The city Planning Commissions has okayed TF Cornerstone’s plan to build the biggest apartment building in Manhattan.
The developer wants to build 950,000 s/f of residential space with 1,189 units of housing, 20 percent of which will be permanently affordable to low-income New Yorkers when tho project is built.
Several low buildings currently occupy the site at 606 West 57th Street, but approval by the full City COuncil could put the project on track to begin next year. “We are pleased that the New York City Planning Commission has approved our plans for a proposed development at 606 West 57th Street. Following today’s vote, we look forward to working with the members of the City Council to build market rate and affordable housing units — along with commercial space – in one of the most up and coming areas of Manhattan,” said a spokesperson for TF Cornerstone.
The development — across the street from the Durst Organization’s pyramid-shaped West57 — would also include 42,000 s/f of commercial or community facility space.
City Planning Commission chairman Carl Weisbrod noted that approving the re-zoning of the site to accommodate the development “substantially increases” the value of the land.
He said that the public should be able to share in the increased value through the provision of affordable housing.
Weisbrod also told the commission that, two weeks ago, after both the hearing and the record was closed, field an ammendment to include hotel use in the rezoned area.
“Since that proposed amendment was filed after our public hearing and after the record was closed, there has been no opportunity for the public to be heard on that issue. Therefore, we were not able to consider this amendment and so have not included it in the final proposal.”
He said the hotel issue can be addressed at the City Council, where the public could be heard.
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