At 85, Siza Vieira designs his first US building

The Portuguese architect Álvaro Siza Vieira, Pritzker Prize of 1992, was hired to design a residential tower in Manhattan, New York. The final project was presented this week at Lincoln Center in New York City.

© Álvaro Siza Vieira

The launching ceremony of the first stone has taken place a few months ago and the construction of the building should be completed within a year. The tower was commissioned by two luxury New York real estate agents, Leny and Sumaida + Khurana.

The drawing task, which took over a year to complete, projects a 120 meters long structure which will incorporate 37 floors located at 611 West 56th Street, in Manhattan, in the Hell’s Kitchen neighbourhood known for its high concentration of bars and restaurants.

The building will consist of approximately 80 residences between T1, T4 and penthouses. It also includes a garden on the roof, several private terraces, a spa, playground, and a movie theatre, among other facilities.

During the construction process, Portuguese works of art will be exhibited. An art gallery will be dedicated to the project followed by the publication of a book documenting the construction process.

Álvaro Siza Vieira is one of the most renowned Portuguese architects and one of the great living figures of contemporary world architecture and will now add his name to the list of famous architects who have left their mark on New York City, such as Frank Lloyd Wright or Frank Gehry.