SJP Properties and Mitsui Fudosan America have prevailed in their quest to build the tallest skyscraper on New York’s Upper West Side. An appeals court decision this week means 200 Amsterdam Avenue, a 52-story residential tower between West 69th and West 70th Streets, won’t have to shave off approximately 20 stories.
Developers of the Elkus Manfredi Architects–designed structure had received approval from the Board of Standards and Appeals (BSA) back in 2018. The building topped off in 2019 and sales commenced soon after. But in February 2020, New York Supreme Court Justice W. Franc Perry ruled that SJP and Mitsui Fudosan America had improperly “gerrymandered” a 39-sided lot to build the tower higher than existing zoning laws permitted.
Views from the east side of 200 Amsterdam Avenue will overlook Central Park.
Perry ordered the luxury condominium’s building permit revoked and required all floors that exceed the zoning limit to be demolished. On Tuesday, the appeals court countered that the state Supreme Court should have deferred to the BSA’s “rational interpretation” of zoning regulations, and maintained the case was moot anyway, as construction was already substantially completed.
“Today’s unanimous decision is an unequivocal affirmation that 200 Amsterdam’s permit was lawfully issued under the Zoning Resolution,” SJP Properties CEO Steven Pozycki said in a statement, calling the decision “a crucial victory for the Upper West Side and New York City’s economic recovery.” The ruling was also praised by real estate developers as a win for both the industry and New York City’s economic recovery.
“The building industry will play a critical role in revitalizing our economy through job creation and tax revenue, and we are happy that today’s ruling supports this effort,” said Carlo Scissura, president of the New York Building Congress, an association that promotes the growth of New York City’s construction industry.
Amenities include a spa with a heated saltwater pool.
With construction nearly complete, a representative for SJP Properties told Architectural Digest the company will now relaunch sales on 200 Amsterdam and expects to welcome residents this summer. Located on the former site of the Lincoln Square Synagogue, the Art Deco–inspired building features interiors designed by CetraRuddy and a total of 112 residences, including eight full-floor homes and two penthouse duplexes. Three floors of amenities include a spa with a heated saltwater pool, a private lounge and library, and a children’s playroom with soundproof rehearsal space.
