At right is a rendering of the 17-story residential building planned for the parking lot at 4 West 21st Street just steps off Fifth Avenue in the Flatiron District. The design by architects Hugh Hardy and Ariel Fausto contains 62 loft apartments. According to eOculus the structure will total 93,000 square-feet, include 105 parking spaces, and be scheduled for completion in early 2006. The design was approved by the Landmarks Commission late last year and also earned the support of both the Municipal Arts Society and Community Board 5.
The design is a clean, contemporary interpretation of a loft building. We particularly like the glazing pattern, and can only assume from the rendering that the top four floors are appropriately set back. We're also glad the project includes parking because the area tends to be overrun with shoppers and, at night, by club-goers. One thing to watch is how any influx of residents to these blocks between Fifth and Sixth might clash with the somewhat thumping nightlife that has colonized the area. A safe prediction: over time well-heeled loft buyers will eventually gain the upper-hand in the ongoing noise-and-liquor-license wars.
