The imposing concrete facade of Kips Bay Tower North rises before you. It’s a testament to brutalist architecture. A style some love some hate.
Kips Bay Tower North is one of two buildings forming the Kips Bay Towers complex. It was completed in 1965. Architects I M Pei S J Kessler and James Ingo Freed designed this behemoth. It was originally conceived as middle-income rentals. It became a condominium complex in the mid-1980s.
The story of Kips Bay Tower North begins long before its construction. It started as a slum clearance project. The land once housed the first Phipps Houses. Those were three six-story tenements. They were built by the Phipps family in 1906. The old tenements made way for Kips Bay Towers.
The initial plan wasn’t this impressive structure. It involved five fourteen-story residential buildings. There would have also been shops and a professional building. Pei’s vision changed. He reduced the number of buildings. He created a three-acre private garden.
Even the garden has a story. It was once open to the public. It was closed in 1983 due to safety concerns about the homeless population. This decision led to some controversy. It caused backlash from the surrounding community.
Pei initially wanted a Picasso sculpture in the garden. William Zeckendorf the head of the development company offered a choice. He said it could be a Picasso or fifty saplings. Pei chose the trees.
The construction itself was ambitious. It used a window-truss-wall concept. Pei personally checked every bag of concrete. This ensured a consistent facade. The building’s facade acts as a sunshade for the apartments. The recesses in the facade technically count as balconies. This allowed them to qualify for FHA funding.
Kips Bay Tower North is more than just apartments. It’s a piece of New York City history. It’s a symbol of urban renewal. It’s a reminder of architectural choices. It’s a vibrant community home to thousands of residents.
Today Kips Bay Tower North continues its life. It stands as a bold statement. It’s a testament to the vision of its creators. It shows how a city can reinvent itself. And you stand before it a witness to its captivating history.