The Landmarks Preservation Commission (LPC) is now reviewing proposals to construct a single-story penthouse at 6-16 West 77th Street in Manhattan’s Central Park West Historic District on the Upper West Side. Designed by Foster + Partners for billionaire investor Bill Ackman and his family, the revised proposals arrive in response to the LPC’s request for reduced visibility and a façade that is more harmonious with the existing building enclosure.
The 16-story cooperative property was completed in 1927 by architect Nathan Korn. Today, the building features a pink stucco penthouse on the 17th floor, with mechanical towers perched above. The proposed scope of work includes demolition of the existing penthouse, the construction of a glass-enclosed volume, light landscaping, and obfuscation of the mechanical components behind a gray metal shed.
Street-level view of 6-16 West 77th Street
Aerial view of existing conditions at 6-16 West 77th Street
Existing penthouse at 6-16 West 77th Street
The original proposals were presented by Pritzker Prize-laureate Sir Norman Foster in November 2021. According to Foster, the design of the penthouse was inspired by the “hardly visible” pavilion-style design from architect Philip Johnson’s iconic Glass House in Connecticut and Farnsworth House by Mies van der Rohe in Illinois. His goal was to emulate the architects’ marriage of livable design, landscape, and nature.
In this regard, the 17th-floor penthouse features a highly transparent, low-emissivity glass enclosure with minimal metal support structures. The design team has also eliminated the proposed 18th floor penthouse studio and replaced the originally selected black-metal supports with a chrome-colored material.
Evolution of proposals for penthouse addition at 6-16 West 77th Street – Foster + Partners
Previous rendering of 6-16 West 77th Street presented November 2021 – Foster + Partners
Previous rendering of 6-16 West 77th Street presented January 2022 – Foster + Partners
Despite fervent opposition from more than 50 of the cooperative residents and four community groups, the LPC was largely in support of the project when first presented last year, then again in January 2022. A public hearing for the project will take place on May 3, 2022.
Aerial view of 6-16 West 77th Street and surrounding site conditions
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Has glass ever been so clear?
The paparazzi will enjoy it.
Why is the LPC even debating this proposal? Nothing is even visible from the street, this should be approved at the staff level.
what if you lived in that building?
What would you say then?
obviously no one wants this.
fervent opposition from more than 50 of the cooperative residents and four community groups,
But why? Makes no sense to oppose it.
Another selfish billionaire who bullies their way.
It will take 15 years to build this with the various co-op imposed restrictions on construction in the building.