53W53: Manhattan's Modern Masterpiece

New York City's latest super-slender residential tower - 53 West 53rd Street or "53W53" - has been more than a decade in the making. For more by The B1M subscribe now - ow.ly/GxW7y
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WATCH MORE ON NEW YORK'S SKYSCRAPERS: • Playlist
Images courtesy of the Museum of Modern Art (MoMA), Hayes Davidson, Diller Scofido and Renfro, Atelier Jean Nouvel, Google, VUW Studio, Hines, Ozier Muhammad of the The New York Times, Giles Ashford, Stressteel Engineering Services (SES), Evan Bindelglass, Timothy Hursley and nyconstructionphoto.com.
More from Hayes Davidson: www.hayesdavid...
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More from NY Construction Photography: www.nyconstruct...
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© 2018 The B1M Limited

[@BenShutUp]

Seriously guys, yall's content here is getting better and better. Thank you!

[@TheB1M]

That comment made our day. Thank you so much!! ✊️✊️

[@BenShutUp]

Alright! Well God bless ya'll! I'll keep watching and showing some love from San Antonio, Texas.

[@PaulO-re4xx]

Really! I couldn’t agree more.

[@maxheadrum6751]

You couldn't pay me a billion dollars to live in that -----!

[@kamilpawel9606]

@@maxheadrum6751 not mentioning another billion to pay for that... i think it all look great from the top but it must be soo dark when you are walking down the street.

[@richardroyce4174]

Dubai looks cool, very futuristic and all, but it still ain’t got shit on NYC, mixing iconic and historic skyscrapers with modern skyrises. Love from LA ✌🏼

[@orderstudios4088]

no sandstorms here in NYC

[@Mickeydicky]

Richard Royce Dubai doesnt even come close

[@erzan]

Shame about the homelessness and unaffordable rents.

[@Matdogg2k]

@@erzan You talking about San Francisco?

[@Commentator541]

Well duuuh. Dubai has no culture or history, and couple that with archaic civil laws based on religion that have not been updated in 1500 years and you get a business center. Business center is not the same thing as a city.

[@nemesis1761]

For me, Empire State is still THE iconic tower of New-York.

[@robertjazz3613]

Yes can't beat a classic

[@garystrankman3841]

I think the Chrysler building is the most beautiful by far that roof design cannot be beat.

[@thesalandarian3314]

Agreed

[@Master-kh6ww]

Yeah

[@AlejandroGonzalez-rw9kt]

I am on Chrysler building team

[@noodengr3three825]

I love NYC. Not to live there but to visit and explore. Another building to gawk at.

[@TheB1M]

Couldn’t agree more 👍👍

[@mishaearle]

Not to say I don't care about the ordinary folk but damn these buildings are beautiful and I'm a tree hugger kind off woman.

[@gyozakeynsianism]

But this doesn't hurt regular folk at all. Any expansion in the housing supply helps everyone - even at the very top end. There isn't an endless supply of rich people to fill these buildings. Some will leave their fancy-pants existing residences and move in here. And that will make more space for the slightly less rich, etc. ... And that's why any expansion in housing supply, even at the top end, helps everyone. If we care about the housing prospects of New York's middle class and poor, we should want to allow a big expansion of the NY-area housing supply.

[@dom-xt9pt]

I’d say from the skinnier angle it looks real cool. But on the wide angle I think it is real odd...

[@dannyputra1908]

Why do so many people chose not to live in NYC? Its just like other big cities in the world like japan,seoul,etc. But some people think they just rather visit new york than live there.

[@chriscon907]

An iconic building. Very attractive

[@Super-chad]

You inspire me, B1M... It's like... I'm constantly on a crash course with the construction world everyday

[@starcrib]

Immaculate Structure , reinforced concrete, with that tapering tall summit -- How Marvelous. ! The B1M is hands down the most informative and well conceived architectural video magazine out there. Solid interpretation and explanatory key points are highly prized. !!

[@TheB1M]

That means so much to us - thanks for watching and for the great feedback! 👍✊️

[@sohobrad9554]

Marius M They don’t pay you enough to write garbage like this upon this massive trash heap.

[@yanatochin2906]

The Central Park Tower will be even better when completed in 2020

[@32123ABCBA]

This guys comment looks like it was sponsored by thesaurus.com

[@davetv4705]

I love the engineering behind this structure! Great presentation by the B1M.

[@american1776dream]

NYC is cooler than boring Dubai

[@Outland9000]

I would rather be almost anywhere than Dubai.

[@Studio2770]

Have you been to either?

[@piusx8317]

Me too. Dubai is like Blackpool but on steroids. It's tacky as fuck.

[@darealberrygarcia]

Dubai is terrible I've been there

[@thesalandarian3314]

Pius X ikr

[@citiesskyscrapers4561]

First ! I like your videos so much ! The best channel about architecture and urbanism I know !

[@TheB1M]

That means so much to us - thank you for watching!! 👍✊️✊️

[@citiesskyscrapers4561]

The B1M Thank you for your reply)

[@benji2023]

You guys should make a video about 15 Central Park West, it’s history is quite interesting and Robert Stern’s use of limestone instead of glass like most newer NYC buildings really makes it unique.

[@Someone-cd7yi]

what an amazing structure. Thanks for showing us!

[@failandia]

made by a European architect!

[@Someone-cd7yi]

Nomriel Awesome!

[@TheB1M]

You’re welcome, thanks for watching! 🙏

[@sohobrad9554]

You’re obviously among those Europeans who really hates the USA.

[@augustus331]

Hey I see you everywhere! You have a good taste in video's, my fellow EU patriot.

[@diegoqr972]

Can’t thank you more for this video. I find it NY’s super skinny skyscrapers extremely interesting. Keep it up!

[@TheB1M]

You’re welcome, thanks so much for watching! ✊️✊️

[@DRIVECLUBistimelessPS4]

ALRIGHT, this is incredible.

[@CombraStudios]

aight

[@erzan]

Yeah housing for millionaires while people freeze on the streets. YAY.

[@statisticalcomputing]

ok, this is epic

[@Chrnan6710]

Ok, THIS is epic.

[@nightlock-cf3br]

@@erzan oh shut up

[@citiesskyscrapers4561]

Great video and beautiful skyscraper !

[@Master-kh6ww]

#LoveYourChannel

[@sdlausen1]

Seriously, other than offshore billionaires hiding their money in American real estate, who can actually afford these places? Half of these buildings are empty, but sold out. Beautiful structure nonetheless.

[@JeffDeWitt]

Are they really empty or do the owners just spend a few weeks in them? If I was rich enough and had to regularly do business in New York I'd buy a nice apartment so I'd have a place to stay whenever I wanted and wouldn't have to worry about a hotel.

[@gyozakeynsianism]

Are they really empty? Do you have any evidence for that?

[@KevinJohnson-cv2no]

You can get a room here for less than $5 million. The most costly room here is around $100 Million. PLENTY of people are in that price range and willing to spend the price for the view.

[@megaswenson]

sdlausen, the offshore money (generally NOT billionaires) buying those units, is being investigated by our tax authorities, now, and sales have plummeted in recent years. Donald may fix that problem, though.

[@megaswenson]

@James Franko Well, let's see... Specific to 53W53, the penthouse units seem to have been actually selling for under 50 million. But let's assume a person buys one for 50. A person with multiple homes, can generally afford to spend no more than one year's income on each home. Plenty of people whose net worth is 500 million or less, have active and passive income totaling fifty million. Such individuals are far more numerous than are billionaires. And I've just described the people who can actually AFFORD those units. However, units in these new buildings, frequently sell to persons who have enough money to BUY them, but who cannot actually afford them. Someone worth 150 may buy a unit costing 50, as an "investment". Or, he may buy it as a way of sheltering assets, or as part of some sort of grand scheme (to impress people, for one reason or another). Then, there are the units held by corporations (beyond which, there may be one person, or many people - possibly none of them billionaires). And then, there are units purchased as primary residences, for persons actually living and working in Manhattan. In such cases, one could AFFORD spending 2-1/2 times one's income, on a primary residence (assuming a half-million-Dollar shack in the Hamptons, or on Martha's Vineyard, as the summer home) Such purchases may or may not be subject to the review and criteria of condo boards (depending on a number of factors). But an income of 20 could get you into a unit costing 50 (and frequently DOES - if truth be told). Plenty of people making 20, are worth no more than 100. So, assuming a large salary, and that the unit is to serve as a primary residence, and despite all the hype about "billionaires", a person really only needs to be a hectomillionaire, to be able to afford a penthouse in one of these new buildings.

[@ijonuigbo7417]

Watching my home NYC on my favorite channel B1M ❤

[@palm0607]

I come here 4 years later....and seeing it from 3 different observation deck...53W53 has become my favorite new tower to go up.....its exactlt why the skyline needs....

[@ArizonaWillful]

NYC could perhaps solve the problem of not enough housing for common folk by requiring that any large developer of a high end luxury building like this must also develop much lower cost housing somewhere else in the city as a counter balance.

[@gavinm91]

Just found this channel and love it !

[@moonwalker091000]

This was great footage and narrative. I am always so amazed at what engineers can do in this day and age, and how far they can push the envelope. Thanks so much and keep them coming. :o)

[@just_cade]

I've seen it in person and can confirm that it is indeed a stunning building.

[@L0R3N23]

Pictures do not do nyc justice in person it is so breathtaking

[@vieuxbal1253]

Truly a great video with very good explanation. New York skyline is changing dramatically. So, Jean Nouvel has finally been able to make his dream come true in building a skyscraper in New York.

[@julianmx13]

I walked past this building for the first time yesterday. Instantly fell in love with it and stared up at it for a good few minutes

[@Fandango541]

What drugs were you on?

[@R0DBS2]

Were you on cocaine?

[@Ferelmakina]

yo b1m you just sent me into a career crisis... I'd love to create buildings now haha keep up the good work!

[@allpropertyvideosdotcomwit3524]

B1M has yet another great video with an explanation of the NYC trend toward “super skinny” high rises. MoMA fans should watch as well...

[@TheB1M]

Thank you!! 👍👍👍

[@chuckstewart2416]

Nashville needs to break the mold and build the next icon tower

[@Celeritate7]

These NYC skyscrapers are hypnotizing.. Would love to see a video about the upcoming Central Park Tower / Nordstrom Tower if there's enough material

[@TheB1M]

We’ll get on it!

[@Celeritate7]

awesome :)

[@sohobrad9554]

Celeritate7 Nordstrom Tower is one of the ugliest buildings ever imagined.

[@R68OrangeQTrainProductions]

@@sohobrad9554 no.

[@donatomenga8413]

I am Italian. Today on an Italian TV I saw all the construction phases of this particular skyscraper. An important work that required an important commitment .. I would like to see the construction phases of the stainway tower. Cheers from Italy.

[@bolbiitp7850]

Im glad to say that I already knew about this building from Mr All Access lol The building is too sweet

[@azwan1992]

Easily one of my favourite channel. Love the information given in the videos.

[@tristanmoller9498]

Your voice especially reminded me of Mustard. Great content, keep it up!

[@TheB1M]

English mustard?

[@antoniosarroca5108]

The B1 M thank you for posting this wonderful video Manhattan's in my mind and also in my heart The New York City top of the world the big apple city I do have so much memory of my teenager life that I really enjoy at all wit so much love to any kind of season special in the winter time wit a lot storm of snow really playful now I miss you so much you are in my thoughts in my heart luv .

[@enduroman2834]

Wow, this penthouse looks so beautiful! Living there must be the ultimate experience.

[@JeffDeWitt]

Can you imagine being in it in a storm? Looking through those big windows? That would be REALLY cool, and a bit scary!

[@R0DBS2]

@@JeffDeWitt it would be a bit deadly, and a bit shards of glass penetrating your body.

[@darealberrygarcia]

This is my favorite skyscraper in New York

[@32123ABCBA]

@connextro in ur opinion

[@ThatBearHasMoxie]

I was just in Manhattan!! How did I not see this?!!!

[@kathypenney8385]

I watched a programme last night (on British TV) about the construction of this amazing building, and found it truly fascinating. Building it should have been impossible but I was astonished at how the people working on it overcame the massive obstacles that were thrown at them.

[@Masood1810]

Best channel! Thanks for a great video.

[@TheB1M]

THANK YOU!!

[@dareleven]

wow must've been very challenging molding and casting those external diagonal columns with non-uniform cross-sections

[@inquisitrmikey7920]

This building is sweet.😎😎😎

[@Jolar70]

I work in Times Square and I'm just about to visit this now! I've seen it growing over the months during my commute in from Astoria (Queens) and I've been wanting to see it up close. Of course I realize that security is at a whole different level since 2001, but I really wish there was some form of public access to these towers that we all live with in the city, like an observation deck or a restaurant, etc. The first 3 floors of MOMA gallery space is not the same thing as experiencing the actual architecture or views of the building. Oh well, here I come!

[@tuele4302]

Calling the structural engineering needed "complex" may be an understatement. As usual, well done!

[@Xerxesjc28]

NYC is out of space to build more housing, only way to build is up. The city decides that there is a height limit in that area so no more buildings could be build, which means housing is maxed out in that area, which means housing prices will go up since supply is limited. Then people are shocked and angry that housing prices keep going up.

[@SquidCena]

Xerxesjc28 no its not... there's places in Brooklyn they could build should expand and just try to make long island a bourough...

[@frankv7068]

No is not, there’s empty space all around the west side of Manhattan still, Hudson Yards is just tapping into some of that undeveloped areA

[@gyozakeynsianism]

Xerxesjc28 Exactly. But the problem isn't really in Manhattan - it's in New Jersey and Long Island, where there are far more extreme limits to housing density. That's the real reason why middle-class people can't afford to live in New York City.

[@Dark_Stellar2100]

Then expand the city to west

[@sohobrad9554]

Duh. Height limits were effectively adopted 102 years ago. They’ve been part of the NY fabric since 1916.

[@maxdominate2481]

Watching all of these videos on NYC architecture videos makes me want to learn more about their history.

[@thecitizenjoan]

So Stoked this channel exists.

[@dericklane2301]

Your videos are so well put together, the content is quality. Keep up the good work and I will keep supporting your channel.

[@Cessna1541]

hmm if only I was a millionaire

[@lisandroge]

Brandon Collins you need a he'll of alot more then just a million to live there.

[@vivazacatecas1546]

More like a billionaire

[@KevinJohnson-cv2no]

Do any of you know what you're talking about? You can literally get rooms here for a couple million, nowhere near a billion. The most costly room is around $100 Million, again, nowhere near a billion.

[@Mickeydicky]

Kevin Johnson if you want extra money for purchasing food, healthcare, insurance, and a car(s) then a billion would be very nice to have

[@notsure6187]

if I was a millionaire I would live in a large house in the countryside. If I was a billionaire I would own this but not live in it probably.

[@JPS-sc1zn]

A lot of people like to hate on modern architecture, but this building is absolutely stunning

[@philipbrazill2155]

One of the oldest and greatest skylines in the world. 53w53 is an incredible skyscraper but only the elite and rich will really be able to enjoy its views. I'd like to see if you'd guys would be interested in doing a video on Philadelphia, Pa. Skyline. They also have many great projects in the making which include the new comcast technology building. Ok awesome video though. Look forward to seeing more cool stuff from you guys.

[@edwin4362]

I'm standing in front of this building right now. I watched this a year ago, thought it would be cool to see one day. So today I saw it biking up 6 Av and it blew me away. I was like, holy shit that's the B1M building, and I had to go check it out. It feels monumental seeing it in person, if only I could afford to live in it haha

[@georgewu5]

At 1:54, I was the draftsman who drew the black and white high rise building on the right for Skidmore, Owings and Merrill. Architects in 1970. George Wu, ARCHITECT, A.I.A., NCARB 2018-12-22

[@thatcapuchin6597]

I love the slender design of this structure. Awesome video as always!!👍 😄

[@luigidimeglio9167]

I do hope you have a One Vanderbilt video in the works! Fascinating to see 53W53 went with a concrete exterior support structure whereas 1 Vanderbilt seems to have opted for steel

[@ham2ah]

Your commentary is great

[@TheB1M]

Thanks! 🙂

[@johnwatson3948]

The best thing about being in the B1M is you don’t have to look at it from the outside. Not built with a steel frame but with the same compression concrete as that bridge in Florida - during a hurricane tenants will be found visiting relatives.

[@pandarosamusic5751]

One of your best videos, appreciate the extra details.

[@BRAYXOTIC]

Next month it will be topped off!

[@userwhosinterestedin]

So much detailed information, thank you! Great video! :-)

[@TheB1M]

You’re welcome! Thanks for watching! 👍🙏

[@Brad772006]

That is breathtakingly beautiful.

[@augustus331]

The fact that high end residential skyscrapers are springing like mushrooms, in a city where homelessness is exploding, is showing for the two faces of America. The income inequality that is actively halting overall progress in the US and the Western World in its entirety.

[@georgewu5]

2:01 The building on the right, Solow 9 West 57 St. was a building I drew for Skidmore, Owings and Merrill, architects in 1970. As a waiter from Hong Kong, I am proud to take part in building the skyline of New York City, even I am poor at my old age. George Wu, ARCHITECT, A.I.A., NCARB 2018-11-21

[@georgewu5]

Therefore, I proposed to build 40 stories container housing for NYC to provide the affordable housing which I could do in my 62 years in Manhattan. George Wu, ARCHITECT, A.I.A., NCARB 2018-11-25

[@billlana8849]

Very amazing thi$ New Tower in..N.Y.C..OK...💙💙💙👏👏👏😁💙💙💙💙😁

[@achillesfury]

Do you know how fast I clicked? Nyc baby

[@TheB1M]

Haha, thanks! 👍✊️

[@amapparatistkwabena]

Can't wait to visit NYC again!

[@peretzo]

Just discovered this channel today it’s amazing

[@darthutah6649]

I actually got an appropriate ad this time around.

[@kevinnapier1014]

AWESOME!!

[@sharegreats2157]

This shows to me at least that the depression which had paralyzed the Big Apple after 9/11 in 2001 has been overcome and New York looks optimistically forward now.

[@mhsvz6735]

Excellent video, thank you.

[@TheB1M]

You’re welcome, thanks so much for your feedback! ✊️✊️

[@andreespina9747]

Sixth! Thanks for another amazing video

[@TheB1M]

Woohoo! You’re welcome, thanks so much for watching! ✊️✊️

[@DebraDukes]

Absolutely stunning view of New York.

[@pvdl11]

Thanks. Can you make a video on 111 west 57 street?

[@TheB1M]

It’s in development - just waiting for things to progress a little further. Such an awesome project!

[@dakshanbalaramesh]

Love your channel!

[@leodahvee]

Amazing video as always!

[@EudaemoniusMarkII]

Great video! Thank you.

[@grapeflavoredbleach7201]

This is great! More unaffordable housing. Exactly what New York needs.

[@MPP316]

Buildings like these do not help communities. They destroy communities, and are mostly vacant for 50 weeks out of 52 weeks in a year. These high rises inflate the value of the real estate which means rents are raised on everyone else. The developers are pricing common people out of NYC.

[@TheLazySleeperLives]

This is being built right next to billionaires row, that area is already unaffordable for most. This tower won't change that.

[@BlazerManiacNumber96]

That's the point. They don't want normal people living there. They want billionaires.

[@SquidCena]

Well they actually help the community... It's the land lords that are not helping...

[@thechillywinds5810]

@@enlighteneddoggo5803 So anyone who isnt a billionaire is broke?

[@lapamful]

Mr. Manager But America isn't 'normal'. America is exceptional. The 'normal' people you speak of tend to do things like turn New York into Chicago. Look at what 'normal' people did in London, Britain. We don't want normal, we want people with a damned clue about economics and we want more people to become rich, not have America torn down by losers like you who want to tear everyone and everywhere down to your level so you don't have to try to achieve anything in your life.

[@Jensie_Pensie]

I love skyscrapers, I don't know why... but I just do. I'm wondering why NYC has so many well-designed skyscrapers and keeps building new eye-catching skyscrapers while other cities all over the world can't achieve the same level of highrise architecture. For example skyscrapers in almost all Asian cities somehow don't look right, same for Dubai.

[@briansimpkins985]

????? dubai skyscrapers are amazing architecture

[@glebsokolov8016]

Jenskies Filtstivt Take a look at Moscow skyscrapers then.

[@CyAn-S]

I think many Asian skyscrapers look great in their own. Sometimes they are just misplaced. Like the Burj Al Khalifa in Dubai is very nice looking, but it is placed in such a boring place. Same with the Big hotel thing in Mecca or the Taipei 101. While buildings around Marina in Dubai look great because they are build in an area where it just works, with the water between it and other skyscrapers.

[@glebsokolov8016]

CyAn I think he meant East Asia, not the Middle East.

[@mmhoss]

Shenzhen, Guangzhou, Chongqing are on the rise

[@mrvk39]

The shadow over CP is a real thing. I was walking by 72nd street in Central Park the other day around 3PM and the shadow from a tower rising up next to this one (it's even taller) on 52nd street was casting a shaddow all the way to that little pond from Stuart Little (high 70s)!!!

[@Amigps01]

That pent house price is absolutely ridiculous

[@lowellmayfield5736]

It's a steal compared to 432 Park.

[@goldenferrari7785]

Amigps01 I don't think that a 2 floor apt should be $1100 a month

[@CyAn-S]

1100$ a month for a luxury apartment in a popular city is nothing.

[@yuhboris304]

When you talk about width-height ratio, is the width measured by the thinnest point, thickest, or average? Btw these buildings are mindblowingly beautiful and mesmerizing and this channel does an amazing job of displaying them and their story in a clear and concise way!!

[@mariushagelskjr5452]

would be nice if you made some more videos about cool concepts

[@lovewhitalways2010]

love NYC = a classic world city with great people and neighborhoods to explore. i go at least every five years and spend a month in the city.

[@hiddenone8844]

I don’t know how you can sleep being that high up It terrifies me

[@bronxmafi2212]

Hidden One speak for yourself not everyone is afraid of heights

[@MarcusLeepapi]

Thank you..

[@kenethmichael1926]

I love New York City 🗽

[@danabram]

NYC needs affordable housing not penthouses for millionaires who don’t even live there full time.

[@lipslide101]

Welcome to capitalism and area shortage. Supply and demand my friend. (Talking about manhattan obviously)

[@Jad2510]

The Empire State and the Chrysler Buildings are the two iconic skycrapers in New York. If they weren't there with all these new ones nobody unfortunately will recognize the Manhatan skyline

[@marcoruiz3108]

Can you make a video talking about the Creek Tower, please? You could also do one about the work of Santiago Calatrava...

[@TheB1M]

Yep, we’re on it 👍

[@Aaronaa4]

Tower Verre, well 53W53 is my favorite NYC skyscraper. Can’t believe it will be topped off in a few weeks!

[@flubadubdubthegreat1272]

I would honestly kill to get a view like that from my apartment.

[@rickyt11]

Not bad starting off at $3.Million for a one bed room, I hope it's a large one room with a large kitchen and bath :)

[@TheB1M]

There are floor plans here: www.53w53.com

[@MarinCipollina]

It's the most sumptuous and glorious one bedroom apartment you can imagine. Perfect for the single guy or gal.

[@chrisk8187]

Is Fred Mills the narrator? The effect overshadows the ability to absorb and enjoy the content. It's as if there's a layer of interference, like some sort of fog, to filter out in order to view and hear just the pure content without being aware of the medium.

[@Marlon-sw4nw]

great voiceover

[@maxinator2002]

Excellent video (as always)! You should look in to doing a video on 181 Fremont in San Francisco.

[@damarcoreed1367]

They should’ve secured air rights where 111 w 57th is because I think that’ll massively hurt current sales because that building pretty much block the view of Central Park and will make that penthouse sit for a while

[@iamtinfamousxii9326]

This is exquisite.

[@tredtion530]

I like the idea of the shimizu megacity pyramid it is just something that I would like to see on my phone or tablet.

[@roman2011]

Wow. Nice vid. Impressive building. Love to visit ny again.