Frank Gehry's Undulating NYC Highrise Was Just Named The World's Best New Skyscraper

Business Insider ^ | 12/04/2012 | Megan Willett

[SeekAndFind]

Each year, the world's newest skyscrapers are pitted against each other for the Emporis Skyscraper Award. Chosen for its aesthetic and functional design by the team of editors from the construction project database, the winner of this year's renowned prize was none other than 8 Spruce Street in New York City.

Also known as New York by Gehry and The Beekman, 8 Spruce Street was designed by Frank Gehry and completed in 2011. It is the first skyscraper by the renowned architect, and won over the Emporis jury with its undulating stainless steel exterior.

"8 Spruce Street stands out even in Manhattan's already remarkable skyline," the Emporis jury said of its choice, culled from 220 skyscrapers completed in 2011. "It is a major new architectural landmark for New York."

It is not the only of Manhattan's famous buildings to win the award — the Hearst Tower won in 2006 as well as the Sofitel New York Hotel back in 2000.

[liberalh8ter]

I think it looks fascinating in photos. Like any good work of art, it makes you stop and ponder its image.

[9YearLurker]

Yep. They build it because they can—and then get awards for it. Meanwhile millions of people have to live with that sense of disordered, overhead-crashing-down-on-them, doom.

Architecture, like art in general, lost its way and hasn’t been able to get on track for decades and decades now.

[bobby.223]

Amazing is right! Before retirement building those suckers was my gig but never anything that looked like that one! That must have been quite a different type challenge to all of the tradesmen, project managers and archys involved.