Back in 2015, Foster + Partners' design was shelved for a more favorable by the Bjarke Ingels Group (BIG). At the time, it looked like News Corporation and 21st Century Fox were slated to lease the building but backed out a year later. "Now that BIG’s quirky tower of stacked boxes has no takers, the old Foster design is being 'significantly modified to be more reflective of contemporary needs and taste,'" said developer Larry Silverstein, according to the New York Post.
Foster's initial design didn't fit the needs for the two media giants, which prompted the redesign by BIG, which focused specifically on the needs of these tenants. As tenants fill up the existing towers, Silverstein's next focus will be acquiring tenants for Tower 2, which he's suggested might begin construction without first signing some. But, as the New York Post reports, "if he wants a tenant first, a new Foster design might be just the thing to land one. Foster’s old vision might be too stodgy for today’s market. BIG’s, meanwhile, may be too esoteric."
12 Comments
BIG's scheme is hardly esoteric. It's more like fast food.
You can always depend on the NY Post for brilliant aesthetic criticism. Especially Page Six.
neither plan is anything special. thought can see why the BIG plan was shelved, as the volumes didn’t work structurally or with building systems. It’s supposed functionalism was actually restrictive and not flexible.
Should just give it to Maki, if he’s still alive. It’s too bad the pop media is so design incompetent, there would be more good talent options on the table.
another vote for Maki.... hard to find a better master of the curtain wall now that Pelli has passed.
I hope Foster and BIG have been paid for their work so far. It would be just like a developer to find another hungry firm to "blend" the two schemes and find a way to walk away from the earlier contracts.
wish they would build taller. wasted opportunity
Bjarke Ingels is a fascist collaborator.
BIG = Bjarke Ingels Goebbels going to shill for Bolsonaro! Way to go BIG!!
they’re all standing like they’re afraid their dicks are to small
except the fat guy
His arms aren't long enough to meet in the middle.
Bjarke is what, 5’5” at most? The fawning profiles circa 2012 never mentioned he was a napoleon type
after losing commissions with FoxNews and the DC Reds**ns, Bjarke is signaling he’s ready to be a useful idiot to far right politicians. Perhaps he took the criticism of his 2D design schemes a little too hard.
Block this user
Are you sure you want to block this user and hide all related comments throughout the site?
Archinect
This is your first comment on Archinect. Your comment will be visible once approved.