Thin off the ground

Skyscrapers in New York are often compared to fashion models these days – none of them seem to be too tall, too shapely or too rich to build, because there is no concept in excess of these categories. On the contrary, as time goes by, the projects are getting bolder and more impressive. Although such towers are also being built in China, Malaysia and Taiwan, this does seem to be a species endemic to Manhattan at the moment. A combination of legal, economic and social factors have made this small area south of Central Park mushroom with such towers of imposing heights. For this reason it has come to be known as the ‘Billionaires Belt’ The thinnest, tallest and most expensive The 111 West 57th Street skyscraper, which is under construction two blocks away from Central Park in an investment of USD 1 bln, is probably the best example of this. The tower, which is due to be completed in 2018, will be 426m in height but only 18m wi