In a bold move blending thoughtful design with urban sensitivity, 111 West 57th Street typifies the luxurious extreme of the superslim typology in New York City. Containing only 60 units, the tower will offer an exclusive, centered perspective on Manhattan’s Midtown neighborhood, affording uninhibited views of the entire urban region.

The tower’s form is derived through an unconventional interpretation of what is possible when working with the requirements of the Midtown zoning envelope, multiplying the height of each setback to present a feathered, rather than a stepped, profile. New ways were also explored to exploit the possibilities of terra-cotta, one of the most flexible and beautiful materials from the golden age of the Manhattan skyscraper. Blocks will be extruded and glazed, then stacked into undulating “pilasters” on the east and west façades, their staggered waves combining into a subtle and distinctive moiré pattern. Each pilaster ascends to one of the stepped setbacks above, so the tower appears to dematerialize as it rises. Alternating between them are vertical bands of glazing trimmed with bronze. To the north and south, views of the city and nearby Central Park are maximized through the use of taught, cleanly detailed glass walls. The footprint of the building was kept as compact as possible, positioning it well back from the street to respect and preserve the landmark Steinway Building at its base.

The result is one-of-a-kind superslim: an exercise in sensitive urbanism, the creative use of technology, and a pride of place that could only be found in Manhattan. Topping out at over 435 meters, when completed it will be among the tallest towers in the city, and one of the most slender skyscrapers in the world.