Zaha Hadid unveils plan for boutique condo development in New York

New York-based developer Related Companies announced that it has commissioned Zaha Hadid Architects to design a boutique condominium adjacent to the High Line at 520 West 28th Street in Chelsea just south of Hudson Yards.

The 11-story residential development will mark Hadid’s first commission in New York City, leaving an indelible mark on the High Line’s architecture map and continuing Related’s storied history of partnering with world-class architects and designers.

“We are proud to partner with Zaha Hadid Architects and to continue Related’s commitment to the very best in urban architecture,” said Jeff Blau, CEO of Related Companies. “This development will be truly unique within the city’s architectural offerings, and will pave the way for future architectural achievements on Manhattan’s west side.”

The development’s bold design captures the richness of the location’s vibrant and historic urban context, where a fascinating interplay between the city and the High Line has created a powerful urban dynamic among the elevated park and surrounding streetscape. The same interplay is seen within the building’s design; a chevron pattern enhances the sculpted exterior, at once separating and merging the two distinct zones. The innovative concept further develops this contextual relationship, giving each residence the highest degree of originality.

“Our design is an integration of volumes that flow into each other and, following a coherent formal language, create the sensibility of the building’s overall ensemble,” explained Zaha Hadid, founder of London-based Zaha Hadid Architects and the first woman to be awarded the Pritzker Architecture Prize. “With an arrangement that reinvents the spatial experience, each residence will have its own distinctive identity, offering multiple perspectives and exciting views of the neighborhood.”

Zaha Hadid, founder of Zaha Hadid Architects (ZHA), is known internationally for her built, theoretical and academic work. Each of her projects builds on over thirty years of exploration and research in the interrelated fields of urbanism, architecture and design. ZHA’s interest lies in the interface between architecture and its context as the practice integrates natural topography and human-made systems, leading to experimentation with new technologies. Such a process often results in unexpected and dynamic architectural forms.

The firm’s previous work at The MAXXI: National Museum of 21st Century Arts in Rome, Italy and the London Aquatics Centre for the 2012 Olympic Games demonstrate ZHA’s exploration of fluid space. Previous seminal buildings such as the Rosenthal Center for Contemporary Art in Cincinnati and the Guangzhou Opera House in China have also been hailed as architecture that transforms our ideas of the future with new spatial concepts and visionary forms.

The 11-story development will feature approximately 37 residences of up to 5,500 square feet, focusing on expansive, gracious layouts with 11-foot ceilings, thoughtful technological integration and state-of-the-art finishes and features. Designed with multiple elevator cores, a majority of the residences will have a private vestibule and entrance that adds to the intimacy of the building.

Residents of 520 West 28th Street can enjoy the High Line while maintaining privacy and exclusivity. The double-height entrance lobby offers glimpses beyond to the residents’ communal spaces and an outdoor garden. The generous terraces and courtyard further enhance the residential experience and a substantial roof terrace, indoor pool and spa, entertainment space and playrooms give even greater opportunities to relax and entertain. These offerings will be part of a rich services and amenities program befitting the discerning luxury buyer to which the property will appeal.

In addition to the enchanting High Line park adjacent to the building, the property will benefit from exciting nearby additions, including Avenues: The World School, and numerous hot new restaurants. The site will also hold an important place within Related’s footprint in this valuable neighborhood – the company is soon launching a new luxury rental property at 30th Street and 10th Avenue as well as the much anticipated Hudson Yards project. This dramatic 26-acre mixed-use development two blocks to the north will include residential, office, retail, parks, open space, culture and entertainment. The first tower, the South Tower, will open in 2015.

As the nation’s preeminent developer of luxury residential properties for more than a quarter century, Related pioneered the concept of commissioning celebrated architects to design residential properties by selecting Robert A.M. Stern to plan his firm’s first luxury condominium, The Chatham. Over the past decade, Related has continued its commitment to world class architecture and design collaborating with distinguished architects and designers, including Skidmore Owings and Merrill, Diller Scofidio + Renfro, Frank Gehry, Yabu Pushelberg, Gwathmey Siegel & Associates, David Rockwell, Marmol Radziner, Adam Tihany and Clodagh. Related’s luxury portfolio has produced stunning and innovative buildings nationwide, redefining sophisticated urban living and placing Related at the vanguard of new urbanism. At Time Warner Center’s One Central Park and The Residences at Mandarin Oriental, Related trademarked Five Star Living®: world-class location, breathtaking views, inspired architecture and design, unrivaled amenities and superior services.

Related is currently developing several notable residential projects in New York City including: 205 East 92nd Street in collaboration with Handel Architects; 456 Washington Street in collaboration with BKSK Architects; 480 Main Street in collaboration with Handel Architects; 500 West 30th Street in collaboration with Robert A.M. Stern Architects; 555 West 30th Street in collaboration with Diller Scofidio + Renfro and Rockwell Group; Hunter’s Point South in collaboration with SHoP Architects; and One Madison. Related is also developing Ocean Avenue South in Santa Monica in collaboration with Moore Ruble Yudell Architects & Planners, Clodagh and Marmol Radziner in Santa Monica; Parcel M in collaboration with Arquitectonica in downtown Los Angeles; 111 West Wacker Drive in Chicago in collaboration with Handel Architects; and 100 Arlington in Boston in collaboration with Elkus Manfredi Architects.

About Related Companies

Related Companies is the most prominent privately-owned real estate firm in the United States. Formed over 40 years ago, Related is a fully-integrated, highly diversified industry leader with experience in virtually every aspect of development, acquisitions, management, finance, marketing and sales. Headquartered in New York City, Related has offices and major developments in Boston, Chicago, Los Angeles, San Francisco, South Florida, Abu Dhabi, Sao Paulo and Shanghai and boasts a team of approximately 2,000 professionals. The Company’s existing portfolio of real estate assets, valued at over $15 billion, is made up of best-in-class mixed-use, residential, retail, office and affordable properties in premier high-barrier-to-entry markets. Related has developed preeminent mixed-use projects such as Time Warner Center in New York and CityPlace in West Palm Beach and is currently developing the 26-acre Hudson Yards project on Manhattan’s west side. Related also manages approximately $3 billion of equity capital on behalf of sovereign wealth funds, public pension plans, multi-managers, endowments, Taft Hartley plans and family offices.

Related also owns Equinox(R) Fitness Clubs, further expanding the company's capabilities into the health and fitness arena and enhancing the value of its properties by incorporating an exclusive, branded amenity into the lifestyle offering, and a partnership interest in Union Square Events, the catering, culture, sports, and events business of Danny Meyer’s Union Square Hospitality Group. For more information about Related Companies please visit www.related.com.

About Zaha Hadid Architects

Zaha Hadid was born in Baghdad, Iraq in 1950. She studied mathematics at the American University of Beirut before moving to London in 1972 to attend the Architectural Association (AA) School where she was awarded the Diploma Prize in 1977. She founded Zaha Hadid Architects in 1979 and completed her first building, the Vitra Fire Station, in Germany in 1993.

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