Here’s some blockbuster news — renderings of a 15-story condo tower coming to 57 Orchard St., right next to the landmark-protected “Pink Building.”
New York Yimby spotted the plans on the website of DXA Studios. The architectural firm confirmed that the project is, in fact, moving forward.
In 2013, Waterbridge Capital and Continental Worsteds bought 57 Orchard St., 59-63 Orchard St. and 319 Grand St. — for $27 million. A year earlier, the Landmarks Preservation Commission designated 319-321 Grand St., a 1886 cast iron building that was home to Ridley & Sons, New York’s largest department store until 1901. It has always been assumed that the new owners would eventually develop 57 Orchard, which is not protected.
Here’s the description from DXA’s website:
LES Tower is a ground-up mixed-use 15 story building that will be a striking addition to the Lower East Side in Manhattan. The stacked massing of the building takes advantage or neighboring air rights to redistribute floor area onto the relatively small lot. The razor-sharp copper-clad facade is a contemporary foil to the turn of the century context, and at night the perforated facade will be a back-lit lantern that will highlight the activity inside.
It should be noted that no changes can be made to the facade of the landmarked building without the approval of the Landmarks Commission. So far, no new buildings department permits have been filed for 57 Orchard St.
