Construction on Herzog and de Meuron’s Gorgeous Glass 56 Leonard Tower Will Finally Begin This Week in Tribeca

Construction on <a href="http://www.herzogdemeuron.com/index.html" target="_blank">Herzog &amp; de Meuron</a>'s almost-forgotten <a href="http://www.56leonardtribeca.com" target="_blank"> 56 Leonard Street</a> tower is slated to finally begin this week. When completed in about four years, the gorgeous, pixelated <a href="http://inhabitat.com/nyc/inverted-townhouse-creates-an-interior-garden-space-by-cutting-into-the-center-of-a-tribeca-warehouse/" target="_blank">Tribeca luxury tower</a> will boast its very own <a href="http://www.anishkapoor.com/" target="_blank">Anish Kapoor</a> sculpture, and have 145 <a href="http://inhabitat.com/cantilevered-office-anchors-green-campus-in-mexico/" target="_blank">cantilevered units</a> with private shaded terrace gardens.

The Jenga-like tower was met with mixed reviews from the community, who felt its 60 floors were grossly out of proportion for the Tribeca neighborhood.

With agreements finally met, the <a href="http://inhabitat.com/nyc/the-edge-in-williamsburg-becomes-the-largest-leed-gold-residential-complex-in-nyc/" target="_blank">glassy tower</a> will soon become a reality. Floor to ceiling glass curtain windows will connect the condo interiors to the sweeping cityscape outside, giving superior views in all directions.

The stacked cantilevered floors give each unit the unique spacing for <a href="http://inhabitat.com/dom-aquitectura-designs-green-master-plan-for-huizhou-china-to-clean-air-and-reduce-pollution/" target="_blank">shaded and private balconies</a>, each fitting under the shadow of the cantilevered floor above them.

The terraces will give residents out door space and natural air flow, controlled by each resident, into each unit.

Each designer suite will also feature unique shapes, like a piano shaped kitchen island, and sleek aerodynamic vanities and bath tubs. On the 9th and 10th floors, residents will enjoy an indoor and outdoor theater, library, sauna and steam room, fitness center, outdoor sundeck, lap pool and hot tub.

The luxury residence will create a new sustainable landmark for Tribeca, and an <a href="http://inhabitat.com/nyc/three-more-residential-towers-will-hug-the-high-line-park/" target="_blank">addition to the Lower Manhattan sky line</a>.

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