NYU is backing out of a controversial plan to add a 38-story tower to a landmarked complex of three high-rises after world-renown architect I.M. Pei signaled that he would flunk the university’s addition to his award-winning design.
University officials yesterday said they would move the proposed tower to the site of a supermarket located nearby, but not within the “Silver Towers” complex designed by Pei that was granted landmark status by the city in 2008.
“From the beginning, we sought a design for the Silver Towers block that was most respectful of Mr. Pei’s vision. Some people disagreed with our proposed approach; others agreed,” said NYU vice president Lynne Brown.
“We believed that among those who agreed was Mr. Pei himself, who expressed no opposition to the concept of a tower on the landmarked site when we spoke with him directly in 2008,” said Brown. “Mr. Pei has now had a change of heart.”
Pei’s Silver Towers complex is on a super-block bounded by LaGuardia Place, Bleecker, West Houston and Mercer streets.