NYU’s Billion-Dollar Glass Building

Construction is expensive anywhere, but construction costs in New York City are astronomical. It should come as little surprise, therefore, that NYU’s newest academic building will cash out at a cool $1B. The building, known as 181 Mercer Street, will have nearly 750,000 square feet of space and will feature a swimming pool, a gym, multiple theaters, student and faculty housing, classroom space and practice space, all tucked behind an all-glass façade.

The all-glass façade is both practical and symbolic. When the university sought to expand its footprint beyond its current campus, its plans were met with stiff opposition from its nearby neighbors. The issue was litigated and the University prevailed. The all-glass façade is meant to help heal the rift that was opened between the University and the surrounding community, some members of which wanted the land to be used as a park. As a nod to the community, the building will also feature about 8,000 square feet of space designated for community or public use.

The University acquired the space on which the new building will sit in the 1960’s. To create enough space for the new “super building”, the University needed to demolish an existing recreation building, which was completed in August 2016.

Even though the new building’s size seems immense, it’s actually only about 80% of what the city would allow on a parcel of that size. The building’s glass façade will provide a significant amount of natural light. It will also have a “green roof” and low-flow plumbing, as well as a rainwater runoff retention system.

According to NYU, the building is much needed and long overdue. While the facility does replace an athletic and recreation building, it also expands the available instructional space and relieve currently overcrowded classrooms. According to NYU, the building will be ready for use in 2021.

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Photo Credit: Joe Mannion, via Flickr.com