New York UES Tower Plan Would Replace 5 Buildings
What Is the 1097 First Avenue Tower Plan? The 1097 First Avenue tower plan is a land-use proposal that would replace five early 20th-century low-rise buildings on the Upper East Side with a 495-foot, 39-story mixed-use tower. The application was filed with the city by First Sigma De LLC, tied to First Sigma, a firm led by Jacob Orfali and Steven Orfali. It seeks a zoning change from commercial and light industrial rules to a high-density mixed-use district. The project would contain about 316,000 square feet. Plans show 354 homes, including 89 permanently affordable units under Mandatory Inclusionary Housing. Under the city’s affordable housing rules, 25 percent of the residential space would be set aside for permanent affordability. Similar debates in nearby cities have centered on inclusive development and whether new housing growth adequately protects existing communities. It also includes more than 42,000 square feet of community facility space and about 4,400 square feet of reta...