If your dream is to live in a  supertall, stunning or maybe weird-looking building, New York has long been a laboratory for starchitecture. Every year, architects shaping the city are pushing boundaries and give whole new perspectives to the expression “the sky is the limit”.

Progress in building techniques allows architects to come up with innovative ideas and projects, but they must also adjust their practices to meet market conditions: an oversupply of luxury condos, rentals and hotel rooms, and a tight lending environment.

However, climate change appears to be the biggest challenge facing their profession, as architects must now ask bigger questions and change their practices in response to global warming.

So who’s designing New York City’s skyline? Some of the world’s most influential architects have left their mark on NYC, but we’ve wrapped up a short list of 6 famous starchitects and their fabulous residential buildings that currently have available units for rent or sale.

For more analysis on NYC’s residential starchitecture, check out this ultimate guide.

1.    Bjarke Ingels, 625 West 57th Street

At 44 years old, Danish architect Bjarke Ingels, is one of the most influential and admired architects in the world. In 2006 he founded the Bjarke Ingels Group (BIG) and along with his team he completed some ambitious projects like the 8 House housing project in Copenhagen or Google’s North Bayshore, California headquarters. BIG has also received commission for 2 World Trade Center which is set for completion sometime around 2022.

Bjarke’s very first New York City project is VIA 57 Street – a residential building that balances the excitement of the city and the tranquility of nature. Currently, they have only four apartments available for rent. Prices start at $4,246 per month for a one-bedroom, one-bathroom unit, to $7,315 per month for a two-bedroom, two bathroom apartment.

 2. Frank Gehry, 8 Spruce Street

Named by Vanity Fair “the greatest architect we have today” in a 2010 feature, Frank Gehry’s most impressive work includes the design of the Walt Disney Concert Hall in Los Angeles, the Museum of Pop Culture in Seattle and the Dancing House in Prague.

In 2011, New York by Gehry at 8 Spruce Street, was the tallest residential building in the Western Hemisphere (870 feet tall) and its rippling facade won critical raves.

If you want to live in this 76-story skyscraper, prices start at $3,205 per month for a studio apartment to $12,280 for a three-bedroom condo.

3. Herzog & de Meuron, 56 Leonard Street

Developed by Alexico Group and designed by Herzog & de Meuron, the “Jenga” tower, as some call it, generates 145 distinct apartments, which the architects describe as “houses stacked in the sky.”

There are still some available apartments at 56 Leonard Street, both for rent and for sale, the highlight being Penthouse 57, a fabulous four-bedroom, four bathroom, 5,252-square-foot unit that is priced at nearly $27 million. Apartments for sale start at $3 million, while rental units start at $16,000 per month.

Herzog & de Meuron are also the masterminds behind the Allianz Arena in Munich and the Beijing National Stadium.

4. Jean Nouvel, 53 West 53rd Street

The first drawings of Jean Nouvel’s “MoMA Tower” at 53W53 were submitted to the City in 2006, but back then, the building was considered too tall and too expensive.

Paris-based Jean Nouvel, is one of the most acclaimed and celebrated architects practicing today. His tower officially topped out in 2018 and is now the eighth-tallest building in New York City.

For those of you who are willing to pay some serious cash for comfort and a great view, there are still ten units available, with prices ranging from $6 million for a two-bedroom unit to a staggering $63.8 million for a four-bedroom penthouse.

5. Tadao Ando, 152 Elizabeth Street

Going from one of the tallest buildings in NYC to a more discreet statement, Tadao Ando’s condominium building at 152 Elizabeth Street in Nolita offers seven one-of-a-kind residences.

The Japanese architect’s seven-storey is described as a “crystalline box” and is re-envisioning the state of architecture in the city in a different manner.

Two units are listed as available at 152 Elizabeth Street, with prices ranging from $6 million for a two-bedroom unit to $13,75 for a four-bedroom unit.

6. Zaha Hadid, 520 West 28th Street

Zaha Hadid was the first woman to receive the Pritzker Architecture Prize and her building at 520 West 28th Street is her only residential project in New York.

Sadly, Hadid passed away in 2016, but not before leaving a mark and setting the bar high for the High Line’s future development. With striking curves and highly curated amenities, the building offers 39 exclusive two- to five-bedroom residences.

Six available units are listed for sale with prices ranging from $4.8 million to $58.5 million for a penthouse.

Guest author: Flavia Medrut

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