Rental Towers at the Cathedral of St. John the Divine
Concrete superstructure continues to rise at Handel Architects' rental towers next to the Cathedral of St. John the Divine in Morningside Heights. The project includes two 15-story towers adjacent to the north façade of the cathedral, with a gap between the two towers to allow for a view of the cathedral's north transept. When completed in 2016, the two towers will bring 428 residential rental units to the Morningside neighborhood and a revenue stream to the church from the rental of the land the towers sit on.
Concrete has reached the tenth floor on the east tower, while the longer west tower has only reached the sixth floor. The facades of the towers are composed of exposed concrete piers with a sloping front face that mimic the flying buttresses of the cathedral facade that lies beyond. The sloping concrete piers not only reference the cathedral but also generate a sense of movement along the façade. Window installation has also begun on the east tower, revealing a black framed unit.
Southwest corner of the cathedral with the west tower to the left.
Southwest corner of the site.
West elevation from Amsterdam Avenue.
Northwest corner of the west tower from Amsterdam Avenue.
Northwest corner of the west tower from West 113th Street.
North façade of the west tower from West 113th Street.
North façade of the west tower from West 113th Street.
Northeast corner of the west tower from West 113th Street.
View of the north transept in between the towers.
Northwest corner of the east tower from West 113th Street.
North façade of the east tower from West 113th Street.
East tower façade detail.
Windows on the east tower façade.
North façade of the east tower from West 113th Street.
Northeast corner of the east tower from West 113th Street.
Northeast corner of the east tower from Morningside Drive.
East façade of the east tower from Morningside Drive.
Looking west towards the Cathedral of St. John the Divine (left) and the site (right) from Morningside Park.
Architect: Handel Architects; Developers: The Brodsky Organization; Program: Residential; Location: Morningside Heights, New York, NY; Completion: 2016.
