New skyscrapers rising in Midtown

The Continental, at 885 Sixth Avenue, is one of Midtown’s newest skyscrapers, a 53-story building rising on the corner of 32nd Street. At one point, the 388-unit rental tower was suffering from the slumping economy, and only a cost-savings agreement with the construction trade unions saved it. The Continental is one of several new projects in the area, though not all have been successfully built, the New York Times reported. A vacant lot at 855 Sixth Avenue is the site of a residential
development that never got off the ground. Nearby is the Beatrice, at 835 Sixth Avenue, a rental and hotel building that recently opened. “This neighborhood doesn’t really have a name or a clear identity, but it continues to grow,” said Richard Hamilton, a senior vice president at Halstead Property who specializes in properties in the area. “It’s appealing to some because it is so central, with Broadway plays just 10 blocks to the north, Chelsea to the south, nightlife and shopping relatively accessible, and then there is great transportation.” [NYT]