NYC Skyscrapers

[Jolly Blue Giant]

I love skyscrapers and it is a kink of mine, to be able to recognize cities in movies by their skyline. For some reason, the first thing I want to know about a movie I'm watching is, "where are they". I was surprised to discover that the show "Suits" was actually filmed in Toronto, as it sure seemed like NYC (which was implied throughout the series). Of course, with the magic of green screen, NYC backdrops were abundantly used...and license plates on cars/limos were carefully hidden from viewers in street scents...anyway, I digress

NYC has been going through a plethora of skyline changes with the recent opening of the latest super structure, JPMorgan Chase Building at 270 Park Ave




One of the latest skyscrapers being built that has caught my attention, and I'm really excited to see, should be finished in the next couple of years, the foundation already finished. It's called "The Torch" and is expected to become an icon structure in the city, right up there with the Freedom Tower, Empire State Building, Chrysler Building, and Statue of Liberty. The Torch sure beats the "skinny stick" skyscrapers that lack style or beauty, and don't enhance the city skyline...IMHO

[MightyGiants]

It's funny you mentioned this, Ric.  I live in a town where there are some pretty good views of the skyline.  Over the past few years, I have noticed significant differences.  Over the decades, there have been very few major changes outside of the tragic 9/11 and its aftermath changes.  Now, there seem to be a lot more big buildings dominating that skyline.

[Jolly Blue Giant]

It's funny you mentioned this, Ric.  I live in a town where there are some pretty good views of the skyline.  Over the past few years, I have noticed significant differences.  Over the decades, there have been very few major changes outside of the tragic 9/11 and its aftermath changes.  Now, there seem to be a lot more big buildings dominating that skyline.

I think the biggest change has to be Hudson Yards...a development project that didn't even begin until 2012. It's almost mind-numbing to see the sheer scope of buildings and how fast that idea came to fruition, and finished. In less than a decade, a city within a city was born with many skyscrapers and architectural wonders. Hard to believe a project that immense could be done in such a short period of time...considering how long it takes to get a project done in New York with all the politics involved

It's frustrating for me anyway, waiting for The Port Authority and Silverstein to finish the project and get 2WTC going. I'd like to visit the area before I die, and get to see the whole complex finished. It's been a quarter century and these clowns can't get their act together and finish it 

It has always been my position that if they can't agree on a structure, to build a twin of 1WTC as they already have all the architectural drawings and experience to build it, saving untold millions in costs. Then we'd have the "Twin Towers" back, but what the hell do I know

[Jolly Blue Giant]

The newly completed tower at 520 Fifth Ave is pretty stunning, and I like the fact that they kept some classic styling in it by employing arched windows, making it modern, yet elegant with a taste of history in NYC style

[Jolly Blue Giant]

Not yet built, but a skyline changer. 175 Park Ave (Commodore Project) is another engineering marvel. It is approved and should be opening in 2030

[kartanoman]

This is a fantastic thread, for a former North Jersey guy, who grew up within eyeshot of lower Manhattan.

Thank you for these great sights to come, and maybe I'll have to take a flight back east with the family to see these amazing buildings in the not too distant future.

What a new look the city skyline is going to have when they're all completed!

Peace!

[MightyGiants]

For most of my life, you could pick out the Empire State Building and the World Trade Center as the two big buildings that stood out from the rest of the skyline.   Now, it's hard to spot the Empire State Building among the many tall buildings and the downtown is just a cluster of bigger buildings.

[Jolly Blue Giant]

For most of my life, you could pick out the Empire State Building and the World Trade Center as the two big buildings that stood out from the rest of the skyline.   Now, it's hard to spot the Empire State Building among the many tall buildings and the downtown is just a cluster of bigger buildings.

The Empire State Building is...and always will be...iconic and a major part of American history, even if it's buried behind a bunch of behemoths. As for me, I have more concern about the Chrysler building, as I am a Chrysler and Walter P. Chrysler was a distant cousin of mine. For years, every time I took the kids to NYC, I'd say "look kids, there's our family's building"...lol. About the tenth time, they'd respond, "we know Dad, how many times are you going to tell the same story?"...lol It is definitely getting swallowed up, even worse than the Empire State Building. Like the car company Walter P. started, all his accomplishments are slowly becoming extinct   

[Jolly Blue Giant]

Of all the skyscrapers going up, I think nothing will draw more attention than the "Torch". Right now, movies and TV shows like SNL have plenty of shots of the Chrysler Building, drawing attention to where the show is at. I suspect in the future, they will be showing the "Torch" instead...it will be that iconic

But nothing has gone up quicker to change the skyline than the Hudson Yards, and once they rebuild/remodel Penn Station and Madison Square Garden with its relative proximity to Hudson Yards, it's going to change everything...it already has, and they are not through throwing up more buildings with one on the books already and a possibility a towering casino building could also end up there right in front of the cluster of skyscrapers...for which I hope not




Another skyscraper in which construction has started is Tower Verre, that will probably become somewhat iconic in the future as well - ultra modern with a twist on a skinny glass pyramid