Potential Neighbor Threatens Empire State Building's Dominance

A proposed tower that would be just blocks from the Empire State Building in New York City has some historians and property owners on the defensive.

1 minute read

August 27, 2010, 9:00 AM PDT

By Nate Berg


"What irks the former is that the latter would rise to be 1,216 feet, almost as tall as the Empire State Building, and would be just 900 feet away, a little too close for a building that has stood apart in the skyline for its entire 79-year life.

'The question here is: How close is too close to one of New York's iconic landmarks,' Councilman Daniel R. Garodnick said Monday, after a hearing in which the owners of both properties made their cases, in advance of a City Council vote on Wednesday."

The owners of the historic skyscraper are hoping to convince city officials to turn down the proposal -- and any other large buildings within a certain radius.

Thursday, August 26, 2010 in The New York Times

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