A 70-storey skyscraper called The Orchard designed by architecture studio Perkins Eastman has become the tallest skyscraper in the New York City borough of Queens.
The Orchard residential skyscraper by Perkins Eastman is situated on the edge of the Long Island City district of Queens, an area near the East River that has experienced a boom in residential skyscraper construction over the last decade.
It recently topped out at over 823 feet (250 metres), making it the tallest skyscraper in the borough, unseating the Hill West Architects-designed Skyline Tower, which has a height of 762 feet (232 metres).
Next to a massive train depot, among a cluster of recently built skyscrapers, the structure consists of a massive podium covered partially by the tower portion. The rest of the podium is only a few storeys tall, dedicated to parking and will feature a large green space.
The website for the building, run by developers BLDG Management Company and Corcoran New Development, says the 60,000-square-foot (5,574 square metres) green space will be "New York's biggest backyard".
According to renderings, its skyscraper portion will be a largely symmetrical tower with two distinct vertical aspects distinguished by slight differentiation in the colouration of the curtain wall – which characterises most of the facade – and the floorplates.
The thinner of the two vertical elements will have two steps near the top to make room for rooftop amenity spaces.
Its crown will span the wider of the vertical elements and have large, lit panels that will create a geometric effect.
The developers have announced that the residential portion will be complemented by a bounteous array of amenities including three pickleball courts, an orchard grove, and a dog park. The topmost floor will be dedicated to a sky lounge.
BLDG Management president Lloyd Goldman said that the skyscraper will set "a new standard for luxury residences" in Queens.
"Now officially the tallest tower in the borough, the Orchard is designed to offer residents an unparalleled living experience," he said.
"As we move closer to completion of the premier rental address in Queens, The Orchard reflects our commitment to creating a home that is not only sophisticated by also deeply connected to the vibrant energy of Long Island City."
Queens is the second most populated borough in New York City, and if it were its own city, it would be the fourth most populated in the United States.
Last year, SHoP Architects completed the tallest skyscraper in neighbouring Brooklyn, the 1,066-foot-tall (325 metre) Brooklyn Tower.
In Manhattan, Foster + Partners' all-electric supertall skyscraper for JP Morgan is nearing completion.
The images are by Binyan.