Zoning Challenge Filed Against Upper West Side's Tallest Tower

UPPER WEST SIDE, NY — The city Department of Buildings has received a zoning challenge against the Upper West Side's tallest planned development, a department spokesperson confirmed with Patch.

The challenge against Extell Development's planned 775 foot-tall tower 50 W. 66th St. was filed Sept. 9 — the last day of a 45-day window to file challenges against the development — and will be reviewed by the DOB, a department spokesman said.

Planning firm George M. Janes & Associates is behind the challenge, Real Estate Weekly first reported. The challenge argues that a 161-foot-tall mechanical void in the planned skyscraper is larger than needed for its mechanical use, according to the report. The challenge also raises questions about how the large mechanical void may pose a fire hazard.

Groups such as the local block association on West 66th Street and Landmark West! are backing the zoning challenge, Real Estate Weekly first reported.

"It is remarkable that a developer can come into a community, disregard the letter and intention of an existing zoning resolution, and exploit loopholes that its elected officials and city agencies like the Department of City Planning and FDNY find egregious and possibly unsafe," Chris Giordano, president of the block association, told the real estate publication.

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.

The Snøhetta-designed building contains three district sections: a mixed-use base, a body tower and a "crown" at the top of the building. Each is designed to reflect the character and style of the surrounding area, the design firm said in a press release.

Days after the plans were revealed, City Councilwoman Helen Rosenthal said she would "fight this current proposal with every tool at my disposal." Rosenthal is supporting the zoning challenge filed with the DOB.

Rendering by Binyan Studios Courtesy Snøhetta