The leaning tower of Manhattan: FiDi skyscraper still unfinished nearly a ... trends now
Despite boasting one of the most iconic skylines in the world, Manhattan has quietly played host to an embarrassing construction fiasco for almost a decade.
Unofficially dubbed 'The Leaning Tower of FiDi', a catastrophic high-rise near Wall Street has plagued downtown Manhattan's lucrative property market.
The $300 million project descended into disaster when developers realized the building had a 3-inch tilt, leading to a tumultuous spiral of legal battles, architectural scraps and even the death of a builder.
The luxury skyscraper - dubbed 1 Seaport - was once one of the most lucrative real estate deals in the city, with prospective residents scrambling to secure its condos - which reportedly cost up to $20million - after being promised lavish amenities including a health spa, fitness center and infinity pool. Would-be tenants were even offered a luxury yacht service at no extra cost.
But while holding down a prime real estate spot over lower Manhattan's East River, the view over the waterfront is yet to be enjoyed by a single occupant after the stop-start construction was last halted in 2020.
The One Seaport structure, pictured, has been on hold since 2020 amid mountain lawsuits and numerous controversies
The unfinished skyscraper was intended to be among the most luxurious in NYC, but it has been an eyesore on the skyline for almost a decade
As early as 2007, developers had been jockeying to add to the lower Manhattan vista, joining other structures including the One World Trade Center and the Chrystler Building.
After years of negotiations, construction giant Fortis Property Group bought the plot of land in 2013 for $64 million, with their ambitions seemingly coming to fruition when work on the skyscraper officially began in July 2015. The hefty sum was set to bring in huge returns, with 80 condos estimated to sell for a total of $272 million.
But the development stumbled at the first hurdle when a problem with the foundations allegedly caused the high rise to lean around 8cm to the north, according to Commercial Observer.
Pizzarotti LLC, the building's contractor, launched a lawsuit against the developer, which was swiftly met with a counter suit from Fortis as the two went to battle over the doomed skyscraper.
While most foundations in large cities such as Manhattan are constructed using a 'piling' method to carefully excavate and brace the soil, therefore protecting the foundations of surrounding buildings, those who worked on the project allegedly took a different approach.
Instead, they reportedly decided to use a 'soil improvement' technique, where chemicals are used to improve the foundation's strength. Fortis, however, has claimed Pizzarotti insufficiently surveyed the project, resulting in the 'slight misalignment'.
As construction continued, the foundation technique allegedly caused the property to 'settle' at an angle, leading to a slate of problems that are still unresolved. Fortis claims that the misalignment has no impact on the safety of the structure.
Years on, stunning images of the structure from New York YIMBY reveal the development is still a skeleton of its once-great potential, where luxury apartments are instead left open the elements and million-dollar amenities are yet to be installed.
The 670-foot high rise has been left to rot as it looms over Manhattan's East River
The development is still a skeleton of its once-great potential, where luxury apartments are instead left open the elements and million-dollar amenities are yet to be installed
Residents were promised lavish amenities including a health spa, fitness center, infinity pool, and even a luxury yacht service at no extra cost
Alongside the most pressing issue of the skyscraper's unfortunate lean, the development has been hit by a number of scandals over its decade of struggle.
In 2015, developer Jack
