Work In Progress: Sir David Adjaye’s Firm Takes On This Manhattan Tower
The in-progress architectural addition to the Manhattan skyline is the result of collaboration between Lightstone, the US’s largest and most diversified privately held real estate company, and architecture firm Adjaye Associates
In many ways, Manhattan is the ultimate cosmopolitan cityscape – it is dense and multi-layered, with a strong sense of history that somehow combines with a bold forward momentum,” says British-Ghanaian architect Sir David Adjaye, founder of leading global firm Adjaye Associates.
Known for eclectic materials and palettes with diverse cultural references, his latest project in collaboration with Lightstone – and his first condominium tower – comes to one of the city’s oldest streets. “130 William sits in Lower Manhattan, which is home to some of New York’s first skyscrapers, which were characterised by incredible stone masonry craftsmanship.” Featuring 244 residences over 66 storeys, the luxury building pays homage to Manhattan’s heritage through its details. Avoiding contemporary glass fronts, 130 Wiliam’s textured hand-cast concrete with bronze façade references historical architectures, with large signature arches drawing from mercantile structures that populated the area.
“There have been some very good models in recent years of infrastructural and architectural projects that articulate a highly specific sense of place and history – the High Line is a great example,” Adjaye explains. 130 William pulls from as much as it gives back to its environment. “130 William, which draws from the historical origins of the skyscraper while recalibrating with contemporary technologies and organisations, is a part of this trajectory.” Conceived as a vertical micro-city, 130 William is a continuation of Adjaye’s ongoing exploration into how to “recast and evolve existing typologies to reflect the realities of the 21st century, whether private residences or public institutions.”
Rethinking the possibilities of vertical living, the tower begins with the public landscaped plaza park and continues upwards with naturally lit fitness and leisure spaces. “New technologies have now allowed us to open up previously unavailable exterior space that celebrates the verticality of the building and offers a new model of high-rise living,” adds Adjaye.
In consideration of the urban context and the internal community of the building, it was critical to create a “dynamic interplay between engagement with and retreat from the city,” notes Adjaye. This includes the rooftop observatory deck nearly 244 metres in the sky, or the aforementioned plaza, which offers a transitional space between exterior street and interior home. “Additionally, the residences have large arched windows that frame views across the city, while upper floor apartments have expansive outdoor loggias,” he says. “This ensures the city is always present and that there is a fluidity of moving between these public and private conditions.”
Inside, special attention has been put towards amenities for the studio to five-bedroom homes, including a health club, spa, swimming and plunge pools, massage rooms, yoga studio, basketball court, IMAX movie theatre, golf simulator, lounge club, game room, chef’s catering kitchen with private dining, playrooms and a pet spa. With construction underway in the Meatpacking District, sales are due to begin this spring with initial closings anticipated for spring 2020.