Get your cameras ready: The most photo-friendly NYC projects

Skip the Flatiron Building and check out these 10 new developments instead

Clockwise from top left: Columbia University's Medical and Graduate Education Building​ (credit: bldgNYC), Carmel Place (credit: narchitects_pllc), VIA West 57 (credit: field_condition) and 837 Washington (credit: Gloria Tso/trdny)
Clockwise from top left: Columbia University's Medical and Graduate Education Building​ (credit: bldgNYC), Carmel Place (credit: narchitects_pllc), VIA West 57 (credit: field_condition) and 837 Washington (credit: Gloria Tso/trdny)

A rapidly-evolving skyline like New York’s means the supply of Instagram-worthy locations is always being replenished.

Soaring supertalls and glitzy retail spaces are inspiring locals and tourists to look up and soak it all in, with all the requisite filters and hashtags.

But to stand out, we’d suggest skipping the staples such as 1 WTC and the Flatiron Building, and heading instead to some of these new developments.

American Copper Buildings | 626 First Avenue in Kips Bay
Developer: JDS Development Group [TRDataCustom]

Before JDS officially dubbed them the American Copper Buildings, the rental project at 626 First Avenue was often referred to as the “dancing towers.” Apart from the gyrations that make it stand out from other skyscrapers in Manhattan, the SHoP Architects-designed project’s copper-clad facade gives off a subtle glow around sunset.

A photo posted by The Real Deal (@trdny) on

VIA West 57 | 625 West 57th Street in Midtown
Developer: Durst Organization

The tetrahedral shape of Durst’s VIA West 57 carves out a unique space among the boxy buildings on Manhattan’s West side. From across the Hudson River, the facade of the Bjarke Ingels-designed rental appears smooth. But zoom in a bit, and a network of compact balconies comprised of sharp edges reveals itself.

XOCO 325 | 325 West Broadway in Soho
Developer: DDG

In an ode to its roots as a Tootsie Roll factory, DDG named its condo in Soho after the Catalan word for chocolate. Sweeter than the name is the building’s facade, where vertical gardens creep up a 10-story cast aluminum frame, set in front of a glass curtain.

The Roy and Diana Vagelos Center | 98 Haven Street in Washington Heights
Developer: Columbia University

Designed ​by Diller Scofidio + Renfro and Gensler, the 14-story Columbia University’s Medical and Graduate Education Building ​is deeply polarizing, attracting both praise and sneers from architecture aficionados.

520 West 28th Street in Chelsea
Developer: Related Companies

The High Line is home to some of the boldest new architecture in the city, including Related’s spaceship-like condo, which was designed by the late Zaha Hadid. The celebrated architect’s distinctive style can already be seen in the building’s dramatic curves and futuristic aesthetic.

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New York by Gehry | 8 Spruce Street in Financial District
Developer: Forest City Ratner

Topping out at 76 stories and housing more than 900 units, 8 Spruce’s contortions make it one of the most distinctive skyscrapers in the Financial District. The Forest City Ratner-developed tower was the tallest residential tower in New York City until it was dethroned by One57.

Downtown Deconstructivism.

A photo posted by Jaye Kaye (@jayetothekaye) on

837 Washington in the Meatpacking District
Developer: Thor Equities and Taconic Investment Partners

A designed steel exoskeleton sits atop an original two-story Art Modern-style industrial depot at Thor and Taconic’s flashy new venture. Morris Adjmi Architects drew inspiration for the building’s rustic look from its next-door neighbor, the High Line.

Carmel Place | 335 East 27th Street in Kips Bay
Developer: Monadnock Development

In a city chock-full of hulking towers, Monadnock Development’s 55-unit Carmel Place stands out for how petite it is. The Kips Bay tower at 335 East 27th Street is New York City’s first new-construction micro-apartment building, but more of them could pop up in the future — demand for these tiny dwelling developments is red hot.

56 Leonard in Tribeca
Developer: Alexico Group, Hines

Alexico Group and Hines’ 56 Leonard has been described as a larger-than-life Jenga set, with stacked glass and cantilevered balconies closely resembling the iconic game. Designed by Herzog & de Meuron, work on the condo tower started in 2007 and suffered a series of setbacks during the financial crisis. Sales finally launched in mid-2013, but it wasn’t until this May that buyers were able to close on the units. ​

Pierhouse | 90 Furman at Brooklyn Bridge Park
Developer: Toll Brothers City Living, Starwood Capital Group

Though it’s drawn ire from locals for obstructing views of Manhattan, Pierhouse provides onlookers with a glimpse of the ever-changing neighborhood. Since the three-building development sits adjacent to the Brooklyn Bridge Park, its developers incorporated greenery into the project’s facade, which somewhat masks its sharp edges.

#Pierhouse coming to life. #newdevelopment #brooklynrealestate #NYCRealEstate

A photo posted by The Magnani Team (@themagnaniteam) on