Architecture

"Dancing" copper towers offer luxury and peace of mind

"Dancing" copper towers offer luxury and peace of mind
The American Copper Buildings are connected by a sky bridge which includes amenities like a lap pool and hot tub
The American Copper Buildings are connected by a sky bridge which includes amenities like a lap pool and hot tub
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The American Copper Buildings' 761 residences range from studios to three-bedroom apartments, with 300 unique interior layouts
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The American Copper Buildings' 761 residences range from studios to three-bedroom apartments, with 300 unique interior layouts
The American Copper Buildings' apartments offer excellent views over Manhattan
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The American Copper Buildings' apartments offer excellent views over Manhattan
The American Copper Buildings are now available for rent
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The American Copper Buildings are now available for rent
Inside one of the American Copper Buildings' bathrooms
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Inside one of the American Copper Buildings' bathrooms
The American Copper Buildings rise to a height of 41 and 48 stories respectively
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The American Copper Buildings rise to a height of 41 and 48 stories respectively
Inside the American Copper Buildings
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Inside the American Copper Buildings
Even in Manhattan, which isn't exactly lacking in eye-catching skyscrapers, SHoP's aptly-named American Copper Buildings make an impact
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Even in Manhattan, which isn't exactly lacking in eye-catching skyscrapers, SHoP's aptly-named American Copper Buildings make an impact
The American Copper Buildings' facade will patina with time
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The American Copper Buildings' facade will patina with time
The American Copper Buildings are connected by a sky bridge which includes amenities like a lap pool and hot tub
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The American Copper Buildings are connected by a sky bridge which includes amenities like a lap pool and hot tub
The American Copper Buildings are connected by a 100 ft (30 m)-long sky bridge at a height of 300 ft (91 m)
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The American Copper Buildings are connected by a 100 ft (30 m)-long sky bridge at a height of 300 ft (91 m)
The American Copper Buildings are clad in 4.25 million pounds (1.9 m kg) of raw copper
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The American Copper Buildings are clad in 4.25 million pounds (1.9 m kg) of raw copper
Inside the American Copper Buildings
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Inside the American Copper Buildings
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Even in a place as packed with impressive skyscrapers as Manhattan, SHoP's American Copper Buildings stand out. Clad in 4.25 million pounds (1.9 m kg) of copper, the luxury residential buildings lean, in a way likened to dancing by the firm. They're also built with flooding in mind and will keep residents supplied with electricity should the grid go offline.

The American Copper Buildings rise to 41 and 48 stories respectively. According to developer JDS Development Group, their distinctive angled design isn't purely aesthetic but helps to maximize the view. Whatever, they look fantastic, and it'll be interesting for locals to watch them change color over time as the copper oxidizes.

The project was planned in the wake of Hurricane Sandy and aims to offer residents a degree of security should serious flooding or another disaster leave the area without power again (not an impossibility, it seems, given the towers' location along Manhattan's East River waterfront).

A space originally intended for a penthouse suite was given over to five gas-powered emergency generators that will offer residents enough electricity to continue to run their fridges, charge mobile devices, etc – plus use the elevator – for at least a week following a power outage.

Heating and ventilation systems, and other important equipment, are installed far above street-level to lessen the risk of flood water ruining them. Furthermore, the copper cladding starts at 20 ft (6 m) so won't be submerged – and thus damaged – even during a serious flood.

The American Copper Buildings' 761 residences range from studios to three-bedroom apartments, with 300 unique interior layouts
The American Copper Buildings' 761 residences range from studios to three-bedroom apartments, with 300 unique interior layouts

The flood resiliency is just one part of the American Copper Buildings' aim to provide a luxurious living experience. Each tower is accessed by a grand lobby with 25 ft (7.6 m)-tall ceilings overlooking a landscaped park and fountain. The buildings are connected by a 100 ft (30 m)-long three-story sky bridge at a height of 300 ft (91 m), and this includes amenities like a 75 ft (22 m) lap pool and hot tub, resident's bar and lounge.

Residents also enjoy access to a rock-climbing wall, gym, Turkish bath with plunge pool, and a private spa. The East Tower is topped by an infinity-edge swimming pool with outdoor shower, plus sky bar and other facilities.

The American Copper Buildings are undergoing a phased opening and some of the 761 total residences are now occupied. Rent starts at US$3,200 per month for studios, one-bedroom residences fetch $4,500, rising to $6,650 per month for the two-bedroom residences. The largest three-bedroom residences and penthouses aren't yet complete.

Sources: SHoP Architects, JDS Development Group

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3 comments
3 comments
fb36
I think the best shape for any skyscraper is octagonal, which is strong against wind and earthquakes from any direction, not to mention cheaper and better looking than most other designs.
Douglas Bennett Rogers
I would think that this building would have the HVAC backed up with gas turbine.
esar
All that copper, could they make an eddy current breaking escape system down the outside in the event of a fire?