Norman Foster and Aby Rosen Receive Building Approval

The building at 980 Madison Avenue is the current hot-spot for construction controversy in New York City lately.

British architect, Lord Norman Foster, and German real estate tycoon, Aby Rosen, have found themselves up against the New York City Landmarks Preservation Commission (LPC) as they go back and forth for the approval of an elaborate expansion of their six-story building on Madison Avenue, between 76 and 77 Streets.

Two years ago, LPC rejected a proposal made by the moguls to turn their six-story building into a 30-story glass building. After much public criticism and scathing reviews from some of New York’s highly acclaimed critics, Foster and Rosen later made some significant alterations to the plan, only to be again rejected by the stringent LPC committee.

Despite these setbacks over the past few years, this week Foster and Rosen received some long-awaited good news as their most recent plan, which includes an addition limit of 108 feet, was approved by the committee by a 7-to-1 vote. It’s likely that the pair will return to the drawing boards to examine what their next move will be after adjusting for this newly approved aspect to their construction plan.

Via: The Real Deal