New York's skyline: soon the super-rich will literally cast a shadow

http://i.guim.co.uk/img/media/254309fbba0a6fbad28972da6bbea074d4a91df5/0_0_5882_3531/5882.jpg?w=620&q=85&auto=format&sharp=10&s=94d2c22672a6f7d1a0642997380dcd3fIn contrast to the 13-year controversy that surrounded the construction of the new World Trade Center – the tallest building in New York, the United States and indeed the western hemisphere – another skyscraper nearly as high has lately sprung up almost unnoticed.

It’s 432 Park Avenue, a plain, white modernist Lego-like column near Central Park whose roof (but not its spire) is actually taller than 1 WTC’s at 425.5m (1,396ft) and whose slimness was made possible by advances in engineering and by New York City regulations that allow developers to waive setback requirements – responsible for the wedding-cake design of skyscrapers such as the Empire State Building – if their structures occupy only a quarter of their lot. It is now one of only three buildings visible for much of the train journey to Newark or JFK airports, and viewed from Brooklyn or Queens it makes the glorious art deco Chrysler Building a few blocks south look like a bit of a titch.

skyscraper wars?

60 ft wide  thats about the size width of houses in my hood. thats skinny