The imposing building is located in the heart of New York City. According to a report, it has 1,500 construction defects.
Opened in 2015, it's one of New York. Standing at 425 meters tall and overlooking Central Park, it exudes luxury and glamour. Its units are worth millions of dollars. But the striking tower, designed by the prestigious Uruguayan architect Rafael Viñoly (who recently passed away), continues to generate controversy.
Its owners (millionaires and billionaires) launched a lawsuit before the New York Supreme Court for hundreds of construction defects.
Buyers include Jennifer Lopez and her ex-partner Alex Rodriguez, Saudi tycoon Fawaz Alhokair, and a member of the family that owns the Jose Cuervo tequila brand, according to The New York Times.
Rafael Viñoly's 432 Park Avenue promised a new paradigm in construction.
The condominium board of the 432 Park Avenue skyscraper sued building developers CIM Group and Macklowe Properties for $250 million, plus punitive damages. The board's engineering consultant reportedly found more than 1,500 construction and design defects in the building, "many of which are described as life safety issues," according to Fortune magazine.
Uruguayan Rafael Viñoly. The architect passed away this year. Photo AFP.
The board claims that the flooding, stuck elevators, and “horrible and annoying noise and vibration” in the building are due to design flaws.
The inauguration, in 2015, of the now controversial skyscraper.
They also claim that the building's sponsor, 56th and Park Owner LLC, failed to take into account the skyscraper's "remarkable height" when designing the building, Fortune added.
Impressive living room and spectacular view.
Although the elevators were designed to slow down when the wind hits the building, they move even slower than intended, causing them to shut down frequently, the investigation concluded. According to the lawsuit filed Thursday, there was an electrical explosion in June, the second since the skyscraper opened.
The incredible view from a unit in the building at 432 Park Avenue.
Jonathan Adelsberg, a partner at the law firm Herrick Feinstein, told The New York Times that finding fault with the building is “almost like peeling an onion. This is a work in progress to determine what is wrong.”
Luxurious atmosphere and magnificent view.
The building's sponsor defended itself in a statement: “Virtually all new constructions have maintenance and closure elements during the initial occupancy period. The developer remains committed to working collaboratively with the Owners' Association to resolve these issues.”.
The 432 Park Avenue skyscraper stands 1,396 feet (425 meters) tall and rises above Central Park. The gigantic building has had its share of problems in the past. In February, The New York Times reported that the building had “millions of dollars in water damage due to mechanical and plumbing issues; frequent elevator failures; and walls that creak like a ship’s galley.”.
The skyscraper has also been criticized for blocking sunlight in Central Park. In 2015, before the tower was built, The Washington Post reported that it would “transform New York far below, further darkening the city streets and casting long shadows that would stretch across Central Park.”.
Source: Clarin International.
