NYC Supertalls Are Dangerous
Residents of Troubled Supertall Tower Seek $125 Million in Damages
https://www.nytimes.com/2021/09/23/realestate/432-park-avenue-lawsuit.html
NYC Department of Buildings records for 432 Park Avenue show today, September 27, 2021, 32 required construction items remain incomplete. Most are safety related. Copy: https://cryptome.org/000/432-Park-Avenue-Incompletes-2021-0927.pdf
However, this is not unusual for supertalls and high-rises in NYC, public records show nearly all of them have many incomplete required construction items, although marketed and occupied via Temporary Certificates of Occupancy, now a favorite means to bypass strict safety regulation.
September 25, 2021
In 2012 Mayor Bloomberg established the Development Hub in the Dept of Buildings to expedite examination of applications for new buildings and major alterations.
This unit has reviewed and approved such applications since then, including 432 Park Avenue and the other supertalls. This review primarily focuses on zoning compliance and not quality of construction.
Preceding this favorable treatment of development was Directive 2 of 1975 action by Mayor Koch to reduce examination of DoB applications. Approval stamps show this action.
Inspections of construction are conducted only by DoB appointment with the construction firm which allows preparation for and management of the field process.
DoB records of tall buildings show that few are sufficiently complete to be granted a final Certificate of Occupancy, instead Temporary Certificate of Occupancies are repeatedly granted even though the buildings are being marketed and occupied.
This deficiency applies to 432 Park Avenue and all the other supertalls in NYC as well as other structures. A look at these public records show that most incomplete items are safety related. The NYC Building Code requires that supertalls receive a structural engineering peer review to verify design is acceptable.
The DoB Chief Structural engineer has written an article questioning these peer reviews.
Supertalls also provide devices to reduce adverse impact of sway called dampers, mass tuned or sloshed. These devices are not reviewed by DoB.
September 24, 2021
Structural Engineer: WSP Cantor Seinuk PE
Consulting Structural Engineer: Schlaich Bergermann and Partner LP
Structural Peer Review: Leslie E. Robertson Associates
Executive Architect: SLCE Architects, LLC
Design Architect: Rafael Vinoly Architects