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Álvaro Siza’s first U.S. building completes in New York City

2022-06-01T20:16:00-04:00

New photos have been released of Álvaro Siza’s completed 611 West 56th Street, the Pritzker Prize-winning architect’s first designed building in the United States.

The 35-story luxury condo tower in Manhattan’s Hell’s Kitchen neighborhood stands 450 feet tall and consists of 77 residences. The project was jointly developed by Sumaida + Khurana and LENY.

Photo: João Morgado

The monolithic tower is wrapped in Perla Bianca limestone, which is accentuated by a subtle tiling pattern throughout the façade.

New York City-based practice Gabellini Sheppard Associates designed the building’s interiors.

Photo: João Morgado

In a 2019 NYT interview, the (then) 86-year-old Siza shared his response to winning the commission for 611 W 56th Street. "I didn’t expect to have the opportunity to build in Manhattan. Now, at my age, I thought I had lost the opportunity. I w...

New photos of Álvaro Siza's first U.S. building in NYC

2019-12-10T15:00:00-05:00

Archinect has received new photos of 611 West 56th Street, the first state-side building by Portuguese architect and 1992 Pritzker Prize winner, Álvaro Siza.

Currently under construction in Manhattan, the 37-story luxury condo tower is being jointly developed by Sumaida + Khurana (the group behind Tadao Ando's first New York City project at 152 Elizabeth Street) and LENY.

Photo: João Morgado

In a recent NYT interview, the 86-year-old Siza shared his response to winning this commission. "I didn’t expect to have the opportunity to build in Manhattan. Now, at my age, I thought I had lost the opportunity. I was very happy to be invited and thought, 'Well, let’s see if I still have energy for this project.'"

Photo: João Morgado

"Located at 823 11th Avenue at the corner of 56th Street in New York’s Hell’s Kitchen neighborhood, 611 West 56th Street measures 172,000 SF, over 450 feet tall and to be 37 stories," explai...

Álvaro Siza on realizing his first U.S. building at 86

2019-08-30T18:43:00-04:00

“I didn’t expect to have the opportunity to build in Manhattan,” said Mr. Siza, 86. “Now, at my age, I thought I had lost the opportunity. I was very happy to be invited and thought, ‘Well, let’s see if I still have energy for this project.’”

The NYT writes about the first project opportunity in the United States for and by Portuguese master architect, and 1992 Pritzker Prize winner, Álvaro Siza.

The slick 37-story residential tower at 611 West 56th Street is a joint venture between Sumaida + Khurana (the developers that also realized Tadao Ando's first New York City project at 152 Elizabeth Street) and LENY.

New renderings for Pritzker Prize winner Álvaro Siza’s first U.S. building in Hell’s Kitchen

2019-04-10T19:55:00-04:00

New renderings of Pritzker Prize-winning architect Álvaro Siza’s first United States building was revealed this week, stirring up interest before the Hell’s Kitchen tower launches sales this fall. Currently under construction just off 11th Avenue, 611 West 56th Street will reach 35 stories and contain 80 condo units, ranging from one- to three-bedrooms, and penthouses. In addition to the fresh images of the limestone tower, developers Sumaida + Khurana and LENY also released a teaser website for the project.

Courtesy of the Boundary

Sandwiched between Hudson Yards and the Upper West Side, the building sits on a corner of Manhattan’s west side currently transitioning from auto body shops and manufacturing structures to luxury residential buildings.

The design reflects Siza’s modernist style, with a simple shape, stone facade, and rectangular wrapping windows. As CityRealty reported earlier this year, the building features a large setback on the eighth floor that gives way to a more sl...

Álvaro Siza finally lands in the US, by way of Hell's Kitchen

2015-06-19T18:28:00-04:00

Pritzker Prize-winner Álvaro Siza has been selected to design an "ultra-luxury condominium" in Manhattan, his first U.S. project. Deemed 611 West 56th Street by developers Sumaida + Khurana and LENY, the structure will rise 35-storeys in New York's Hell's Kitchen, enough for approximately 80 residences. Collaborating architects include Michael Gabellini and Kimberly Sheppard, with SLCE Architects as the Architect of Record.

Predictable luxe high-rise amenities include a roof garden, private terraces and swimming pools, a spa, fitness center, and entertainment spaces for hosting (you guessed it) private events.

Construction is expected to begin in May 2016, and completed by Fall 2018. At that rate, it'll become part of the skyline before BIG's 2 WTC, which is slated for completion by 2020.

See the project's site below (the building pictured will be demolished):