The Secret Empty Tower in the Middle of New York

[@TheB1M]

For those asking our Times Square ads were run to raise awareness of mental health in construction as part of our “Get Construction Talking” initiative, founded by Fred Mills, The B1M and Procore. More info here 👉 www.theb1m.com/article/new-york-construction-mental-health-awareness-campaign

[@WhataMensch]

Hey B1M can you do a video on the best or biggest building in my favorite country isreal?

[@GodTierComments]

Fred Mills should have his own brass statue in Times Square

[@gcbusiness11]

When is this project slated to be completed

[@The_ZeroLine]

I’m sure Procore is all about the wellbeing of construction workers’ mental health. lol

[@XXPYR0XX]

0:03 of the worlt?

[@charlespreiss3426]

I work in Times Square on the graveyard shift. These guys are doing a great job of working with minimal disruption to the surrounding area. Well done.

[@philsblogs8527]

Piccadilly Circus isn't pedestrianised ..

[@roseharvey2664]

​@philsblogs8527 they took the roundabout out year ago, making a partial pedestrian area.

[@bullzdawguk]

@charlespreiss3426. I grew up in NYC in the 70's, but live in the UK now. NYC holds many memories for me, smells included. The steam from the manholes in the streets had a distinctive odour I can recall to this day. The subway also had a unique smell, but the Times Square station (where I would take the 7 train to and from my home in Woodside) stands out in my head as having its own subway smell for some reason. I wonder if it still smells like I remember. 🤣

[@PurpleMonkeyDishwasher88]

Work there as well. Tishman?

[@Veej77]

I'd like to ask for your honest opinion for visiting NYC - is it worth it right now with all the crime and homelessness they report? I;ve been a few times already and worked near Times square in '14. I'm looking for a weekend break to reminisce - from the UK - Cheers!

[@marinadela1361]

7:12 the fact that the horrible 'makeover' that rid the building of all of its gorgeous historic details happened in the 1960s out of all decades is no surprise to me.

[@MayaPosch]

Welcome to the era of Brutalism, indeed.

[@CookyMonzta]

Blame that on its principal tenant at the time (1963), *Allied Chemical.* Where is that company today? Do they still exist? Update: Apparently not. Allied put the building up for sale in 1972 and bought the farm in 1985.

[@Ramonatho]

​@CookyMonzta hate to be a corporate shill but Allied developed a lot of work that went nowhere, and a lot of work that's still used in the modern day. Fuel, heat exchangers, they did the whole lot.

[@egodeath7097]

In this case the new building is more iconic than the old one. They could recreate Old Times Square somewhere else tho, it was gorgeous for sure

[@rpvitiello]

@@MayaPoschwasn’t even brutalist. It was in the “international” style.

[@mrawesome9219]

So they've turned an empty building covered in adverts on the outside into a building covered in adverts on the inside and outside? 🤔

[@tmackenzie1]

ABSOLUTELY DISGUSTING ISN'T IT!

[@gordon1545]

'Murica. Shallow on the outside, shallow on the inside too.

[@Shipslitz]

poor NYC. all eyes on gov admins now. state and city officials. public policy. law & order. population health. NYC is among top worst in America 2024

[@darynvoss7883]

Oklahoma city has 5 times the homicide rate of NYC, funnily enough.

[@greatestsportslegends]

... For a measly half BIL. 😮

[@Jasonfallen71]

I’m a little shocked that it took till recently for the owners to realize it’s the perfect location for a tourist trap and selfie locale, news reports and KZbin videos. Outside elevators sound fun. If done right it could earn money and make patrons excited and happy. Good video as usual, thanks!

[@Heyu7her3]

Reminds me of Chicago's SkyDeck

[@DanielRoPhotos]

Issue is permits and legal stuff, takes forever in NY

[@halycon404]

It's an outgrowth of the city rebuilding the subway station underneath it which was in planning for decades. The city bought a forever lease in One Times Square for elevator access for the disabled. That makes the building a direct connection to the subway line and changes the economics. Millions of people per year are going to get right off the subway directly into the building.

[@westnblu]

@@halycon404 Didn't know that. appreciate the heads up! So the subway will finally be able to be accessed by those in wheelchairs and mobility issues ? Any idea the timeline for the completion of the elevator access?

[@halycon404]

@@westnblu It's been open for a year now.

[@jayski9410]

It's hard to believe how much Times Square has changed since I first saw it as a child of New York in the 1950's. I'm now in my 70's and living in Los Angeles but I hope to be around long enough to see it change a few more times.

[@JohnnyNiteTrain]

That's awesome. I first went to Times Square in the early '90s and remember how sketchy it was. I went back in summer 2016 and I was blown away at how much NYC had cleaned up, and just how safe it felt. Wandering the streets of manhattan in the middle of the night was awesome and would've seemed unheard of a couple decades earlier.

[@THOF4YOUTUBE]

Youll be here!

[@MatsNorway]

Damn that first building was beautiful. Modern architects needs to step it up.

[@robertewalt7789]

We used to go to a bar/ restaurant near the top of the building, back in the 1970’s.

[@remcodejong9149]

The fact that cars still drive there is mad. In any other city on the planet this would have been a pedestrian zone.

[@oscarlikesfilm]

@@FrickYourHandlewould be better

[@EZ-df1cm]

Murica

[@itsNRC]

plenty of pedestrian zones, wide bike lanes , & too many wide bus lanes, cameras at every corner charging you tolls to drive 5 feet. Homeless fentanyl addicts & illegal aliens with more money in their pocket then the homeless vets at every corner. 👍🏻

[@blackfoxstudioX]

America is very car dependent country, the cars would be driving on the roofs if its possible haha

[@MrJoysiq]

You're thinking logically here mate, this is the US we are talking about.. Cars are superior to pedestrians

[@The_D0RK_KNIGHT]

Pass by Times Square on my commute everyday and been seeing its progress; happy to see it mentioned here by the B1M!

[@taxirob2248]

I guess it makes sense that it's becoming a shrine to advertising media itself

[@martinhami3]

I prefer the original facade, missed opportunity.

[@Skibidy_rizzler_]

It was ugly as hell

[@MrRapmaster19]

Blame the 1960s. They ruined the building then and it was unsalvageable after that. This is about the best you could do

[@MK-hh1vo]

Once upon a time, there was a nightclub in that building called Nirvana Club 1. It was on the floor where the recess is. I celebrated my 25th birthday there. It was magical! They need to bring that back!!!

[@jody024]

The old footage shows how much more sunlight could reach the streets and how much more friendly it was for pedestrians and people using public transport.

[@imjody]

I had no idea this was happening. Absolutely loved the video. Great work, as always, The B1M. Thank you. :)

[@DannyMancheno]

You can tell the love B1M has for new york when they teach NYC-ers NYC history.

[@adiagarwal3784]

Great upload as always mate. Keep it up!

[@TheB1M]

Thanks so much!!

[@NYCSubwayFan]

@@TheB1MThe renovation of One Time square wasn’t proposed in 2022 it was proposed in September 2017

[@OGPodcastClips]

I never knew that 1 Times Square was empty! I thought it would be prime real estate!

[@jonathan12349111]

Another incredible video, as always!!

[@jackurbani5851]

I used to work on 42nd St. and passed thru Times Square everyday. I'm surprised you didn't mention one of the greatest transformations of the "Square". They closed Broadway to traffic in this district completely. You featured it numerous times in this clip. It's hard to describe the dramatic transformation. Minus the taxi cram. They're now planning on closing even more of Broadway around Madison Square and farther south. Great to see. You should do a show on the pedestrianization of our cities.

[@ejhirschberger]

In 2010 I got to go up to the 7th floor to work on a new video screen. It was accessible by a hidden-in-plain-sight elevator tucked away inside Walgreens. Very cool experience!

[@tebec3624]

I really thought it was just a "billboard wall"- had no idea a building was behind it nor that the Times once owned it! I'll make it a point to pass by there and see what's going on. Thanks for the update!

[@Anarkey]

I was literally there 2 months ago and yeah, that area is pretty much construction all around but that hasn't stopped the chaos one bit! Truly the city that never sleeps!

[@newshoes-bf2xv]

This city is the pillar of our nation. Breath taking.

[@Commander-leo]

With how much money they must be making from those ads I dont think they need a tenet 😂

[@jameswilson5165]

The ads and the ball might be helping to pay for the buildings renovations.

[@dx-ek4vr]

Still though, having the building be empty does feel like a bit of a waste

[@hedlund]

I doubt they have any tenets beyond making money.

[@oddyneo]

Was watching the lates video about Faroe island. And oh look at this new video, perfect timing!

[@stickynorth]

While it's sad to see a Gothic tower remodelled beyond all recognition, to be fair, that ship sailed along time ago so whatever you do to it now really doesn't make much of an architectural/historical impact to whatever 70's trend was left behind the billboards anyway. While not that original, the new concept is very tourist/revenue friendly and I fully approve. I'll stop by next time I'm in town!

[@drinny26]

So basically they will charge people to come inside and look at a virtual Times Square with even more advertisements.

[@drewshoto9450]

That’s so cool I gotta go to New York City now maybe in 2027 . Love your work B1M.

[@ereceeme]

Been to the square since before the digital. signage stopped when it was an xxx rated zone and now I go there every time I can. just being there is thrilling

[@saschakellert3087]

It’s interesting that a company who’s business model relies on advertising affected the physical identity of the space around their original office building - making it all about ads

[@DevinZA]

01:10 do you guys have your own B1M ad running in Times Square?

[@nycgoodfriend]

Before they moved to Hudson Yard. I used to work at EY (Ernst & Young) at their North America headquarters at 5 Times Square across the street from 1 Times Square for many years

[@liquidassets5491]

I am New Yorker and I had no idea this was happening, I love this channel 😃🔥

[@LordPunnet08]

This deserves way more views!

[@cyberpunk.386]

I work a few blocks from 1 Times Square and seeing this transformation is amazing. On the odd occasion I'd see some work going on there, but it's all very subtle.

[@GrampiesCorner]

Whats the most sad and disgusting is they removed the beautiful origional facade. Their is a reason people flock to europae for history and culture, they ha r buildings that are hundreds of years old and are not all tore down just for the sake of tearing it down.

[@Madfattdeeb]

I can't tell you how many times I have questioned the inside of that building. 😂 Thank you so much for this history and update on the building. That original exterior was absolutely stunning! I am going to start looking up old photos and more history on it now.

[@suspiciousafternoon]

fascinating never really thought about that building behind the adverts, everyday learning something new

[@prashanthsvadde]

I've watched your last video which is no less than a discovery documentary

[@captnmct17]

They cover up such beautiful and well detailed architecture it’s so disappointing.

[@TroyQwert]

They are free to do with their own property whatever they want.

[@suryakamalnd9888]

0:33 now i know from where carl pai operates 🤣🤣😂

[@douglasthompson2740]

How long is the amortization period on a typical sky scraper?

[@TheRealEstateDeli]

Always awesome content I always watch . Keep on keeping on, your friend from NYC 🍎

[@chicobicalho5621]

Great channel, and most excelent post. Just dawned on me that I lived in NYC for fourteen years, and never set foot in Times Square at night! Never visited Liberty Island either... I suppose those are basically for tourism entertainment.

[@TheJoshScape]

Could have just used it as a cinema, you dont need windows and you could have seating from the pointed narrow side expanding out with a large screen on the far (bigger) side.

[@Hii-lineGuy]

There are two huge theaters on the next block.

[@TheJoshScape]

@Hii-lineGuy so the point was it's sitting empty. There's a regal, amc why not make it an imax.

[@bartlett2335]

Who is building new movie theaters

[@stickynorth]

@@bartlett2335 Sad but true facts in 2024... Even I don't go more than once a year and I still watch movies DAILY... Just at home... Where I can swear, smoke, drink in peace and not get kicked out!

[@hazzardgaming405]

epic video again, impressed, try to keep this quality it's awesome, friendly and better than previous as was the last video you posted! :)

[@ThizOne]

"...it wasn't as bright and welcoming as it is today. Instead it was just an open space with some apartments" What!?🤣 That sounds (and apparently looks) MUCH more welcoming and nicer than what is there today....at least for/if you are a human being 😂

[@newshoes-bf2xv]

New York needs to do some serious building inspections to every single building in this city.

[@Queve1000]

IT reminds me of the I0I company in Ready Player one "We estimate we can sell up to 80% of an individual visual field before inducing seizure" 😁

[@ruperterskin2117]

Right on. Thanks for sharing.

[@jmflyer55]

Time mark 7:08 I've always been amazed at the structural integrity (or lack there of!) in these buildings that are about 20 stories tall, yet only perhaps 25 feet wide from side to side. (See center insert at time mark above) I worked in a triangle building for a number of years, long ago, which was just a rathe small single room at it's point, but expanded to probably 100 feet across at its rear. It was certainly a different feeling than the norm. (of course I always wanted an office right on the front "point". The entrance at street level was right on the smallest, "pointed" end. It had been built in the 20's or 30's. The basement (I believe) was MUCH older. It was like a dungeon down there. Lol You had to crouch down to vet around. And there was even an old passageway than was made at some time, that went into the basement next door.

[@WearySteerer]

I can see how this older building will work well with a predestination traffic driven business 👍

[@RipCityBassWorks]

It's crazy that cars are allowed around Times Square, that area should be completely pedestrianized.

[@kelly2631]

Put a bar on that setback, PLEASE, the view would be legendary and the vibes would be crazy

[@drew55555]

Went to NYC as a tourist last month from SE Asia. I felt very unsafe at times. Lots of crimes even at daylight. NYC also is very dirty nowadays, I hope they fix these issues because NYC is very beautiful. Architecture is awe inspiring!

[@eugene8524]

leftish destroyed city

[@robs9237]

As a born and bred New Yorker I never liked Times Square and I avoid it at all costs

[@LeydenAigg]

Nobody there but tourists! 😆

[@NGUNASEKARAN]

Hello World.. stay safe and spread peace ❤

[@Mamoona-fw8ty]

Thanks ! World need it .

[@Taladar2003]

Between the cars and the advertising that place is really trying to be a monument to everything that is wrong with America.

[@WatchingBadTV]

Don't forget totally unaffordable real estate

[@Moon___man]

9:16 who else thought they saw an eye floater lol

[@Amm17ar]

I was there visiting a few months ago. Genuinely had no idea there was construction being done lol...

[@blunaa943]

Time square could have been such a nice spot with all those old buildings and it's details. Really charming in itself with like a Swiss/Italian vibe to it. But ofc, screens is the way to go💀

[@milazinnia]

Ever since the Pandemic in 2020-21, Capitalism has been becoming increasingly more severe, regardless of "economic success" or not. Times Square has always been a reflection of that to me. In the 20th Century it made more sense, especially with dominating world politics pushing Capitalism forward in most of the "Western World", to impose against the "Communism" of China, Cuba, East Germany, Nicaragua, Soviet Union, Venezuela, Vietnam, etc. Xenophobia, racism/superiority complex and a huge lack of human communication was I think pushed upon that. But today with most of things being drastically changed or in the past, it feels like there isn't much holding Capitalism together anymore. I just think viewing Times Square like this won't be forever, and this is why I have hope for Gen Z/Gen Alpha to fight against it in the future. A lot of what is holding these policies and positions into place is because of a majority born before 1970, or those being born into families with some sort of power. I say all that to say Times Square is rotted and horrible looking today LOL and I wish we have an architectual Renaissance within America in the upcoming decades. Even if it means tearing down billions of dollars worth of baseless, pointless black steel buildings. The original buildings should be standing in that square, in immaculate condition, like so many other things in New York and America.

[@jtr549]

Can't believe they destroyed the neo gothic exterior in the 60s. You gotta keep some of the character of NY.

[@mikethespike7579]

It used to be an iconic building until they tore the original authentic facade off it and replaced it with a run of the mill glass and steel one and covered it in huge advertising displays. Now it looks like just some unimaginative high rise that could be standing anywhere in the world.

[@TheKarabanera]

Original gothic style looked so cool. It's also iconic, becasue I didn't even know it didn't look like that anymore. NEver been to US and all movies and games use gothic style. Or am I going crazy? I swear it always looks gothic in everything.

[@CasualYoutuberEnjoyer]

Love your content, keep it up

[@katherinebrubaker7788]

If they took a page out of the Burj Khalifa's book and switched the billboards out for LED arrays, then they could keep the advertisements and be able to use the windows.

[@GazMoby]

Very enjoyable as always 👍

[@MarcelinoDanielsson-le4mz]

Keep the sweet stuff coming up, ye~s.

[@Gamble661]

When you look at One Times Square without all the signage and compare it to the Flatiron Building I think the Flatiron building is much more ascetically pleasing.

[@matteoclementi]

I am from Rome currently living in Malaga, but I would immediately do a switch passport to live in NYC. You are so lucky to be born here!

[@Omegatonboom]

Damn, ive seen so many videos on this building that I thought I already saw this particular video before but no. It's a fresh one. And it's the B1M so of course I'm going to watch it anyways.🎉

[@dovmorgenstern9181]

Are you going to do a video about The Francis Scott key bridge in Baltimore?

[@valmarsiglia]

I worked for a while at 1585 Broadway, between 47th and 48th. It was a trip working in TS.

[@HelloHi-g2u]

So excited for this video 🇺🇸🏙️

[@cameronlewis1218]

4:15 “in the world”…

[@friznutzs]

What's going on with the concert at 7:47? Im no concrete expert but thay doesnt loook structurally sound to me.

[@Filboid2000]

It's a real pity that such a unique bit of architecture has been reduced to being nothing more than a billboard. 😢

[@gordon1545]

Times Square is the least impressive tourist hot spot... in the *world*. Just a bunch of giant adverts around a small plaza in a sea of cars and fumes.

[@Arational]

How do you get the materials to the site? Make payments to the mob.

[@djpalmer31]

I visited Times Square in June 2023. Hated it. No idea what people see in the place. I was constantly on my guard and came away with a headache due to all the traffic noise and pollution and all the guys smoking weed. You go to a similar square in Europe and it would be largely pedestrianised and much safer.

[@SirSayakaMikiThe3rd]

"Times Square sucks" "That's a lot of money to watch a bunch of primadonas kick a ball (in reference to Real Madrids Bernabeu)" "Cruise ships are a dystopian nightmare." Etc. Etc. No, dude, you are just a dull individual whose personality revolves around hating things. Ever consider just watching content based on what you like?

[@djpalmer31]

@@SirSayakaMikiThe3rd and you're just a hypocritical troll looking at some of your comments.

[@jsimsgt96]

Welcome to Costco, I love you.

[@TheWolfHowling]

Might be interested in the Museum & Observation Deck. Otherwise I avoided Times Square during my brief stay in NYC a couple years ago

[@bibekdas5595]

Love you Bro

[@devontikku2260]

Wild this footage of Times Square they use is at least 4 years old

[@Eagleintheyellowsky]

Incredible looking wow

[@Tylerburnham306]

See, I would love to live on old new york times Square, it's just so simple

[@Fanaro]

It's crazy it took it so long to get to this point.

[@arenkai]

I love how good use of an empty building never seems to be affordable housing these days.

[@cameronlewis1218]

10:28 “in the world”…

[@Neosoul_prima]

500 million dollars that can go to schools, the subway, the arts, affordable housing, and city sanitation! Like wtf instead of investing properly, they keep making BS, and raising our rent! Ugh🖕🏾

[@danielroky]

Any news on 2 WTC? 😢

[@pibbitybibbity]

One of my favorite things to do when I lived in Queens was to visit Times Square on Friday or Saturday night when it’s at its busiest, and then visit it again early in the morning-no later than 7:00 a.m. on Saturday or Sunday morning. It is so quiet and peaceful early in those mornings and it’s an interesting thing to see & experience in comparison with the night before.

[@ilikelampshades6]

This honestly looks like a horrific city. Such awful architecture. It was once beautiful and they cover it in glass and then annoying and tacky adverts. Billboards should be banned

[@sinvtr]

times square used to feel special to me when i was younger. over the years as they kept changing and just kept attracting more tourists, it means nothing. its sad.

[@symbiat0]

In the 90s I worked for Morgan Stanley nearby and we did an audit of all the stock and news ticker systems around Times Square and nearby on 6th Avenue. It was an interesting educational experience for sure. What many don’t know is that the lights, billboards and screens must be kept running at all times and in fact businesses can be fined by the city for failing to do so.

[@Profixt]

I dream that one day the B1M will use my stock footage for their videos!

[@neonsamurai4604]

So sad that they removed the beautiful original facade and no surprise it happened in the 1960s. Why can they just keep the front view with the ads modern black glass while the rest of the building can go back to the gothic style?

[@MassiveBuild]

You have explained it well. Apart from this, there are several others, such as one seaport, for which I made a video on my channel.