It seems counterintuitive to do an issue on tall buildings when so many tall buildings in cities across the U.S. are currently plagued with too much empty office space (despite a recent leasing uptick, particularly in New York). Why would we need more of them? And those pencil towers for luxury residences that make up places like Billionaires’ Row at the southern end of Central Park in Manhattan need to be seen as a special case, functioning more as bank vaults than apartments. They mostly sit empty as well. Who wants more of those?
But, as Norman Foster said in January at the launch of a master’s program his institute has created with the Universidad Autónoma de Madrid, “Cities really are our future. By 2050, 90 percent of the global population will be living in cities.” And if Norman Foster said it, it must be true. The architect’s talking skills were part of what convinced David Levinson, chairman and CEO of L&L Holdings, to hand over a reported billion-dollar commission for a 47-story office tower on Manhattan’s Park Avenue to Lord Foster of Thames Bank.
You have 0 complimentary articles remaining.
Unlimited access + premium benefits for as low as $1.99/month.