Posted Oct 30, 2015, 9:28 PM
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NYC/NJ/Miami-Dade
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Join Date: Jul 2013
Location: Riverview Estates Fairway (PA)
Posts: 45,845
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Interview With The Developer: Bruce Eichner On 45 East 22nd Street, The Evolution Of The Flatiron, And Continuum’s Future Plans
Quote:
Where is the building at today in terms of construction?
Today they’re pouring the 35th floor.
This is supposed to resemble a champagne flute, correct?
It was described that way because the top of the building is 105 feet wide while the base is only 75 feet wide. But I like the fact that the building has a distinctive top to it. One of the reasons so many tall buildings from the Art Deco period have managed to have legs is the elegance at the top. The buildings themselves are not so interesting, but the tops are pretty elegant.
What part of the building has been the most difficult? The cantilever, the podium, or the top?
From a design perspective, the most difficult part was the base, because the initial concept that Kohn Pedersen Fox came up with was a glass building. And I did not feel that that was appropriate for the Flatiron District. So the entire design process was interrupted by a difference of opinion between client and architect. I said look, I don’t think One Madison fits — I don’t think that’s an appropriate design solution. Now maybe One Madison may have gotten away with it because it faces 23rd Street. But 22nd Street is different.
So we spent two months looking through nineteenth century architecture — both in the United States and in Italy — because I wanted something not glass. And that’s how we ultimately came up with their suggestion of granite. And that was the most difficult part of the design process. But it was like a conversion — it’s like people who give up smoking and become zealots.
The architects so liked this, and the attention to detail — they sent a team of two people to China, to acquire and pick each piece of granite, and number it. So I have pictures in my office of the mock-up in China, already assembled and numbered, because the base is also non-linear — all the pieces are irregular. Which I like very much.
What do you think of the comparison to 111 Murray? Is 45 East 22nd a sibling?
That’s a question that I would ask KPF. Because they designed 45 East 22nd Street first, 100%. And then based on the reception they had, the developers at 111 Murray tasked the architects with a similar design. When you’re dealing with 45 East 22nd Street, it gives you more square footage higher up in the building. So how do you copy yourself as an architect without duplicating work?
Louboutin does red heels. He’s got a very distinct brand and it is what it is. If you look by and large at anyone’s collection, as a designer, it’s very difficult for them to get away from who they are. What I will say, is I really like the way 45 East 22nd Street meets the sky — I’d be less happy with how 111 Murray meets the sky. I think towers should have — it’s a very specific challenge in how they evolve at the top.
What’s the relation of One Madison to this project?
Obviously when Related took over the project, they decided not to do what the original developer was going to do, which was a 15-16 story thing by Rem Koolhaas. It was a funky design, but that’s one of the reasons why 45 East 22nd Street is the height that it is. At least part of the air rights for that, they didn’t buy, and I wound up purchasing the air rights from the townhouse that’s immediately adjacent to One Madison, which was going to be part of the Rem Koolhaas design.
One Madison was basically designed ten years ago. I didn’t think it had relevance as far as 45 East 22nd Street. The issue for me with 45 East 22nd was three-fold. One, I had a very narrow site, and how was I going to put something on the site, which is where the cantilever idea came from. The second idea was, who did I want to pick for the architect, how would that translate into the design, and how would I get something at the bottom of the building that fits into the neighborhood — when it’s 2015, and the tower will be glass. And then the third piece had to do with interiors, because the preponderance of what I saw in the market was very contemporary. White kitchens, white floors. I wanted to do something different, I felt that real estate always produces competition, and with competition, you can’t change the location of the product, but you can change the choices. This is, I believe, the only building in the city in which we offer three different colors for floors, and three different kitchen styles.
Do you have buyers who still have no interest in those finishes and want everything done custom?
One of the purchasers who bought three apartments and combined them, asked that the apartment be finished as a “white box.” They hired their own interior designer who wants to do everything. They didn’t want the floors or anything.
How big will the largest penthouse be?
I believe 7,000 square feet.
And it’s already listed?
Neither penthouse is listed.
Could they be combined for the choosy buyer? Look what happened at One Madison!
That would be an apartment of about 15,000 square feet.
Well Rupert Murdoch’s children will probably reproduce at some point. What better way to one-up dad?
Based on the sales at 432 and at One57, you are 100% right.
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http://www.yimbynews.com/2015/10/int...ure-plans.html
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