Zeckendorf Development with Global Holdings today (Wednesday) announced 50 United Nations Plaza, the first residential tower in the United States designed by Foster + Partners, at a ground raising ceremony in Dag Hammarskjold Plaza.
Occupying a site across from the United Nations Headquarters, the 44-story condominium will feature 87 apartments with expansive interior layouts and views of the UN Secretariat building, the East River, the Chrysler Building and the New York skyline.
“50 United Nations Plaza is destined to become an international landmark, defined by its modern architecture and renowned location,” stated William L. Zeckendorf, co-chairman of Zeckendorf Development. “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.”
Located adjacent to Dag Hammarskjold Plaza at First Avenue and 46th Street, 50 United Nations Plaza is scheduled to be completed in late 2014. Residences will range in size from one-bedroom apartments up to 1,100 s/f, two bedrooms from 1,600 to more than 2,600 s/f of space, three bedrooms from 3,000 s/f, and full-floor homes of approximately 6,000s/f, as well as a two-floor penthouse with close to 10,000 s/f of space and a rooftop infinity pool. Ceiling heights for all residences range from 10 feet up to 16 feet.
A private motor court and garden leads to a discreet lobby, and a residents only garage with 87 parking spaces – one for each residence. In addition, there will be approximately 5,000 s/f of retail and restaurant space on First Avenue.
“We are thrilled to again partner with Zeckendorf Development on creating another premier New York City residential condominium,” stated Eyal Ofer, chairman of Global Holdings. “With a location facing one of the most famous and important buildings in the world, 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 ground raising 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.
“The collaboration between Norman Foster, Zeckendorf Development and Global Holdings will set new standards for luxury living and create one of the most memorable residential buildings in the world, which will fit securely and independently among New York’s iconic towers,” stated Arthur W. Zeckendorf, co-chairman of Zeckendorf Development.
The exterior of 50 United Nations Plaza is characterized by deep bay windows which are unified by a horizontal grid of stainless steel tubes that wrap around the building. Reflective panels, which run vertically between each of the faceted bays.
According to Norman Foster, chairman and founder of Foster + Partners, “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. 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. The building has a strong environmental agenda combining measures to reduce energy consumption with the use of recycled materials.”
A bracelet of planting encircles the tower, set within the wider context of the UN Sculpture Garden and surrounding parks including Dag Hammarskjold Plaza. Inside, the lobby has open fireplac and a full-height water feature. A luxury spa will also be located within the building.
