NEW YORK CITY — An iconic landmark is in the making in Manhattan. Construction is under way on 50 United Nations Plaza, a luxury 44-story condominium tower designed by famed architect Foster + Partners and developed by Zeckendorf Development and its partner Global Holdings Inc.
The residential skyscraper, which will be located adjacent to Dag Hammarskjold Plaza at First Avenue and 46th Street and across from the United Nations headquarters, is scheduled for completion in late 2014 at a cost of $500 million.
Featuring 87 units with expansive interior layouts, 50 United Nations Plaza will include “spectacular views” of the UN Secretariat building, the East River, the Chrysler Building and the New York City skyline, according to the developers.
William L. Zeckendorf, co-chairman of New York-based Zeckendorf Development, says that 50 United Nations Plaza is destined to become an international landmark due to its modern architecture and renowned location.
“This neighborhood is of great personal significance to my brother Arthur and I, as our maternal grandfather, Trygve Lie, was the first UN Secretary General, and our paternal grandfather assembled the land upon which the UN Secretariat building now stands,” he points out.
Zeckendorf Development has a long history of developing high-end properties including Fifteen Central Park West, a luxury residential development, and 18 Gramercy Park, a newly designed modern classic that evokes the luxury and grandeur of New York’s finest cooperative landmarks.
Global Holdings specializes in large-scale commercial real estate and the development of high-end residential buildings, in particular Fifteen Central Park West and 18 Gramercy Park South with Zeckendorf Development.
Among Global Holdings’ many projects are investments in several properties in Manhattan and a controlling share in Miller Global Properties, a fund that focuses on real estate investments in North America and Europe.
Distinct features
Every residence at 50 United Nations Plaza will include floor-to-ceiling bay windows. Interiors will be luxurious and classically laid out, with generous space for entertaining.
One-bedroom units will be as large as 1,100 square feet, two bedrooms will range from 1,600 square feet to more than 2,600 square feet, and three-bedroom units will start at 3,000 square feet. Full-floor homes will span approximately 6,000 square feet.
In addition, a two-floor penthouse will include nearly 10,000 square feet. Ceiling heights for all residences will range from 10 feet to 16 feet. The penthouse features an infinity pool, dramatically cut from the top level of the building.
A private motor court and garden will lead to a lobby, and a residents-only garage with 87 parking spaces — one for each residence. In addition, there will be approximately 5,000 square feet of retail and restaurant space on First Avenue.
Lush landscaping will encircle the tower, set within the wider context of the UN Sculpture Garden and surrounding parks including Dag Hammarskjold Plaza. Inside the building, granite, red marble flooring and rich mahogany walls will complement the warm color palette of the grand lobby.
An open fireplace will be located to the rear, with a full-height water feature that divides the space. A luxury spa within the building will incorporate a large exercise pool for residents.
Ambitious undertaking
The project is the first residential tower in the United States designed by Foster + Partners. Norman Foster, chairman and founder of the London-based company, says that the slender proportion of 50 United Nations Plaza is attenuated by the vertical stacks of bay windows, which give it a distinctive identity.
“From the apartments within, these bays offer spectacular views of the East River and Manhattan’s skyline,” explains Foster. “The polished stainless steel detailing of the façade is in the spirit of earlier historic towers in the city, and it reflects the sharp quality of light, which is special to New York.”
Eyal Ofer, chairman of Global Holdings, adds that “50 United Nations Plaza will attract considerable interest from buyers who recognize there is no other opportunity in New York City to own a home created by one of today’s great architects.”
During the Nov. 14 groundbreaking ceremony, Zeckendorf Development and Global Holdings announced a donation of $100,000 to support Friends of Dag Hammarskjold Plaza, a nonprofit community organization whose mission is the beautification, preservation and public programming of the plaza.
These funds will be used to engage a professional landscape architect to create a plan to beautify the boundary between 50 United Nations Plaza and Dag Hammarskjold Plaza. The landscape architect will also be tasked with designing a prestigious entrance to the plaza’s Katharine Hepburn Garden.
— Matt Valley