Jon Kully and Michael Walsdorf, principals in FLAnk Architects, have designed and are developing a very modern, 15-story residential condominium project that it known as The Collection at 441 East 57th Street.

Demolition of a five-story townhouse on the site has begun for the mid-block project, which is located between Sutton Place and First Avenue.

The as-of-right development will have only 8 apartments and it is distinguished by its facade of white fretted glass panels.

Occupancy is anticipated for early 2008.

The building is between two pre-war cooperative apartment buildings, one of which has a 20-foot-wide sideyard over which many of the new building's lot-line windows will look.

The crisp detailing of the development promises to make it the most modern-looking of several new residential developments on West 57th Street. Edged in anodized metal, the building's facade reflects its alternate stacking of duplex apartments with some units having one floor facing 57th Street and others two floors.

According to the architects, "the assembly evokes a block of townhomes stitched into a unified column." "This coupling of distinction and unity is affirmed through employing fifty-one panel typologies, totaling over five-hundred framed puzzle pieces,, and one ubiquitous frit pattern," according to the architects' website.

The building will also have a "smart lobby" in which lobby doors recognize radio-frequency keys and individual storage closets unlock remotely for deliveries, and a "touchless elevator" that travels "automatically.

The penthouse will have a wood-burning fireplace, 10 rooms, 3 bedrooms, 3 ¿ baths and 3,085 square feet of interior space and 260 square feet of exterior space.

Unit 1 will have 13 rooms with two bedrooms and three baths and 3,835 square feet of interior space and 475 square feet of exterior space. The living room will have a 20-foot-high ceiling.

Units 3, 5 and 7 will have two bedrooms and two baths and 1,740 square feet. Units 2, 4 and 6 will also have two bedrooms and two baths and 1,650 square feet.

Other projects by FLAnk include the Novare at 135 West 4th Street, 150 West 15th Street and a hotel/condo at 250 Bowery.