Iconic building in New York faces cracks and million-dollar disputes

A symbol of luxury in Manhattan, the 432 Park Avenue building is now experiencing turbulent times. The building, which stands out for its white concrete facade and panoramic views of the city, has accumulated cracks, leaks and complaints from residents, as well as million-dollar legal disputes in less than ten years since the end of its construction. Opened in 2015, the 102-story skyscraper was built on “Billionaires’ Row”, a region that contains some of the most expensive addresses in the world. At the time, its 125 units generated more than US$2.5 billion in sales. Celebrities such as Jennifer Lopez, Alex Rodriguez and Saudi tycoon Fawaz Alhokair were among the buyers. The building was designed by businessman Harry Macklowe and designed by Uruguayan architect Rafael Viñoly, and was born with the ambition of being the tallest residential building on the planet. The interior was designed by architect Deborah Berke, who valued natural light and noble materials. Apartments include oak floors, marble kitchens with Miele appliances, and bathtubs positioned in front of the building’s trademark three-meter-square windows. A few years after opening, complaints arose of leaks, creaking and shaking during high winds. But that was just the beginning of a series of problems in the building. See the videos that are trending on g1 In 2019, an electrical outage on Thanksgiving Day left residents trapped in elevators. Recent reports indicate cracks and losses of concrete on the highest floors, which raises doubts about the durability of the material. Experts warn that without repairs (which could cost hundreds of millions of dollars), the building could become uninhabitable or pose a risk to pedestrians. “Color or cracks” The origin of the problem may lie in one of the project’s main aesthetic features: the white concrete facade. Traditionally, concrete is gray, a color resulting from the presence of iron oxides. Changing the composition of concrete to change its appearance can compromise strength and durability (a concern reported by engineers even before the work began, according to documents obtained by The New York Times). In 2012, a group of architects, engineers and real estate executives gathered in a concrete courtyard in Gowanus, Brooklyn to test the mix that would shape the facade of 432 Park Avenue. Among those present were representatives from Macklowe Properties, CIM Group and Rafael Viñoly Architects. Alerts soon emerged of apparent cracks in the project’s test columns. The concrete needed to be strong enough to support a 425-meter tower, but white enough to meet the design. Internal emails show that, months before, there were already disagreements about the material specifications. Engineers exchanged messages with photos of failures and suggestions for adjustments. One of them, Silvian Marcus, from WSP, recommended the use of fly ash, an additive that improves the durability of concrete. The proposal was rejected. “They won’t accept fly ash (the color is too dark),” replied engineer Hezi Mena, also from WSP. Marcus’s rebuttal summed up the project’s technical and aesthetic impasse: “Color or cracks.” The email exchange is part of the legal actions filed against the construction companies. The condominium opened two lawsuits, alleging that the construction company sold defective units and hid structural flaws. CIM Group declared that the building was built by high-level professionals, classifying allegations of deterioration as “baseless and defamatory”. Meanwhile, some owners are trying to sell their units, but to no avail. Macklowe himself put three apartments up for sale, but withdrew the offers after being unable to repay loans.

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