by Brianna Crandall — November 26, 2014—In an innovative feat of engineering to work around the lack of space to build in New York City, new “land” has been created by the construction of a two-acre concrete platform above railroad tracks leading in and out of New York’s Penn Station. The tracks are located, partially uncovered, 65 feet below grade. Brookfield Property Partners is utilizing post-tension precast segmental bridge technology to build a deck over these tracks, allowing for the construction of a 4.5 billion mixed-use project without disrupting the passage of the trains.
Designed by Field Operations, the architects behind the celebrated High Line, the five-acre Manhattan West campus will include two new premium-grade office towers, a luxury residential tower, a boutique five-star hotel, retail and a two-acre park. Located steps away from the High Line, it also will feature health and fitness facilities, rooftop gardens and multiple restaurants and cafes.
A $200-million redevelopment of the adjacent 450 West 33rd Street office building, to be known as 5 Manhattan West, will modernize and fully integrate the 44-year-old, 1.8-million-square-foot building. Per architectural firm REX’ s sustainable redevelopment plan, the exterior will gain new retail storefronts and a new pleated glass façade, creating floor-to-ceiling windows on every floor and maximizing daylight penetration while reducing solar gain through geometric “self-shading.” The interior program includes a redesigned lobby, upgraded and expanded elevators, and enhanced heating/ventilation/air-conditioning (HVAC) and other mechanical systems.
The Manhattan West project is designed to feature “stunning” views of the city and the Hudson River. It is located one block west of Penn Station and across the street from the new Moynihan Station. The project’s open area will feature an arts and events space and will ultimately create a pedestrian-friendly public park for future office tenants, visitors and residents of Manhattan West.
A team led by Bruce Mosler and Josh Kuriloff of Cushman & Wakefield is the exclusive leasing agent for office space at Manhattan West, including 450 West 33rd Street.
