Beekman Tower

Infobox Skyscraper
building_name= Beekman Tower
location= flagicon|USA New York City, New York, USA
coordinates = coord|41|11|17|N|74|00|57|W|region:US-NY_type:landmark
status = Under construction
groundbreaking = 2006
completion = mid-2009(est.) (top-off in winter 2008)
opening = 2010
use = Mixed Use
antenna_spire = None known
roof = Unknown
top_floor =
floor_count = 76
floor_area = convert|1000000|sqft|m2|abbr=on
architect = Frank Gehry
developer = Forest City Ratner

The Beekman Tower is a 76-story skyscraper designed by acclaimed architect Frank Gehry currently under construction in the New York City borough of Manhattan at 8 Spruce Street, just south of City Hall Plaza and the Brooklyn Bridge.

Details

The Beekman Tower is glass-sheathed and when completed, will be one of the tallest buildings in New York City. Developed by Forest City Ratner and designed by Frank Gehry, the Department of Education has agreed to buy the building from the developer, and will locate a public elementary school in it. [cite web | title = Looking Skyward in Lower Manhattan | publisher = The New York Times | url = http://www.nytimes.com/2008/05/31/arts/design/31beek.html?_r=1&scp=10&sq=new%20york%20tower%20architect%20school&st=cse&oref=slogin ] It is slated to open in 2010. [cite web | title = Gehry's Beekman Tower Gets Presented, Goes Street | publisher = Curbed.com | url = http://curbed.com/archives/2008/05/23/gehrys_beekman_tower_gets_presented_goes_street.php ] Its construction will be all concrete, with no structural steel.

Public Elementary School

The school will be sheathed in conservative red brick, covering the first five floors of the building. [cite web | title = Looking Skyward in Lower Manhattan | publisher = The New York Times | url = http://www.nytimes.com/2008/05/31/arts/design/31beek.html?_r=1&scp=10&sq=new%20york%20tower%20architect%20school&st=cse&oref=slogin ] It will cover Pre-K through eighth grade. On a 4th floor roof deck, it will contain 5,000 square feet of outdoor play space. [cite web | title = Gehry's Beekman Tower Gets Presented, Goes Street | publisher = Curbed.com | url = http://curbed.com/archives/2008/05/23/gehrys_beekman_tower_gets_presented_goes_street.php ] The school will take up approximately 100,000 square feet, and will seat 630 students. [cite web | title = Gehry's Beekman Tower Ready to Launch | publisher = LowerManhattan.info | url = http://www.lowermanhattan.info/news/gehrys_beekman_tower_ready_25262.aspx ]

Luxury Rentals

Above the elementary school, located in the first five floors of the building, will be a residential tower of glass and steel. It will contain 903 luxury rental units. It will not contain any units for purchase. [cite web | title = Gehry's Beekman Tower Gets Presented, Goes Street | publisher = Curbed.com | url = http://curbed.com/archives/2008/05/23/gehrys_beekman_tower_gets_presented_goes_street.php ] The apartments will range 500 to 1,600 square feet, and will consist of studios, one- two- and three-bedrooms. All will be priced at market-rate, with no rent control or discounted apartments. [cite web | title = Unveiled: Beekman Tower | publisher = The Architects Newspaper | url = http://www.archpaper.com/e-board_rev.asp?News_ID=1754 ]

Other Space

The building will also include space for New York Downtown Hospital. [cite web | title = Gehry's Beekman Tower Gets Presented, Goes Street | publisher = Curbed.com | url = http://curbed.com/archives/2008/05/23/gehrys_beekman_tower_gets_presented_goes_street.php ] The hospital will take up 25,000 square feet, and will have public parking below-ground. There will be public plaza's on both the east- and west-facing sides of the building, with one being 11,000 square feet and the other being somewhat smaller. [cite web | title = Gehry's Beekman Tower Ready to Launch | publisher = LowerManhattan.info | url = http://www.lowermanhattan.info/news/gehrys_beekman_tower_ready_25262.aspx ] [cite web | title = Seaport’s early reviews are bad for Gehry’s tower | publisher = Downtown Express | url = http://www.downtownexpress.com/de_176/seaportsearlyreviews.html ] Street-level retail, totaling approximately 1,300-2,500 square feet, is included as part of the project. [cite web | title = Gehry's Beekman Tower Ready to Launch | publisher = LowerManhattan.info | url = http://www.lowermanhattan.info/news/gehrys_beekman_tower_ready_25262.aspx ]

Beekman Tower (Penhellenic Tower)

Beekman Tower is also the name taken by the former Panhellenic Tower, an Art Deco skyscraper situated at the corner of First Avenue and East 49th Street in Midtown. It was designed by John Mead Howells and built from 1927 to 1929. Originally named the Panhellenic Tower and used as a club and hotel for women who had belonged to national Greek-letter sororities, it provided affordable housing for many women entering the workforce during the period. The building features sculpture by Rene Paul Chambellan. The organizational meeting meeting for Gamma Sigma Sigma, National Service Sorority was held here on October 10-12, 1952.

References

External links

* [http://www.nyc-architecture.com/MID/MID003.htm Beekman Tower (Penhellenic Tower) at NYC Architecture]