SOM’s glittering LEED Gold-seeking towers symbolize renewal of Manhattan’s Far West Side

<a href="http://inhabitat.com/tag/som" target="_blank">SOM</a> just unveiled new images of its Manhattan West project, a 5-million-square-foot <a href="http://inhabitat.com/tag/mixed-use-development/" target="_blank">mixed-use development</a> expected to inject new life into the once industrial far West Side of Manhattan. Developed by <a href="http://brookfieldofficeproperties.com" target="_blank">Brookfield Office Properties</a>, the glittering complex comprises a pair of office towers, a residential tower, retail and restaurant space, and two acres of public open space. When complete, the two 2-million-square-foot office towers will serve as new landmarks for Manhattan’s West Side and are designed to target <a href="http://inhabitat.com/tag/leed-gold" target="_blank">LEED Gold certification</a>.

Located between the Penn Station complex and the gateway to the Hudson Yards district, Manhattan West comprises two full city blocks bound between Ninth and Tenth Avenues as well as West 31st and West 33rd Streets.

The focal point of the development will be the two elegant and curved glass office towers that will stand at the entrance of Manhattan West’s central open space.

The taller of the two towers will rise to a height of 995 feet.

An 844-unit residential tower designed in collaboration with SLCE Architects will anchor the southwest portion of the site.

A series of public open spaces designed by landscape architecture firm Field Operations will stitch the buildings together and create a “dynamic pedestrian streetscape, connecting Moynihan Station to the far West Side of Manhattan by means of a walkable West 32nd Street extension.”

Construction began on Manhattan West in January 2013.

Manhattan West by SOM

Manhattan West by SOM

Manhattan West by SOM

Manhattan West by SOM