First LEED Gold Tower at Hudson Yards Breaks Ground in Manhattan

Construction on the new 26-acre development at <a href="http://www.hydc.org/html/home/home.shtml" target="_blank">Hudson Yards</a> commenced today as builders broke ground on the complex's South Tower. The project, which is being developed by <a href="http://www.oxfordproperties.com/corp/Web/Default.aspx" target="_blank">Oxford Properties Group</a> and <a href="http://www.related.com/hudsonyards/" target="_blank">Related</a> with the support of <a href="http://www.nyc.gov/html/dcp/html/hyards/hymain.shtml" target="_blank">Mayor Bloomberg</a> and the <a href="http://www.mta.info/nyct/" target="_blank">MTA</a>, is expected to invigorate the west side of Manhattan and create an entirely new neighborhood. Development of the area begins with the south tower, which was designed by <a href="http://www.kpf.com/" target="_blank">Kohn Pedersen Fox</a> and is anticipated to achieve LEED Gold certification. Hudson Yards will add new commercial and residential space to the city along with parks, a new school, a hotel, a cultural center, a connection with the <a href="http://inhabitat.com/nyc/high-line-section-3-final-section-of-high-line-breaks-ground-today/" target="_blank">High Line</a> and an extension of the 7 subway line, which will increase public transportation into the area.

Hudson Yards is currently a blank space on the map on the west side on Manhattan above 33rd Street, but is set to become a bright spot in the city with lots of new amenities.

The 26-acre site is the single largest piece of undeveloped property in Manhattan and will expand the city's central business district to the west.

Working in close collaboration with the Mayor's Office, MTA and other vital organizations, the <a href="http://www.oxfordproperties.com/corp/Web/Default.aspx" target="_blank">Oxford Properties Group</a> and <a href="http://www.related.com/hudsonyards/" target="_blank">Related</a> have created a mixed-use plan incorporating parks, office and residential space, community amenities and even a new transit lines into the heart of the development.

“Developing Manhattan’s final frontier is the next major step in our city’s ongoing economic revival,” said Mayor Bloomberg. “The Hudson Yards project – whose construction will create 23,000 jobs alone and whose existence will support thousands more – is a testament to our city’s economic strength. Related and Oxford’s massive and bold investment in this project and the commitments from these tenants demonstrate the confidence in the city's future and the future of the West Side.”

Not only will the multi-tower development alter the city's skyline, the project at Hudson Yards will provide significant benefit to the citizens of New York City.

From the LEED Gold designed buildings to the additional park space and the extension of the 7 line into the area, residents and visitors alike will enjoy the many benefits of the new project.

Construction on the South Tower begins now and is expected to be complete in 2015.

The South Tower will be followed by the North Tower of 2.4 million square feet at the southwest corner of 10th Avenue and 33rd Street, and the two towers will be linked by a major retail complex.

MTA has begun work on the <a href="http://www.mta.info/capital/future/extension.php" target="_blank">new subway line extension</a> which will be finished by 2014 and provide improved access to the west side of Manhattan, the 3rd section of the High Line and the rest of the development when it is completed.

View of the new towers to be completed.

Existing view of Hudson Yards as seen from the High Line.

Existing view of Hudson Yards as seen from the High Line.

Overview map of the Hudson Yards development.