45 East 22nd Builds Foundation, Sales Impressive, Cantilever Too!

(L) Render, KPF (R) One Madison Still Stands Tall

The Pit, 3/2015 (AFB)

While I might not be the first person to suggest a 777' tower on a side street on the border of Gramercy Park and the Flatiron District, the rendering of the flaring tower by Kohn Pedersen Fox at 45 East 22nd Street are impressive, and so are the sales! A quick look at Streeteasy shows that at least 20 of the expected 83 units, ranging in price from $2.5M to $20M, are in contract already in contract. Buyers are not even batting an eyelash at the $3300/sq ft average sale price. Then again, why should they? Every new luxury tower is commanding these prices, and here you have the opportunity to tower over neighbor One Madison, The Met Life Building, Madison Square Park and virtually everything else in sight.

While a foundation has just taken shape, the finished product will feature a "manor house inspired" granite base which will blend with the existing streetscape. The base reminds me of a handle to a very long sword which takes the form of glass protruding skyward. The most interesting feature to this building, in my opinion, is the creative use of cantilever. Unlike numerous cantilevers that simply hang horizontally over neighboring buildings, 45 East 22nd builds gradually larger and larger as you ascend the structure. I find this pleasing to the eye, architecturally intriguing, and less abrasive than the straight horizontal efforts.

Previous Press for 45 East 22nd:
The Curbed Files for 45 East 22nd (Curbed)
Demolition Update (7/2014- NY YIMBY)
Irregular, In a Good Way (The Real Deal)

Previous Cantilevers from A Fine Blog:
The Isis (1/2009)
Linden 78 (8/2008)
Georgica (3/2009)
Brompton (11/2007)
Cooper Square Hotel (11/2009)