City May Revoke Permit For Tallest UWS Tower, Councilmember Says

UPPER WEST SIDE, NY — In a surprise reversal, the city Department of Buildings has issued a notice of intent to revoke permits for the tallest planned development on the Upper West Side, local city councilwoman Helen Rosenthal said.

The DOB found issues with a 150-foot-tall mechanical void space planned for a new 775-foot-tall tower at 50 West 66th Street violates the city zoning resolution, Rosenthal said in a statement. Neighborhood preservationists argued that the excessively tall mechanical space essentially put the building's residential portion on stilts.

Both Rosenthal and Borough President Gale Brewer announced their support for revoking the permit.

"From the beginning, I have opposed the developer’s decision to use a monstrous 160-foot void to boost the number of condos with views—and boost sale prices—while robbing the community of sunlight and air," Brewer said in a statement.

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Developers will have 15 days to address the concerns of the Department of Buildings, Rosenthal said. The local councilmember, who has also opposed tall developments such as 200 Amsterdam Avenue, described the city's notice of intent as a "critical first step" in changing how the Department of Buildings interprets large void spaced in relation to the city's zoning code.

Borough President Brewer said in a statement that she will work with the City Council to have the city's zoning resolution amended so similar buildings to 50 West 66th Street will not be allowed.

The move to revoke building permits is surprising given that the city Department of Buildings ruled in November to favor developers in a zoning challenge filed by neighborhood preservation groups such as Landmark West! and planning consultants at George M. Janes & Associates.

The challenge had the support of Brewer, City Councilmember Helen Rosenthal, State Senator Brad Hoylman and Assembly Member Dick Gottfried, who sent a letter voicing their concerns with Extell's development to Department of Buildings Commissioner Rick Chandler in September.

Extell Development and architecture firm Snøhetta revealed the planned tower in November of 2017. The West 66th Street building will be more than 100 feet taller than 200 Amsterdam Avenue — another building that Upper West Side groups have challenged.

A city Department of Buildings spokesman did not immediately return Patch's request for comment. This article will be updated when the city responds.

Clarification: This article originally stated that the DOB revoked building permits, which was based on a statement made by Borough President Gale Brewer. The city instead filed a notice of intent to revoke permits, which gives developers 15 days to address city concerns.

Rendering by Binyan Studios Courtesy Snøhetta