Sky

Completed in 2016, Sky pierces the New York City skyline. It stands tall at 605 West 42nd Street. Sky is a mixed-use building. It offers luxury rental residences and boasts an impressive 70,000 square feet of amenity space. Much of this space is managed by Life Time Fitness. Think multi-level gym, a luxurious water club and spa, a lap pool, and even a professional-size basketball court designed by Carmelo Anthony himself. Two zero-edge outdoor pools and an outdoor park add to the allure. Sky also houses retail space, including a Manhattan Volvo dealership. Designed by Goldstein, Hill & West Architects, this 676-foot skyscraper ranks as the 92nd tallest building in New York. The journey of Sky began in 2005 when the Moinian Group acquired the site. Originally a gas station and parking facility, the location was transformed. Construction began in 2008. Unfortunately, it stalled due to the 2009 recession. It earned the nickname “zombie project” until 2012. Development resumed in 2013 with a redesign by David Rockwell, replacing the original design by Costas Kondylis. Sky was finally completed in 2016. A legal battle brewed in 2015. Residents of the neighboring Atelier building sued the Moinian Group over access to amenities. They claimed their promised reciprocal access to Sky’s amenities was blocked. The construction of Sky cost a hefty $850 million. SL Green holds a minority stake in the building. Sky also faced criticism in 2020 for staff cuts that led to garbage pileups and security issues. Sky boasts the most rentals of any building in any borough of New York, with 1,175 units. The top floors house luxurious penthouses. The building’s basketball court has been a magnet for athletes. Notable residents have included Nina Agdal and former New York Knicks players Kristaps Porzingis and Sasha Vujačić. Sky isn’t just a residential tower. It’s an art gallery too. It features works by renowned artists like Yayoi Kusama and Günther Förg. Kusama’s bronze pumpkin sits in the Infinity Loop Motor Court, and two “Infinite Net” pieces grace the lobby fireplaces. Förg’s “Lead Paintings” line a wall near the mail gallery. In 2017, Sky hosted SKY ART NY, a temporary nonprofit art center showcasing Ugo Rondinone’s “I <3 John Giorno" exhibition.