A new skyscraper is set to rise on Billionaires’ Row! 12 West 57th Street, a project designed by Skidmore, Owings & Merrill (SOM), is poised to become a striking addition to Midtown Manhattan's skyline. This 672-foot-tall residential tower, developed by Stefan Soloviev of Solow Building Co., is currently in the works.
The site, located between Fifth and Sixth Avenues, has seen the completion of demolition work, clearing the way for construction. The old structures, including the steel superstructure of 6 West 57th Street, are gone. Now, the area is an open space, marked only by blue Soloviev fence banners, hinting at the development to come.
The future tower will replace several low- and mid-rise buildings. The absence of activity on the site, coupled with the removal of the sidewalk shed, highlights the space that will soon be filled by this ambitious project.
Looking at the site from West 56th Street, you can see the Solow Building at 9 West 57th Street, built by the same developer in 1970.
But here's where it gets interesting: The design, based on renderings from 2019, showcases a monolithic rectangular structure with a dark glass curtain wall. It also includes a mid-rise annex, which will feature a contrasting facade of white marble and metal paneling. The residential entrance will be on West 57th Street, next to a small pond and sculpture. A two-story retail space will be located to the west. The annex, with a panhandle extension along West 56th Street, will feature the same white paneling, floor-to-ceiling windows, and landscaped setbacks.
And this is the part most people miss... The nearest subway stations are conveniently located. You can catch the F train at the 57th Street station on Sixth Avenue, or the N, R, and W trains at the 5th Avenue–59th Street station.
A construction timeline hasn't been officially released yet.
What do you think? Does this design fit in with the existing architecture of Billionaires' Row? Will this new skyscraper enhance or detract from the area's character? Share your thoughts in the comments!
