Skyline Swordfight: 15 Penn Plaza and the Empire State Building

Is the Empire State Building so spectacularly special that it warrants a 17-block buffer from other skyscrapers? Its owners, Anthony and Peter Malkin, think so.

The Malkins are in a twist about a proposed tower at 15 Penn Plaza, being developed by Vornado Realty Trust and designed by Pelli Clarke Pelli. This proposed tower would be barely shorter than the Empire State Building, though it would have a bulkier massing. The buildings would be about 900 feet apart.  Because of the size and proximity, opponents of the new 15 Penn Plaza foresee the end of largely-unobstructed views of the Empire State Building from many places in New York. The Malkins are hoping to see the proposed tower reduced in stature, if not outright rejected.

Rendering of the Empire State Building and the possible 15 Penn Plaza. via Architects Newspaper Blog here.

The Empire State Building is one of the most iconic buildings in New York, and one of the best-known and loved in America. No dispute there. It has also stood above its surroundings with little competition for the last 79 years.  The Empire State Building is a designated city landmark and a National Historic Landmark. But just because it's a landmark, and just because so many people like it or can see the way it lights up at night doesn't mean nothing similarly tall can be built nearby. Frankly, at nearly 80 years old, it is impressive that the Empire State Building has had so little competition in the skyline.

The planned tower at 15 Penn Plaza was approved by the Department of City Planning earlier this summer. City Planning also granted variances allowing the building to be constructed at a height more than double what the site's  zoning permits as-of-right. City Planning's logic is that there should be high-density development around Penn Station. (There's more of this to come as Moynihan Station materializes. Stay tuned.) It's got to also help that Vornado is promising a chunk of change for transit-related investments at the site as well. (Which, is all the Municipal Arts Society chose to offer testimony on before City Planning. Fascinating.)

Yesterday the City Council Subcommittee on Zoning and Franchises heard testimony about the proposed tower.  In all likelihood, the City Council will approve the proposed tower.

There's no special zoning overlay for the Empire State Building restricting height within a certain radius. Views of the Empire State Building's aren't exactly protected by its landmark status. And, even though the proposed new building is not particularly attractive, it's a good idea to encourage high density around the Moynihan-transit-hub-to-be.

Moreover, New York's is a changing skyline. It should stay that way.

Related Linkage:
"More Shots Fired in the Battle of the Midtown Skyline," Curbed
"Save Our Skyline, Begs Empire State Building," Architects Newspaper Blog
"A Fight on New York's Skyline" The New York Times