Why The World’s Tallest Apartment Buildings Are On The Same NYC Street | Architectural Digest

[@sillyhead5]

This video is incredible. I'd totally watch an entire channel's worth of videos of this guy just walking around NYC and talking about the different buildings, their past, and their connection to the present.

[@Lost4llen]

yes please Nich we need your own youtube channel

[@martinhami3]

Yes, I'd like to register my interest please

[@seanpetaia]

And it going keep continuing to build tell skyline building in the another next 20 years in the future

[@denisehorner8448]

He talks too fast and slurs his words. Even with closed captions, I am struggling to catch his words, and I'm not deaf, either. It's hard to watch the video and understand his different points 😢 when he rushes through so.

[@DejayClayton]

This guy makes architectural insight accessible to everyone - great job!

[@Kognito72]

Not really understandable to non Americans. We don't know feet

[@LB14745]

​@@Kognito72It's super hard to know how much a foot is, only architects would know. If you go to Architecture school, they will teach you. So off you go!

[@monicad99]

yeah, if only one could google it….@@LB14745

[@leoray1234]

@@LB14745I see what you did 😂

[@tylerrhubright8117]

As a New Yorker that is fascinated by both New York history and architecture....I could watch him talk about the city for literally hours on end and not get bored. Give us more!!

[@williamhernandez3561]

Same

[@MitchellBPYao]

Only interest in it

[@patricksousa10]

Just visited NYC this past weekend. I never seen such tall & skinny buildings before. This video came at a perfect time! Thanks.

[@JoshuaFagan]

Judging by the comments section, I'm in the minority, but I love the architecture of these buildings. They look sleek and futuristic, and they're great editions to the NYC skyline. What I don't love is how they're only apartments for the ludicrously, extravagantly wealthy.

[@princezsshorts3209]

i agree, i've always had the thought that any "uniquely tall building" should have a public access roof or view point. mostly just out of the desire to experience those views for a moment.

[@annonymously331]

Yeah, they look far better than the office buildings that were so prevalent back in the 80s. Personally, I don’t see the problem with these towers housing wealthy people. After all, affordable housing could never be built in that location and supertalls take up less land area

[@massraider]

Great addition, but no one lives there. So the wealthy residents never spend time or money here

[@annonymously331]

@@massraider Actually it depends. The buildings with limestone facades (like 220 Central Park south) are lived in because more local buyers buy into those while the buildings with glassy facades have more foreign buyers

[@serafinacosta7118]

Well, it is the obscenely wealthy that justified these projects in the first place. The Osborne was extravagant when it came upon. All you need is to contemplate its grand lobby. You will get the idea.

[@BillWoodillustrator]

I learnt something today- as I thought all the east / west streets were the same width, and not varying in their priorities. 👏🏽 thank you Nick.

[@traviswilds7018]

Can't get enough of these tours

[@2394098234509]

Nick is awesome. Very clear commentary for a general audience, but without dumbing it down

[@khalidalali186]

The Woolworth Building is drop dead gorgeous.

[@ericcarabetta1161]

I'm curious what the _actual_ occupancy rate is for these, since they're mostly just bought by billionaires as investments, and they don't even live there.

[@daikon711]

so like brownstones? except these buildings take up the space of two brownstones.

[@ericcarabetta1161]

@@daikon711, kinda, they sit on those brownstones because they're usually rent controlled, so they can't profiteer they way they would like, and instead just let it sit empty until they can change the laws.

[@larrygrimaldi1400]

I have thought for a while that most people who buy these are the wealthy in foreign countries, who don't trust their governments.

[@georgemallory797]

The triplex in Central Park Tower is an incredible tour. It's the most amazing thing I've ever seen. 17,000 sq feet, 45' high winding staircase, private 3 floor elevator, 1441 sq ft balcony, ginormous ballroom, commercial kitchen for ballroom, etc. It's unreal.

[@LaValeriana_]

It took me a while to understand why Architect Nick was looking down at the camera, and it was just so we could see the building 😅 But my favorite part was Architect Nick being all happy about being part of the 111 building and taking us inside the windbreak floor.

[@JarrettOriginal]

Would love to see the interiors of these, especially the upper floors.

[@serebii666]

They are basically all the same, floor-to-ceiling windows, the odd column painted white, and either marble or parquet floors, likely with no furniture, since the units primarily serve as speculative investments, or somewhere tangible to park or launder money.

[@ande100]

They are surprisingly and frighteningly noisy in bad weather and some do noticeably sway...😢

[@suzawilo]

​@@ande100Yikes😢😢😢😢😢

[@gimmejr]

Several videos online of some of the units for sale or when they were for sale.

[@gstevens6948]

@@ande100that is a fact.

[@kennixox262]

How many of those apartments are lived in and how many of those apartments are used as a place to park foreign money?

[@maddiekits]

The majority of them aren't that extravagant so probably most are lived in. Plenty of units older professionals could afford.

[@brianredmond4919]

The construction workers don’t care.

[@eduardvandijk3431]

New York needs more neo art deco.

[@mrmartywaring]

I love the contrast of the older architecture alongside the newer buildings. I love it!!

[@2011blueman]

What the video doesn't discuss is how many problem these buildings have. They sway WAY too much, the swaying causes the elevators to shutdown frequently, 432 in particular has a lot of wind noise, and they all seem to have plumbing issues.

[@126anaa126]

I can appreciate these modern buildings but I can’t wrap my head around how someone can feel comfortable living at these heights daily 😮 🤯 I guess that’s the least of your concerns with a life that gives you access to these spaces….

[@teddysdadcory]

The funny part is that at that height it just feels like you’re looking down at ants on the ground. I get wobbly on a fourth floor balcony, but on the 57th floor? It feels different. If you ever get the chance, visit a rooftop bar or restaurant and test it out.

[@susancorgi]

can’t agree more but some ppl love the heights lol

[@SJF15]

Plus the risk of fire would scare the life out of me if I lived at the top.

[@larrygrimaldi1400]

I've lived on the 35th floor for 40 years, you don't even think about it as long as all the elevators are working.

[@jorgejavier1257]

Great tour and explanation of 57th street, history, newcomers, and absolute heights!! great video

[@emeraldkaysgarden]

I'm a native new Yorker born and raised...and these new buildings are hideous!

[@julietphillips1991]

It is not unreasonable to describe them as "hideous." The $$$ the owners/residents possess can also be called "hideous" or "obscene."

[@maddiekits]

​@@julietphillips1991tbf not all the units are that obscenely priced, there are some more obtainable by normal people...

[@AK-pq7wb]

@@maddiekitsI think it’s pretty hideous that the wealth gap is so large that some people are able to have THIS while others would be fortunate to be allowed to sit on the curb outside of these buildings… that’s really, really hideous and it trumps anything positive one could say about these buildings.

[@dins5066]

Speak for yourself

[@AustenSummers]

Nick Potts is a great guide

[@MrDavidPartida]

This guy needs his own channel. Great upload AD!

[@thecrowfliescrooked]

No sir. Tall buildings like these terrify me. I just can't explain it. Even imagining myself in the higher floors gives me chills.

[@pepo4559]

Same! Makes me feel uneasy!

[@jl91iii]

I can explain it, watch footage of 9/11 and people having to jump to their deaths and it wouldn't even take a jet plane to set these pencil like buildings ablaze.

[@savannah115]

With all the building collapses recently, these things feel like a real gamble to invest in. Who knows what issues will arise in 30 years?

[@LUIS-ox1bv]

Glad to see they are returning to the use of Terra cotta, for external use on some of the newer structures.

[@ByJakeRyan]

for some reason that really simple one with the structure on the outside looks best in my opinion. its so simple, square and peaceful to look at

[@LUIS-ox1bv]

Monotonous, and repetitive. Which are major sins for a building this large and this tall.

[@mattmayo3539]

50 floors up in San Francisco is terrifying. I’d have to be sedated to go in one of these. I’d be petrified.

[@Nswix]

tbf NYC doesn't have the seismic activity California does.

[@blainegabbertgabonemhofgoa6602]

Skyscrapers in sf are safer than single family homes built over a garage In earthquakes.

[@Nswix]

@@blainegabbertgabonemhofgoa6602 except the one thats leaning so much engineers are concerned.

[@LUIS-ox1bv]

50 floors is nothing in many cities around the world. 100 stories is the new 50.

[@NathanHarrison7]

Beautiful analysis. And I love that day to night time-lapse transition of the city at the very end.

[@paveladamek3502]

It is interesting how people used to freak out about skyscrapers casting shade, hence the set-backs, and now we complain about overheated sidewalks and the whole city walks in the shade depending on the time of the day.

[@CrazedComposure]

In other cities, instead of buildings casting everyone in shadow, they have trees that do it instead. The problem isn't the shade, it's what's making it.

[@cupdrums]

absolutely incredible articulation and explanation of technical terms, fun facts, and history. Nick Potts Well done!

[@sophiaisabelle027]

Billionaire's Row has had a reputation for being one of the most well-recognized neighborhoods around NY. We've know just how the wealthy feel inclined to invest on well rounded properties.

[@erik3371]

Has had? As in not anymore? Is it because so much of the buildings are empty?

[@danielterry382]

432 Park is a Building involved in Huge Law Suits a s many tenants unhappy, the holes in the building cause Huge wind noise.

[@kevinabbott1456]

The Woolworth building is my favorite.

[@KyleSchwarzRetail]

Great look I love this new series of videos out!

[@valeria6902]

Are we going to talk about how long AD has been live? 😹

[@eamonshields2754]

111 W 57ST looks incredible

[@collidingforces9589]

Fascinating! NYC doesn't fail to impress.

[@georgehintenbergerpa4363]

Haven’t been back to NYC since the pandemic… looking forward to seeing these super talls on my next visit. Great video

[@carsongbaker]

111 W 57th is my favorite skyscraper - beautiful and an engineering marvel!

[@sawarunan]

AD, please get Mr. Potts over to Brooklyn so we can see The Brooklyn Tower, aka Isengard 🙇‍♂

[@atreyac5384]

I wish New York had preserved its classical design language as a mandate when constructing new buildings. This is prevelant all across Europe thus making those places objective prettier and more habitable. In my country India, the city of Jaisalmer implemented something similar, so why cant it be done here ? :(

[@doctabarlow]

I believe New York is trying to redefine its self through a lot of these newer style of buildings. Whether it be West 57th or many different buildings near chelsea or Hudson Yards, they're creating a new style.

[@SidVidZid]

Since Manhattan is an island you can’t compare it with other European cities or Jaisalmer. It’s more like Hong Kong or maybe Singapore City. You can find space or create monetary value by only going up.

[@marthastewartschowchow]

@@SidVidZidare you actually saying NYC does not have noteworthy historic architecture? 😳

[@MrCTruck]

Oh we do except our design philosophy is and has always has been brutal capitalism which means whatever building style is cheapest at the time, that’s the one we go with.

[@Lucargia1]

This might be a hot take and I replied to another comment with something similar, but that sounds like an awful and boring choice. NYC (in my opinion) thrives on celebrating it's history and looking to the future. You can walk two blocks and pass by three different architectural styles that were built 5-10 decades apart and nobody bats an eye, that's pretty cool. If you think about two of the most iconic buildings the city has had, the twin towers and the Empire State Building, they couldn't be farther apart. People often think of NYC for it's art deco structures, but two giant brutalist concrete boxes were at one point the most famous (and tallest) buildings in the world. It's in a constant state of change and growth to meet modern demands, that's why it's called a "global city" and still holds the crown as the financial capital of the world.

[@EGO0808]

Love this video, very interesting to hear about the history, the architectural styles and the background. It's probably because where I am living in Kuala Lumpur on the 45th floor of a tall (not super tall) residential building called Le Nouvel, overlooking the KLCC park in Kuala Lumpur (not Central Park, I know). I just love living on these high floors, with the fantastic views day and night and their challenging constructions and architecture. Nice!

[@terriellis3697]

Great video. I know this will sound really nerdy, but I would love a video on the history of the street plan, setback rules etc. All the regulations that have made NYC the way it is today. It would be cool to see examples of how these rules influence architecture, and what kind of new rules might be considered today.

[@sjrq]

I personally like some of the Billionaires Row buildings (except 432 Park Ave.), but I’d like for NYC to cap the amount of supertall buildings built and tax residents of these skyscrapers appropriately (look up property tax categories in NYC; it’s crazy how little they pay).

[@imlx667]

These towers are incredible, they look crazier than any other towers on the Earth. New York needs facilities like this

[@Sashazur]

I agree. I know so many New Yorkers hate these buildings but I was born and raised there and I feel like it’s a city of skyscrapers, these new buildings just fit into that and make it look cool and futuristic again. But I wouldn’t want to live in one and I hope they’re correctly designed and built!

[@jj-if6it]

When I was last in New York, they really stood out and I couldn't help but think how silly all those tall skinny buildings looked in the skyline

[@CathyS_Bx]

We New Yorkers hate these stupid sliver buildings with a passion. They ruin the skyline and even some "inmates" complain of the buildings swaying, the elevators conking out, etc.

[@Hullabaloo2013]

@@CathyS_Bx Speak for yourself. Born and raised New Yorker here who LOVES these additions to the skyline.

[@johnepants]

There was something off putting when I came back to NYC last October, but at the same time, buildings evolve. My only concern is, how do they come down when they eventually need to, especially the ones built between historic buildings?

[@rulingmoss5599]

@@Hullabaloo2013 I feel sorry for you having to live in NYC, hope you get out soon.

[@paulkunstler9962]

@@rulingmoss5599I feel sorry that you’re an adult Halo fan. Hopefully you grow up soon

[@weijingburr2392]

Great presentation. Nick did a great job. Thanks for a very insightful program.

[@andtheneverythingchangedwh5234]

Any New Yorker will tell you. We hate these buildings.

[@ce2513]

Any Earthling will tell you. We hate these buildings' residents.

[@LUIS-ox1bv]

Many New Yorkers, like me, disagree with you. There are more pressing things to hate in New York.

[@IwinMahWay]

Only peasant new yorkers hate these

[@claudiamann7111]

Thank you so much for another fabulous tour. I would not feel comfortable in those super tall buildings. I would be happy with the small Vanderbilt house. Can't wait to see what you have next.

[@virtualworldsbyloff]

Those buildings are plagued with issues and they even took the builders to Court, the only reason you don't hear much about it is because owners don't want prices to go down, but they want to ger read of their apartments, check it out

[@polemius01]

Thanks for answering several questions I had about these buildings.

[@rolandnelson6722]

That guy real knows what he is talking about. It is a phenomenal talk.

[@SpockvsMcCoy]

Very tall buildings require excessive interior space allocated for elevators, pumps, and other utilities...thus these projects are only completed to satisfy vanity, not practicality.

[@Sashazur]

But as he says, in a residential building you don’t need as many elevators etc. since the number of people per square foot is a lot smaller.

[@recks1151]

They look cheap and pretentious. Why not remain consistent with the rest of the city?

[@LUIS-ox1bv]

You mean like so many other, " cheap and prententious," buildings built throughout the past few decades in New York?

[@jakobdees3489]

awesome, this guy is very knowledgable. And I love newyork.. ;)

[@corvetteracing4]

These buildings are incredible. Works of art

[@D71219ONE]

RCE: “You can tell it was designed by an architect.” We need a building designed in the sturdiest and strongest shape.

[@CoffeyTravels]

Kodos to shop architects and Buro Happold on completing the Steinway tower, amazing feat

[@p.burley4533]

What is the weight of the dampers in the super-talls? That alone, at those heights, is an amazing engineering feat.

[@ninjastar401]

I worked on W 57 St and have always stared out at the Vanderbuilt Townhouse…so cool to know the origin story!

[@rolfjacobson833]

super great eposide. the best i have seen on 57th st

[@obsidiawn2852]

The thin apartment building in the beginning of the video cuts through the wind and has less air resistance so a weight on top to keep balance with this building sway makes a lot of sense for additional safety. I like this first building because of how narrow it is. I find the black building with its foundation on the outside curving inward to be intimidating.

[@NICOGIA300]

Amazing video.

[@leechjim8023]

Those buildings are SCARY! I want nothing to do with them.

[@ehyouman]

This was very enjoyable thanks!

[@TerryOkeyTunes]

Wow what an amazing video. I love how he explains enough detail but in simple language. Thanks for such an awesome video on these (to me nutty) buildings. But I wish he would have explained how in the world the Central Park Tower was able to build OVER the top of another building? Does that mean they would have had to buy the other building to get the air rights?

[@suzawilo]

Yeah, my fear of heights just got a lot worse😮

[@BenSussmanpro]

Great information about these older buildings, but the only thing I’m curious about the pencil-skyscrapers is whether the higher floors are free of rats & other vermin.

[@LUIS-ox1bv]

Ridiculous question.

[@BenSussmanpro]

@@LUIS-ox1bv Why?

[@woodrow60]

Great presentation. This channel’s video presentations by senior architects are terrific.

[@zabba7461]

They're gaudy and embarrassing materializations of excess, inequality and late capitalism

[@cameronrodgersowens]

Skyscraper cities like NYC and Chicago are so unimpressive when you’re in a state that has tall mountains.

[@stayhappylittlemermaid]

Never put off tomorrow what you can do today

[@eddieg6436]

Love these new supertalls!! The engineering is incredible, and their height above the park is an awesome sight. ……It is interesting how much they are HATED by New Yorkers!!! I find them fascinating structures!

[@Ryan-093]

people hate them because they are built for foreign billionaires to launder their money. people don't actually live in them. it's just a big investment trophy for the world's ultra wealthy. and at the same time, ordinary people are struggling to pay rent.

[@kongwaguk8337]

DO WE HAVE do the audio on the NY street... I'm hearing more construction and traffic then architectural digest

[@charliesoteriou9870]

Great video. Thank you

[@thebookwasbetter3650]

432 Park has reported that elevators are getting stuck and flooding is happening because the building sways so much.

[@Antietam22]

This video is very well done. As tall as these buildings are -- and with all the new technology -- I wish Mr. Potts had talked about the issue of sway. How much do these buildings sway on a typical day? What happens in a hurricane? Or, is there no sway as a result of the open floors?

[@rafaeltorre1643]

He did. But didn’t go into detail.

[@claudermiller]

Considering the current ocean temperatures I wouldn't live in one of these. I would be afraid of a category 5 storm hitting NYC and contrary to what anyone says, I'm not convinced they would be stable.

[@LUIS-ox1bv]

Neither are two story houses in NJ.

[@SoCalFreelance]

Complimentary emergency parachute for each residence 😅

[@paulfrancis8764]

I followed the progress of all those buildings as they went up on Skyscrapercity.

[@ljtinney]

I get far too excited for each of these videos when they come out.

[@thadaHawk]

Coincidentally enough, nearly all of the other World's tallest apartment buildings also exist along a small chunk of one city in Dubai's Marina District, and they are also quite skinny.

[@candvand]

432 they might as well put orange roll-up doors in it’s square windows, and make it into a Public Storage.

[@divox9pqr]

Would love to have seen the interior of these wonderful tower spaces.

[@AK-pq7wb]

I’m pretty sure there’s some videos on here that realtors have done

[@Sashazur]

They’re kind of a letdown. The buildings look so unusual and different on the outside, on the inside the apartments look like any other bland fancy modern apartment, there’s nothing unique.

[@ShawnLH88]

The bedrock beneath the city is literally the reason these buildings are able to even stand without sinking. How are you ignoring that??😂😂😂

[@larrygrimaldi1400]

True, he starts off standing on the rock in Central Park that was scratched by glaciers.

[@williamwebb7917]

The weight of the buildings are actually making Manhattan sink, albeit slowly, millimeters a year. National Geographic did an article on the subject.

[@shannongfm9945]

Goddamned atrocity. Bloomberg and De Blasio created Abu Dubai on the Hudson.

[@ryanburns6284]

Great tour 👍

[@collegeri]

Please make more

[@DrRichardMarques]

Really great job with this video! 👏⭐️

[@paulolden4337]

Grand Central TERMINAL. You should know this.

[@SydneyCarton-sf3mq]

Your videos are amazing. There are more supertall residential towers on the way at 41 W 57th and most likely, on the site just west of the Crown Building.

[@colinrenfrew48]

Fascinating video.

[@BorisG13]

I would love more videos like this

[@301jerm]

I love this city, that’s all.

[@jcfretts]

These are such a tragedy, such a blight on the city.

[@AK-pq7wb]

The whole city is a ‘blight’ on nature. New Yorkers are the tragedy.

[@arte2arquiteto]

So many inconsistencies during this presentation, but I'll focus on simply one: Grand Central Terminal is the correct name for the building as Grand Central Station refers only to the post office nearby.

[@Chopbreaka]

Native New Yawka here . Friends and I refer to 432 Park Ave as the ronzoni spaghetti box 😂

[@jeanbolduc5818]

We live in a world of non sense and people stupidity is infinite ... Tall skyscrapers do not define the quality of life in a city

[@VictorMiranda-gh7mn]

Central Park tower need more reflecting Outside lights for such a wonderful and beautiful building. Is to dark at night time.

[@Stargazer771]

These are alright, but I like the Brooklyn Tower it’s gorgeous, very classic art deco gothic.

[@sliceserve234]

fascinating video!