My first introduction to them was MANY years ago when they were still considered new and I went there with the sister of a friend of mine and her boyfriend. He was an architect and had weird track lighting in his place which was totally new to me at the time but--this is what happens-- today would be considered somewhat old fashioned.
I wish it were possible to find some kind of really impartial site about this project...I found one that seemed to be a mix of pats and pans, but sort of out of date.
I mean, who wants to read about conflicts that went on in 2008?
This is the most objective listing I could find
Kips Bay Towers
| Kips Bay Towers | |
|---|---|
 A tower of the Kips Bay Towers complex in New York City | |
| Building Information | |
| Developer | Webb and Knapp |
| Architect | I.M. Pei |
| Number of Units | 800 |
| Number of Floors | 20 |
| Year Built | 1966 |
| Construction Method | Concrete |
|
| |
| 330 East 33rd Street, New York City, NY, United States | |
| Distance to Public Transit | Less than one block |
| Region | New York City |
| Municipality | New York City |
| Zoning | R8 |
| Title of Land | Condominium |
Contents |
Background
Kips Bay Towers occupies the site where the first of the famous Phipps Houses once stood. Henry Phipps made his fortune as the second largest shareholder of the Carnegie Company in the late 19th century.In 1901, he sold his stake in the company and began building low income rental buildings in New York City, the first of which was a three tenement building complex at 321-337 East 31st Street that were completed in 1906. By the 1950s, Phipps allowed the buildings to fall into condemnation proceedings, thereby allowing the takeover that would eventually give birth to the Kips Bay Towers.
The philanthropic spirit of Phipps remained with the site, as Kips Bay Towers originally opened in the early 1960s as low income rental buildings, and it was not until the early 1980s that Kips Bay Towers were converted into condominium residences.[1]
Location
Located in the neighborhood of Kips Bay, Manhattan, the Kips Bay Towers find themselves in a part of New York City with a long and storied history. The neighborhood was named after the Dutch settler Jacbous Hendrickson Kip, who owned a large farm extending north off East 30th Street along the East River. His large stone and brick house has the distinction of being the last farmhouse from New Amsterdam to be demolished in New York when it was torn down in 1851.Prior to this, Kips Bay played an infamous role in the American Revolutionary War. In 1776, 4,000 British troops landed at the end of East 33rd Street and proceeded to defeat the 500 American militiamen stationed in the area. Shortly after this event British forces occupied New York City.
Today, Kips Bay is an eclectic mix of new development and old history, and is home to Broadway Alley, the last unpaved street in New York City, and one of the last remaining wooden homes in Manhattan, a white clapboard house found at 203 East 29th Street.[2]
Spanning three city blocks between East 30th Street and East 33th Street north and south, and between First and Second Avenues east to west, Kips Bay Towers have many addresses, including 300-330 East 33rd Street and 300-343 East 30th Street.
With a walk score and transit score of 100 out of 100, residents of the Kips Bay Towers do not require a car to complete their daily errands, as the buildings are within walking distance of an abundance of restaurants, shops, grocery stores, and transit options. The Kips Bay Towers are also located directly across the street from the famed New York University School of Medicine.[3]
Construction
Kips Bay Towers hold the distinction of being one of famed architects I.M. Pei’s first projects in New York City, although this was not by choice. It was reported that Pei did not wish to work on the project, originally called the Kips Bay Plaza, and had to be ordered to do so by legendary developer William Zeckendorf. Designed in what is called the Brutalist style of architecture, the South Tower was completed in 1960, while the second North Tower was not finished until 1966.Original plans for the three block site called for six buildings, but Pei insisted on the two tower design in order to allow for more outdoor parks and gardens. This stance later caused Pei headaches, as it was his intention to place a large Picasso sculpture within these parks, but he was told by Zeckendorf that Pei could have either the sculpture or the planned landscaping that included 50 sapling trees. Pei ultimately chose to go with the trees.[4]
In 1981, the plan to convert the towers into condominium apartments became effective, but the process was mired in litigation for several years. The conversion plan met heavy resistance from tenants, many of whom rejected the conversion sponsor’s buy out offers. Later, non-residents who initially bought into the building filed suit against the conversion sponsor, Kips Bay Tower Associates, claiming that the legality of their purchases was suspect, as provisions in the buildings’ original deeds were not met. This suit was eventually thrown out by the courts and the conversion plan was completed in 1984. At that time, about 70% of the apartments had been purchased with about 50% being bought by the rental tenants and 20% by non-residents.[5]
Layout and Features
The Kips Bay Towers are a residential complex comprising of two 20 story towers containing a large number of apartments. When the conversion to condominiums occurred in 1984, the building held 1,136 units, but that number has decreased over time as owners have combined apartments. The current estimate of units in the building stands at just above 800. The two buildings run parallel to each other, with the complex’s vast landscaped gardens nestled between them.Kips Bay Towers has the distinction of being the first exposed concrete residential buildings in New York City, and in hindsight, the building’s design has been labelled as a significant advance in New York’s residential urban planning. The design is well known for its stark lines, box shape, and abundance of fenestration in the building’s outer facade. Apartments within the Kips Bay Towers feature over sized windows and parquet hardwood flooring.[6]
Floor Plans
With over 40 floor plans available, a selection is presented.- Apartment 3B
- Apartment 8MN
- Apartment 15L
- Apartment 18G
- Apartment 20N
Amenities
Residents of Kips Bay Towers enjoy a wide range of amenities, the most impressive of which is the three acre garden located between the two towers that is reserved for residents only.Found within this park are landscaped gardens, a basketball court, sports fields, and a playground for children.
Additionally, the building is staffed with 24 hour doormen, a concierge, porters, and a live-in superintendent, and contains a fitness center, a community room, a children’s playroom, storage facilities, a bicycle room, and laundry facilities.[7]
Bylaws
| Kips Bay Towers Bylaws | |
|---|---|
| Rentals | Yes |
| Pets | No |
| Age | No |
- Rentals and sublets are allowed in this building
- There are no age restrictions
- Pets are not allowed in Kips Bay Towers.[8]
Sustainability
The Kips Bay Towers were built long before the era of sustainable living, as was the conversion to condominium apartments.Therefore, it is up to the individual owner to install energy efficient appliances and materials when updating or renovating their apartments.
Residents can also participate in New York City recycling programs to help minimize their impact on the city’s waste programs.
Trivia
- The Pablo Picasso sculpture that architect I.M. Pei wanted for the gardens of Kips Bay Towers eventually found a home in another one of his projects, the University Towers project in Washington Square Park.
- The indentations of the windows of Kips Bay Towers were recessed enough that they technically counted as balconies. This was done on purpose by architect I.M. Pei, as the balconies made the project eligible for certain subsidies from the Federal Housing Administration. These subsidies were integral to the economic success of the project.[9]
References
- ↑ New York Times
- ↑ Wikipedia - Kips Bay
- ↑ Walk Score
- ↑ City Realty - Review
- ↑ New York Times
- ↑ Street Easy
- ↑ Kips Bay Towers website
- ↑ Street Easy
- ↑ City Realty
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