Why does it seem as if every developer is asking for sparkling glass curtain walls these days? Perhaps it's something in the water. More likely, the splash of attention gained by the Meier towers in the West Village has had a heavy influence on developer's view of the market, and maybe even caused them to reassess the viability of high design. Clearly there is now a comfort level (dare we say a demand?) among home buyers for stark, modernist, non-historically-based designs. Under inspection here is a project now rising at 423 West Street, just up the road from those Meier towers about which so much has been written. Hudson Blue (above right) is a ten-story 8-unit condo on a lot just 23.5 feet wide, formerly occupied by the Pit Stop Auto Repair garage. The architect for this blue-gray sliver of glass and steel is Patrick Han. Last year the developer Michael Yanko told The Villager that his ideal customers "want some privacy--not like the wild scene in the Meier buildings." We're not quite sure what that means exactly. Below is a rendering of the lobby. Click through to the Corcoran listing to view more images and take an animated virtual tour.
