World's skinniest skyscraper in Manhattan is ready for residents to move in


Katy Gillett
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Dubai might be home to the world's tallest tower, but now Manhattan is where you'll find the planet's skinniest skyscraper.

Shop Architects' 111 West 57th Street, or Steinway Tower, has recently had the final touches put on its exterior cladding, meaning it's now ready for residents to move in, according to developers.

It is tall, reaching 435 metres, and very thin, with a mere 17.5-metre width, and there is only one residence per floor. The height-to-width ratio is 24:1, meaning it's considered the world's thinnest supertall skyscraper. It's also the second tallest in the Western Hemisphere.

For comparison, the Burj Khalifa is 45 metres wide, while New York's 432 Park Avenue is 28.5 metres.

The New Century Global Centre, in Chengdu, China, is a whopping 399 metres wide, and was named the largest building in the world in 2013.

The tower is located on Billionaires' Row in Midtown Manhattan and has been under construction for some time. Plans were first announced in 2013 and the project broke ground the next year, but construction was stalled, with financial reasons being cited in 2017.

There are 60 apartments in total on the 84 floors and in the nearby Steinway Hall building. There's a triplex penthouse at the top. These range in price from $7.5 million for a studio to $66m for the penthouse, according to property listings.

"As New Yorkers, we are incredibly proud to add a new icon to our skyline," Gregg Pasquarelli, founding principal at Shop Architects, told design publication Dezeen.

"Any preconceived notions that our team had about skyscrapers of New York City developments were replaced with an opportunity to do something that had never been done before."

The tapered building, which draws inspiration from New York's Art Deco era, features terracotta tiles, with glass walls facing Central Park or Lower Manhattan, depending on which side you're on.

The tapered tower is inspired by New York's Art Deco era. Photo: SHoP Architects / David Sundberg / Esto
The tapered tower is inspired by New York's Art Deco era. Photo: SHoP Architects / David Sundberg / Esto

It's filled with luxury amenities such as a 25-metre swimming pool and a private dining room. A double-height fitness centre also features a terrace.

The tower is part of Steinway Hall, a historic 1925 building that was the home of piano maker Steinway & Sons, as well as a concert hall.

29 of the world's most famous skyscrapers — in pictures:

  • The $5.7 billion Marina Bay Sands hotel and resort, left, (L) is world-renowned and frequently tops world's most beautiful skyscraper lists. AFP
    The $5.7 billion Marina Bay Sands hotel and resort, left, (L) is world-renowned and frequently tops world's most beautiful skyscraper lists. AFP
  • Dubai's Burj Khalifa is the world's tallest building at 829.8 metres high. AFP
    Dubai's Burj Khalifa is the world's tallest building at 829.8 metres high. AFP
  • Willis Tower, formerly Sears Tower, was the tallest building in the world until 1998. To this day, it is the tallest property in Chicago. AFP
    Willis Tower, formerly Sears Tower, was the tallest building in the world until 1998. To this day, it is the tallest property in Chicago. AFP
  • A view of the Transamerica Pyramid building on August 19, 2019 in San Francisco, California. It was completed in 1972 and was the tallest building in San Francisco until 2018. AFP
    A view of the Transamerica Pyramid building on August 19, 2019 in San Francisco, California. It was completed in 1972 and was the tallest building in San Francisco until 2018. AFP
  • Kuwait's tallest building is Al Hamra Tower, left. AFP
    Kuwait's tallest building is Al Hamra Tower, left. AFP
  • The Evolution Tower is in Moscow, Russia. Formerly known as Wedding Palace and City Palace, its twisted, futuristic form designed by British architect Tony Kettle is what makes it stand out. Getty Images
    The Evolution Tower is in Moscow, Russia. Formerly known as Wedding Palace and City Palace, its twisted, futuristic form designed by British architect Tony Kettle is what makes it stand out. Getty Images
  • While Torre Glories only has 38 stories, it has famously redefined the Barcelona skyline. Alamy Stock Photo
    While Torre Glories only has 38 stories, it has famously redefined the Barcelona skyline. Alamy Stock Photo
  • Formerly known as London Bridge Tower, the Shard is a 72-storey skyscraper that's become one of the most recognisable buildings on the English capital's skyline. AFP
    Formerly known as London Bridge Tower, the Shard is a 72-storey skyscraper that's become one of the most recognisable buildings on the English capital's skyline. AFP
  • Bahrain World Trade Centre was the first skyscraper in the world to integrate wind turbines and has even won awards for sustainability. AFP
    Bahrain World Trade Centre was the first skyscraper in the world to integrate wind turbines and has even won awards for sustainability. AFP
  • Kingdom Centre Tower in Riyadh is the world's third-tallest building with a hole in it. Getty Images
    Kingdom Centre Tower in Riyadh is the world's third-tallest building with a hole in it. Getty Images
  • The Taipei 101, formerly known as the Taipei Financial Centre, is Taiwan's tallest building, and was the world's tallest until 2009. AFP
    The Taipei 101, formerly known as the Taipei Financial Centre, is Taiwan's tallest building, and was the world's tallest until 2009. AFP
  • The Petronas Twin Towers in Kuala Lumpur were for six years the tallest in the world, until 2004. AFP
    The Petronas Twin Towers in Kuala Lumpur were for six years the tallest in the world, until 2004. AFP
  • Shanghai Tower in Pudong area, Shanghai is the tallest building in China and the world's second tallest building. EPA
    Shanghai Tower in Pudong area, Shanghai is the tallest building in China and the world's second tallest building. EPA
  • The Chrysler Building has been a key part of the New York City skyline for more than 90 years. Between 1930 and 1931, it was actually the world's tallest building. AFP
    The Chrysler Building has been a key part of the New York City skyline for more than 90 years. Between 1930 and 1931, it was actually the world's tallest building. AFP
  • The China Central Television Tower is in the central business district in Beijing. It's referred to as an 'anti-skyscraper' because of its unique design. AFP
    The China Central Television Tower is in the central business district in Beijing. It's referred to as an 'anti-skyscraper' because of its unique design. AFP
  • The Bank of China Tower in Hong Kong was designed by Pritzker Prize-winning Chinese-American architect I M Pei and the triangular glass building was for a few years the tallest building in the world outside the US. Getty Images
    The Bank of China Tower in Hong Kong was designed by Pritzker Prize-winning Chinese-American architect I M Pei and the triangular glass building was for a few years the tallest building in the world outside the US. Getty Images
  • Home to three schools, Tokyo's Mode Gakuen Cocoon Tower boasts a unique cocoon-inspired design. Getty Images
    Home to three schools, Tokyo's Mode Gakuen Cocoon Tower boasts a unique cocoon-inspired design. Getty Images
  • Hotel & Casino Grand Lisboa in Macau boasts unique lotus flower-shaped architecture. AFP
    Hotel & Casino Grand Lisboa in Macau boasts unique lotus flower-shaped architecture. AFP
  • The Turning Torso in Malmo, Sweden is the tallest building in Scandinavia, but it was also the world's first "twisting" tower. AFP
    The Turning Torso in Malmo, Sweden is the tallest building in Scandinavia, but it was also the world's first "twisting" tower. AFP
  • 30 St Mary Axe is a 41-storey office tower that cost £138m to make. Getty Images
    30 St Mary Axe is a 41-storey office tower that cost £138m to make. Getty Images
  • The Shanghai World Financial Centre is among the top 15 tallest buildings in the world and among the top 10 in China. AFP
    The Shanghai World Financial Centre is among the top 15 tallest buildings in the world and among the top 10 in China. AFP
  • Istanbul Sapphire Tower is among the Turkish city's tallest buildings and was formerly its tallest until 2016. Getty Images
    Istanbul Sapphire Tower is among the Turkish city's tallest buildings and was formerly its tallest until 2016. Getty Images
  • The Lotte Corp. World Tower is the tallest building in South Korea, and the fifth-tallest in the world. Getty Images
    The Lotte Corp. World Tower is the tallest building in South Korea, and the fifth-tallest in the world. Getty Images
  • The Ryugyong Hotel is the world's tallest unoccupied building. It's based in Pyongyang, North Korea. AFP
    The Ryugyong Hotel is the world's tallest unoccupied building. It's based in Pyongyang, North Korea. AFP
  • The Gran Torre Santiago, formerly known as Torre Gran Costanera, part of the Costanera complex, is the tallest skyscraper in South America. Getty Images
    The Gran Torre Santiago, formerly known as Torre Gran Costanera, part of the Costanera complex, is the tallest skyscraper in South America. Getty Images
  • Dubai's Burj Al Arab is the tallest all-suite hotel in the world, one of the most recognisable buildings in the Middle East and only 60m shorter than the Empire State Building. AFP
    Dubai's Burj Al Arab is the tallest all-suite hotel in the world, one of the most recognisable buildings in the Middle East and only 60m shorter than the Empire State Building. AFP
  • New York's One World Trade Centre is the tallest building America and the Western Hemisphere, and the sixth-tallest in the world. Getty Images
    New York's One World Trade Centre is the tallest building America and the Western Hemisphere, and the sixth-tallest in the world. Getty Images
  • For 40 years, the steel-framed, 103-storey Empire State Building was the tallest in the world, until 1971, and remains to this day one of the best examples of Modernist Art Deco design. AFP
    For 40 years, the steel-framed, 103-storey Empire State Building was the tallest in the world, until 1971, and remains to this day one of the best examples of Modernist Art Deco design. AFP
  • The 75-storey corporate headquarters of the Abu Dhabi National Oil Company, designed by HOK. Reuters
    The 75-storey corporate headquarters of the Abu Dhabi National Oil Company, designed by HOK. Reuters
  • Construction outside the ICD Brookfield Place building on Al Mustaqbal Street, Dubai Photo: Reem Mohammed/The National
    Construction outside the ICD Brookfield Place building on Al Mustaqbal Street, Dubai Photo: Reem Mohammed/The National
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Focus on gratitude: And do so deeply, he says. “Think of one to three things a day that you’re grateful for. It needs to be specific, too, don’t just say ‘air.’ Really think about it. If you’re grateful for, say, what your parents have done for you, that will motivate you to do more for the world.”

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UAE finals day: Friday, April 13 at Rugby Park, Dubai Sports City

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Where to donate in the UAE

The Emirates Charity Portal

You can donate to several registered charities through a “donation catalogue”. The use of the donation is quite specific, such as buying a fan for a poor family in Niger for Dh130.

The General Authority of Islamic Affairs & Endowments

The site has an e-donation service accepting debit card, credit card or e-Dirham, an electronic payment tool developed by the Ministry of Finance and First Abu Dhabi Bank.

Al Noor Special Needs Centre

You can donate online or order Smiles n’ Stuff products handcrafted by Al Noor students. The centre publishes a wish list of extras needed, starting at Dh500.

Beit Al Khair Society

Beit Al Khair Society has the motto “From – and to – the UAE,” with donations going towards the neediest in the country. Its website has a list of physical donation sites, but people can also contribute money by SMS, bank transfer and through the hotline 800-22554.

Dar Al Ber Society

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Dubai Cares provides several options for individuals and companies to donate, including online, through banks, at retail outlets, via phone and by purchasing Dubai Cares branded merchandise. It is currently running a campaign called Bookings 2030, which allows people to help change the future of six underprivileged children and young people.

Emirates Airline Foundation

Those who travel on Emirates have undoubtedly seen the little donation envelopes in the seat pockets. But the foundation also accepts donations online and in the form of Skywards Miles. Donated miles are used to sponsor travel for doctors, surgeons, engineers and other professionals volunteering on humanitarian missions around the world.

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On the Emirates Red Crescent website you can choose between 35 different purposes for your donation, such as providing food for fasters, supporting debtors and contributing to a refugee women fund. It also has a list of bank accounts for each donation type.

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Sheikh Mohammed bin Rashid Al Maktoum launched the Noor Dubai Foundation a decade ago with the aim of eliminating all forms of preventable blindness globally. You can donate Dh50 to support mobile eye camps by texting the word “Noor” to 4565 (Etisalat) or 4849 (du).

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4. Spain 15 faults
5. Great Britain 17 faults
6. New Zealand 20 faults
7. Italy 26 faults

Updated: April 14, 2022, 12:35 PM