New Tower Intends to Shine a Light on the High Line

Lee Bey describes the elements that make Gang's Solar Carve Tower, which would be the first New York project for the Chicago-based architect and incorporates the sun's movement in its design, the talk of the town.

"The firm's analyses showed the sliced tower would allow 200 more hours of sunlight per year to fall on the High Line," says Bey. "But because of its unusual shape, which aims to bring light and air to the raised park instead of just the streets below, the architect and developer are seeking a zoning variance from the city's Board of Standards and Appeals."

"'You want to bring light and air to the street, but zoning hasn't caught up,' to treating the High Line as such, Gang says. 'If we were to build what we were allowed to build, we'd be essentially running [the High Line] into a tunnel,' similar to how the Standard Hotel currently straddles the park."

"Gang says she hopes to have the variance granted by May. 'We're hoping they will recognize how important this is,' she says. The project is tentatively scheduled to be completed by late 2015."