A view of the construction site as of May 23rd, 2007

Overview

The Related Companies are on fire. I was planning on covering their Veneto project first (250 East 53rd) but I called the sales office and quickly learned that the units were just about gone. Related has a pretty solid track record of pre-selling buildings and generating hype in advance of their buildings even opening. The friendly voice at Veneto recommended I try The Harrison, another Related project which is still in Planning Stage One (about two years from occupancy). I currently have an appointment to meet with them in June, the earliest time they are able to show a floorplan.

Interesting Facts about The Harrison

In case you haven’t heard, the Related Companies bought Equinox Fitness at the end of 2005. The relationship makes sense because the combined entities will come closer to the goal of “lifestyle services” which are sought after by high-end condo buyers. The Harrison is the first building to be constructed with the partnership in place. It is playfully ironic that the Equinox which was razed on 76th Street was the very first, having opened in 1991. It will re-open as a massive fitness center for residents of the impressive tower when it opens, presumably in early 2009.

Also interesting will be the shape of the building. Related tried very hard to clear out the entire block. This usually isn’t too difficult because Related will fork over an amount of money that would send most business owners running for greener pastures (Chirping Chicken chirped its way across the street). However, the low-cost hotel on the corner (the Amsterdam Inn) is owned by Jacob Oved, a multi-millionaire who doesn’t care for the Related development. Related has indicated that they will build around and above the building, considering they own the air rights. This should be an interesting one to watch.

Take a look at the Amsterdam Inn. I can’t imagine Related was too happy when this neighborhood staple refused to sell out.

More Details

It will take me a month or so to get more information about what Related has planned for this space. Stay tuned.

This entry was posted on Thursday, May 24th, 2007 at 2:43 pm and is filed under Blogroll, The Harrison - 205 West 76th Street. You can follow any responses to this entry through the RSS 2.0 feed. Responses are currently closed, but you can trackback from your own site.