After more than 15 years of being in development limbo, a long-delayed development site in Washington Heights has finally commenced construction and will become the largest new condominium project in Upper Manhattan. Located at 524 Fort Washington Avenue / 29 Overlook Terrace, the substantial tower will rise 23 stories, 268 feet tall, and will include 164 condominium residences, a 135,000-square-foot community facility, and an 86-vehicle parking garage.
Sumaida + Khurana, in partnership with Bizzi & Partners, are the developers of this 330,000-square-foot project. Last year, Crain's reported that these developers acquired the property for $12 million from Amalgamated Bank, which had taken control of the site following a lengthy foreclosure process involving the previous developer, Ruddy Thompson. Thompson had spent over a decade attempting to build a 29-story glass tower designed by Gertler & Wente Architects.
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Unbuilt design by Gertler & Wente Architects for Ruddy Thompson
The site was partially occupied by the Fort Tryon Jewish Center and the remainder comprises steep terrain and bedrock outcroppings. A nearly 100-foot elevation difference between Fort Washington Avenue and Overlook Terrace and an underground subway line further makes the site one of Manhattan's most challenging to build on. Furthermore, an entrance to the 181st Street subway station serving the A train is at the foot of the project.
Current design for 524 Fort Washington Avenue, formerly known as One Bennett Park (Sumaida + Khurana / Bizzi & Partners)
Both Sumaida + Khurana and Bizzi & Partners are known for their commitment to thoughtful design and previously pledged to deliver an architecturally distinctive residential development for the location. Sumaida + Khurana was responsible for the Tadao Ando-designed 152 Elizabeth Street in Nolita, while Bizzi & Partners were among the collaborators behind the Renzo Piano-designed 565 Broome Street.
For this project, the joint venture enlisted the firm Marvel Architects, who designed a masonry, sandstone-colored exterior featuring intricate brickwork and deeply-inset picture windows. The design appears to complement the monumental character of its location, which stands as one of the highest elevations on Manhattan Island. Processions of double-height pylons will ring parts of the base and crown, and bronze-finished balconies will be interspersed throughout to break up the heavy massing.
Permits indicate that foundation work has already commenced, and completion can be expected sometime around 2027.
For this project, the joint venture enlisted the firm Marvel Architects, who designed a masonry, sandstone-colored exterior featuring intricate brickwork and deeply-inset picture windows. The design appears to complement the monumental character of its location, which stands as one of the highest elevations on Manhattan Island. Processions of double-height pylons will ring parts of the base and crown, and bronze-finished balconies will be interspersed throughout to break up the heavy massing.
Permits indicate that foundation work has already commenced, and completion can be expected sometime around 2027.
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