James M. Russell calls a proposed office tower to be built across from the new Penn Station "2.83 million square feet of blight." What makes a skyscraper blight?
The tower, proposed at 15 Penn Plaza, would be 1,200 ft tall, approximately the same height as the Empire State Building. Russell believes the building will "cast a pall over surrounding streets already shortchanged on light and air."
In exchange for the city's allowance for more square footage, Vonage Realty Trust (the developers) will be obliged to make transit improvements like better subway stairs. Russell says the missing component is a plaza.
The building is designed by architect Rafael Pelli.
Read the full story: Behemoth Tower Packs 2.83 Million Square Feet of Blight
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