World’s Tallest Residential Building Under Construction

Construction is currently reaching over 600 feet on the 432 Park Avenue residential building in New York.  Once the 1,396-foot, 89-story structure is completed it will be the tallest residential building in the world and the third largest tower in the United States.  The building will actually be taller than One World Trade Center if the height of each building were only measured from the ground to their roof.  Developer CIM Group bought the Drake Hotel in 2006 for $440 million and demolished it to begin construction on the tower.  Rafael Vinoly from SLCE Architects designed the building, and WSP Cantor Seinuk provided the structural engineering services for the project.  Construction began in September 2011 and will finish in mid-2015.  Residents will begin moving in sometime in late 2015 or early 2016.  No details have emerged about the cost of the project.

432 Park Avenue is built with a 30ft by 30ft concrete core with 30in thick reinforced walls.  The building core will house six elevators, stairs, and all of the building's mechanical services according to Silvan Marcus, CEO of WSP Cantor Seinuk.   In addition to the core, the building will have an exterior frame that allows over 30ft of free space for residents between the concrete core and facade.  As a result, residents will have the freedom to turn their unit into a loft if they desire without the frustration of running into any columns or load bearing walls.

The building will have 104 units in total once completed.  These residences are selling for between $20 and $80 million.  432 Park Avenue will have condominiums ranging from a 351-square foot studio to a 6-bedroom penthouse.  Residents will have access to many amenities including an indoor swimming pool, spa and fitness center, private restaurant, and an outdoor dining terrace.  The panoramic views from the building’s 100 square foot windows also draw in prospective buyers.  According to lead interior designer Deborah Burke, “The layout of each 432 Park Avenue residence recalls the grandeur and elegance of Park Avenue’s pre-war apartments.”  Click here to see renderings of the building's interior.

Sources: World Architecture News, Business Insider, HUH Magazine