Local Culture

Should 15 Penn Plaza’s Skyscraper Be Built?

The proposed ‘scraper would rival the Empire State Building

by Josh Kurp   |   Aug 23, 2010

Should 15 Penn Plaza’s Skyscraper Be Built?

What the skyline would look like if 15 Penn Plaza skyscraper is built (Photo: Flickr)

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Over at the website for the Municipal Art Society of New York, there’s a debate a-brewin’.

Here’s what MAS had to say:

Vornado Realty Trust wants to build a skyscraper at 15 Penn Plaza (where the Hotel Pennsylvania now stands), which would rival the Empire State Building in prominence in the city’s skyline. Vornado’s skyscraper, which was approved by the City Planning Commission in June, would be only 34 feet shorter than the Empire State Building. Because of the two buildings’ close proximity, 900 feet apart, 15 Penn Plaza would partially obstruct views of the Empire State Building.

There’s also a poll at the source as to whether the building should be allowed to be, well, built. As of right now, 29% say “Yes,” while 71% are opposed to the plan. What do you think?