Skyscraper Towering Over Grand Central Approved By City Council

MIDTOWN MANHATTAN, NY — A 1,500-foot-tall skyscraper, public art venue and an expansion of Grand Central Terminal are on their way to Midtown following the City Council's approval of the rezoning at 175 Park Ave.

Wednesday's vote paves the way for the new 1,575-foot-tall building, which will replace the existing Grand Hyatt Hotel: a 295-foot-tall structure just east of Grand Central that was redeveloped and encased in glass by Donald Trump in 1980.

The mixed-use building will include 2.1 million square feet of office space, a 500-room hotel, retail space and elevated terraces hosting public art and events.

Meanwhile, in exchange for the tower's approval, developers RXR and TF Cornerstone are pledging to fund a new 5,328-square-foot transit hall at Grand Central, a new subway entrance at East 42nd Street, and other assorted upgrades along Lexington Avenue.

The project takes advantage of the 2017 Greater East Midtown Rezoning, which allowed developers to build taller in exchange for funding transit improvements.

"This landmark redevelopment deal at 175 Park Avenue will bring new life and energy to East Midtown," Councilmember Keith Powers said in a statement.

Once the 83-story tower is built, Grand Central will be flanked by two skyscrapers — One Vanderbilt, which sits on the opposite side of the terminal, opened to the public last year.

Architects Skidmore, Owings & Merrill plan to highlight the train hall through a pedestrianized terrace connecting to the Park Avenue Viaduct and offering new views of Grand Central, as well as two additional terraces on the terminal's eastern and northern sides.

Related coverage:

• Grand Central May Be Dwarfed By Midtown's Tallest Skyscraper
• Midtown's Grand Hyatt Skyscraper To Include Public Art Venue