Building The World's Thinnest Skyscraper | Summary and Q&A

TL;DR

111 West 57th Street is the thinnest skyscraper ever constructed in New York City, with a width to height ratio of 1 to 24, offering luxury apartments and amenities to the super-rich.

Key Insights

• 🗼 Engineers have maximized the value of small sites in New York City by creating slender towers like 111 West 57th Street.
• 🥺 The completion of the super tall 157 in 2014 sparked a development boom, leading to the construction of 111 West 57th Street.
• 🤔 Utilizing a width to height ratio of 1 to 24, 111 West 57th Street became the world's thinnest skyscraper.
• 🫵 The tower incorporates the historic Steinway Hall and offers luxury apartments with stunning views of Central Park.
• 👷 Challenges, including legal disputes and issues on the construction site, led to a doubled construction schedule.
• 🏙️ Developments like 111 West 57th Street are criticized for exacerbating inequality in the city.
• 🦸 With no further developments planned and an economic downturn in 2021, it could be the last super slender skyscraper in New York.

Transcript

synonymous with the skyscraper for more than a century New York City skyline is home to some of the tallest buildings on earth continuously evolving the 21st century has seen engineers maximize value from the small sites left on this desirable Island by creating some staggeringly slender towers but now with a building rising 435 meters from a site ... Read More

Questions & Answers

Q: How did the construction of 157 inspire the development of 111 West 57th Street?

The success of the super tall 157 proved that slender towers could be financially viable, leading to a boom of similar developments in Midtown, including 111 West 57th Street.

Q: How did engineers maximize space in the extremely narrow 111 West 57th Street?

To maximize space, only two elevator shafts serve the residences, with double storey cars that open directly into each apartment. Service elevators share the same shaft.

Q: What challenges did the construction of 111 West 57th Street face?

The construction of 111 West 57th Street faced legal and union disputes, as well as several issues on the building site, resulting in a construction schedule double in length.

Q: What are the criticisms associated with developments like 111 West 57th Street?

Developments like 111 West 57th Street are criticized for driving up inequality, as they cater solely to the super-rich, contrasting with the majority of New Yorkers' living conditions.

Summary & Key Takeaways

• New York City's skyline is famous for its skyscrapers, and the 21st century has seen engineers maximize the value of small sites by creating slender towers.

• The completion of the super tall 157 in 2014 sparked a development boom in Midtown, leading to the construction of 111 West 57th Street.

• 111 West 57th Street is a 435-meter 85-storey tower that incorporates the historic Steinway Hall and offers luxurious apartments with breathtaking views of Central Park.