenthal Group first laid out for us the challenge of creating an 1,800-foot-high mixed-use tower for Hudson Yards, we were both thrilled and inspired. As architects, our job is to interpret the dreams of others. The creative geniuses of our design studio, led by my partner Keith Lucas, came up with a stunning vision of a vibrant glass structure that literally jumps from its bases and soars to the stars.”
Hudson Spire is slated to have 110 stories, offering a unique combination of commercial and residential space. Floors one through five will host upscale restaurants and retailers, on top of which will be 15 stories of office space. Floors 21 through 85 are designated for three separate high-end hotel properties, each with approximately 200 guest rooms, lavish amenities, and event/conference space.
The top 25 floors will be luxury residences, with one or two units per floor, concierge service, private elevators, glass walls on all four sides, and stunning views that extend from the Statue of Liberty to the George Washington Bridge and beyond.
“Hudson Yard represents the last frontier in undeveloped Manhattan property,” said Macaluso, “and Hudson Spire will be right in the middle of this dynamic new neighborhood with all its cultural attractions, entertainment, and river views. And its close proximity to the Javits Center makes it an excellent choice for Fortune 500 executive travelers.”
Superthin skyscraper design
Hudson Spire follows the “super tall / super thin” strategy of other recent luxury high-rise residences, mandated by the space, cost and zoning realities of Manhattan property. Starting at a base width of approximately 100 feet, the edifice will be physically set back as it rises, tapering to just 75 feet in width at the top floors.
The structural challenges of high winds and complex elevator requirements are solved with a hybrid reinforced concrete and steel frame, encased by alternating reflective and non-reflective high powered glass.
“There’s not a lot of façade to work with,” said MJM + A's Lucas, “so we wanted to make it visually interesting. We decided, rather than go with a typical singular surface, let’s do something different and more dynamic. Let’s vary the composition of the glass color and reflective property, with lots of intersecting angles that play off one another, so that sunsets and city views will look different on one face of the building than on the others.”
At 1,800 feet, Hudson Spire will be even taller than the recently-constructed Freedom Tower at the World Trade Center. “Since 9/11, the city has gone through a long healing process. The owners of the property want to create a building that looks forward, not back, that will uplift the city but is unrelated to 9/11,” says Macaluso. “Hudson Spire reflects the dawn of a new age, emphasizing the global character of New York City as a business hub, a tourist destination, and the many foreign residents who now call it home. Hudson Spire will be a welcome addition to the Manhattan skyline, and to the spirit of the city itself.”
Related Stories
| Mar 16, 2012
Temporary fix to CityCenter's Harmon would cost $2 million, contractor says
By contrast, CityCenter half-owner and developer MGM Resorts International determined last year that the Harmon would collapse in a strong quake and can't be fixed in an economical way. It favors implosion at a cost of $30 million.
| Mar 16, 2012
Work on Oxnard, Calif. shopping center resumes after a three-year hiatus
Stalled since 2009, developers of the Collection at RiverPark decided to restart construction on the outdoor mall.
| Mar 16, 2012
Stego embarks on HPD Pilot Program
Vapor barrier manufacturer strives to provide better green choices to designers and builders.
| Mar 16, 2012
Marvin Windows and Doors accepting entries for fourth-annual myMarvin Architect’s Challenge
Architects in U.S. and abroad offered the chance to showcase their very best work.
| Mar 14, 2012
Hearing to decide fate of unfinished Harmon in Las Vegas under way
The testimony began with CityCenter consulting engineer Chukwuma Ekwueme methodically showing photo after photo of parts of the Harmon, where he and his team had chipped away the concrete pillars and beams to examine the steel reinforcing bars inside.
| Mar 14, 2012
Firestone names 2012 Master Contractor Award Winners
Annual award acknowledges industry’s top roofing professionals.
| Mar 14, 2012
Plans for San Francisco's tallest building revamped
The glassy white high-rise would be 60 stories and 1,070 feet tall with an entrance at First and Mission streets.
| Mar 14, 2012
Hyatt joins Thornton Tomasetti as VP in Chicago
A forensic specialist, Hyatt has more than 10 years of experience performing investigations of structural failures throughout the U.S.
| Mar 14, 2012
Tsoi/Kobus and Centerbrook to design Jackson Laboratory facility in Farmington, Conn.
Building will house research into personalized, gene-based cancer screening and treatment.
| Mar 13, 2012
China's high-speed building boom
A 30-story hotel in Changsha went up in two weeks. Some question the safety in that, but the builder defends its methods.