Construction Tops Out On Tallest Building In Upper West Side

UPPER WEST SIDE, NY — A controversial housing project has earned the distinction of being the tallest building in the Upper West Side after a six-year saga of permit struggles and local disputes.

The 70-story condominium now stands at a staggering height of 775 feet, surpassing the 52-story 200 Amsterdam Avenue to become the tallest tower in the neighborhood.

The 775-foot-tall structure, designed by Snøhetta with SLCE Architects as the executive architect and developed by Extell and Tennor Holding, will feature 127 condominium units, starting at $4.6 million.

Earlier this month, Extell Development announced that the building would begin welcoming residents at the end of the year, with more than 50 percent of available residences already sold.

The tower will comprise 127 ultra-luxury homes, ranging from two bedrooms to full floors. It will feature 50,000 square feet of amenity space, including both indoor and outdoor pools, a squash court, full-sized basketball and pickleball courts, a fitness center, a Sky Lounge for entertaining, and a Porte cochere entrance.

Extell’s announcement signifies the resolution of a legal back-and-forth that has surrounded the building since construction commenced in 2018. Extell Development first revealed plans for 50 W. 66th St., located between Columbus Avenue and Central Park West in 2017.

Since plans were released, the tower continued to provoke backlash from local preservation groups and elected officials. Some of the initial challenges against the building were led by preservation groups such as the City Club of New York and Landmark West!, and supported by Upper West Side City Councilmember Helen Rosenthal.

Opponents of the tower have alleged that large mechanical void spaces were strategically positioned in the middle of the tower to serve as a set of stilts for apartment units, enabling developers to command higher prices for the homes.

The City Club sued Extell in 2019 to stop the development, but a state judge ruled that the challenges to the building had to be conducted through the Board of Standards and Appeals.

In January 2020, the Board of Standards and Appeals reviewed the case and denied the appeal against Extell in a 2-2 tie vote, allowing them to continue construction.

Construction is anticipated to be completed in early 2025.