Construction Nears Completion on Two Manhattan West in Midtown West, Manhattan

By: Michael Young and Matt Pruznick 8:00 am on December 22, 2022

Leading off the top ten of our year-end countdown of the tallest buildings under construction in New York is Two Manhattan West, a 935-foot-tall commercial skyscraper in the Manhattan West master plan in Midtown West. Designed by Skidmore Owings & Merrill and developed by Brookfield, the 58-story structure rises directly south of its taller fraternal twin, One Manhattan West, and will yield 1.9 million square feet of office space. W&W Glass in the facade contractor and AECOM Tishman is the general contractor for the property, which is located at the northwest corner of West 31st Street and Ninth Avenue.

Manhattan West. Photo by Michael Young

Manhattan West. Photo by Michael Young

Two Manhattan West. Photo by Michael Young

Manhattan West. Photo by Michael Young

Two Manhattan West. Photo by Michael Young

Two Manhattan West. Photo by Michael Young

Work has moved closer to completion since our last update in June, with crews completing the dismantling the construction elevator from the eastern elevation facing Ninth Avenue. The gap in the glass curtain wall where it was attached will soon be all filled in, finishing off the exterior of the tower.

Two Manhattan West. Photo by Michael Young

The crown is complete and will eventually have the same lighting system, made up of thin LED strips, seen with One Manhattan West, while also being provided with a similar building maintenance unit (BMU) by R&R Scaffolding Ltd.

Two Manhattan West. Photo by Michael Young

Below are photographs of the complex from early December as the hoist was almost fully removed.

Two Manhattan West. Photo by Michael Young

Manhattan West. Photo by Michael Young

Two Manhattan West. Photo by Michael Young

Two Manhattan West. Photo by Michael Young

Construction is still progressing on the base of the skyscraper, where large sections of brushed metal paneling are being installed over the arched supports that frame the lobby. This work should wrap up in the coming weeks, followed by the removal of the sidewalk fencing around the perimeter of the property.

Two Manhattan West. Photo by Michael Young

Two Manhattan West. Photo by Michael Young

Two Manhattan West. Photo by Michael Young

Two Manhattan West. Photo by Michael Young

Two Manhattan West. Photo by Michael Young

Two Manhattan West. Photo by Michael Young

The below rendering offers a preview of the finished look of the lobby and the surrounding landscaped plaza.

View of lobby and entryway at Two Manhattan West. Rendering courtesy of Skidmore, Owings & Merrill

Two Manhattan West is currently about 80 percent leased, anchored by law firm Cravath, Swaine & Moore, which will occupy 481,000 square feet. Other tenants include law firm Crowell & Moring with 71,000 square feet, accounting firm KPMG with 450,000 square feet—the largest deal signed in Manhattan this year—hedge fund D.E. Shaw with 283,000 square feet, and law firm Clifford Chance with 144,000 square feet.

Amenities include a 3,200-square-foot landscaped terrace, bike storage, conference centers, and a fitness and wellness center.

Two Manhattan West is anticipated to welcome tenants in the first half of 2023.

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