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Published on 10/14/08
Video
1 The Westin Hotel
2 Ground Zero
3 Port Authority
4 Madison Square Garden
5 Trump World
Blights 6–10
If the Disney-fied Times Square were reincarnated as a single building, it would resemble this hideous 45-floor monstrosity. For one thing, it clashes—with itself: One section is short, squat and covered in pukey shades of asymmetric orange. The tower part, meanwhile, looks entirely unrelated (except for its garishness), with teal and purple stripes running both horizontally and vertically. Purple? Teal? Someone really should have told Arquitectonica—the Miami firm to blame for this skyline crime—to stay in its plastic-flamingo-and-lawn-gnome-strewn territory. New York doesn’t take kindly to such tacky attempts at aesthetic cheer.
View all of our architecture picks on a Google map.
Rob G
Thu, Oct 18, 07, at 12:38pm
it is outrageous that you'd include Westbeth the one of the only remaining affordable housing for artists in NYC in a blight list. It was created under an innovative program to convert the abandoned Bell Labs research center, that once housed Einstein's Lab into a vibrant community for artists to live and work. It is well maintained and hosts many community events. And was the birth place of the annual Halloween Parade. Have you ever been to any art events or musical performances there? Or have you decided to compete with Absolute and cater to the Lawyers & Hedge Fund leaches?
bjbpro
Thu, Oct 18, 07, at 12:02pm
Westbeth! Are you nuts? It is a very attractive and original building -- and how cool is it that a train once ran through it and you can still see where? With all the monstrosities there are -- what about including the misguided Miami on the Hudson glass Meier nightmares?
My2Cents
Thu, Oct 11, 07, at 2:25pm
It's too bad you are so focused on Manhattan. There are some real losers in Brooklyn. Mr Katans Tower on 16th street comes to mind. Henry Radusky, the architect, has a history of over building these things that look like prisons.
ghostof'lectricity
Wed, Oct 10, 07, at 10:44pm
I agree, an unforgettable tragedy; but if handled right, the sight could be transformative for the spirit of New York- and all humankind. I'd say the jury is still out.
ghostof'lectricity
Wed, Oct 10, 07, at 9:42pm
Everything the man is connected with is a blight. The man is a blight. Now he's blighting up the skyline of my home town (Chicago) with a monstrosity that will detract from its beautiful neighbors, the Wrigley Bldg. and Tribune Tower. Please, New York, I love you, but DT and his creations are one NY export we Chicagoans can do without.
