Introduction to 432 Park Ave
One of Manhattan’s tallest and ritziest towers is full of cracks — and some engineers reportedly fear chunks of concrete could rain down on the Midtown sidewalks if a $160 million renovation isn’t undertaken.
The Problem with 432 Park Ave’s Facade
The white concrete facade of 432 Park Ave. — the nearly 1,400-foot, 96-floor “Billionaires’ Row” tower that reaches high above Midtown’s skyline — has been splitting, fissuring and left with pieces missing since it was completed in 2015, an alarming study from the New York Times found Sunday.
And the problem is so bad that the supertall skyscraper could be left “uninhabitable” if a major restoration isn’t completed soon, one expert told the outlet.
History of 432 Park Avenue
432 Park Avenue opened in 2015 and its 125 units quickly sold for $2.5 billion. A decade later, it has many problems.
Potential Consequences of Not Fixing the Cracks
“Chunks of concrete will fall off, and windows will start loosening up,” structural engineer Steve Bongiorno explained, cautioning water could begin seeping into the cracks and destroying the building from the inside out.
“You can’t take the elevators, mechanical systems start to fail, pipe joints start to break and you get water leaks all over the place,” Bongiorno said.
“The building just becomes uninhabitable.”
Current State of 432 Park Ave
432 Park Ave.’s 125 units — which command stunning views of Central Park, the Big Apple and beyond and have access to a private restaurant — hit $2.5 billion in sales to celebrities like Jennifer Lopez, Alex Rodriguez and Saudi royalty just three years after its unveiling.
Available apartments range from a two-bedroom, two-and-a-half bath on the 52nd floor for $10.5 million to a palatial six-bedroom abode with six full baths and two half-baths for a staggering $55 million, according to StreetEasy.
However, the stunning building has been plagued by problems for several years.
Residents’ Complaints
Residents have complained that the superall sways in the wind and groans like a ship at sea, and that leaks, power outages and elevator problems have persisted since they moved in.
A corner of 432 Park’s facade that appears to have chunks of concrete missing from it. DOB
Those problems have led to ongoing legal battles between the building’s board and developers, including Macklowe Properties, WSP and CIM Group.
Known Risks and Design Choices
But the facade problems were reportedly known risks while the building was still under construction — with the striking white concrete selected being prone to cracking. The developers went ahead anyway because they were determined not to compromise on their design vision, the Times reported.
“They are going down a dangerous and slippery path that I believe will eventually lead to failure and lawsuits to come,” Jim Herr, firm director of one of the building’s chief designers Rafael Viñoly, said in a 2012 email obtained by the Times.
Emails and Design Discussions
It was one of several in a thread where designers and engineers quibbled over the white concrete, with some arguing that it would become a problem down the road, while others stubbornly insisted on using the troublesome material without compromise.
“Color or cracks,” read another email on the thread from a WSP engineer, explaining there were two options, according to the Times.
Current State of the Facade
Photos from the exterior of 432 Park Ave. show numerous cracks in the concrete facade, many of which appear to have been mended or filled in.
But in some places entire chunks of the facade — from extremely high floors — appear to have broken from the structure.
The 432 Park Ave. facade is reportedly riddled with cracks, fissures and chunks of missing concrete. DOB
Some engineers are fearful that damage to 432 Park Aves. facade could pose a danger for pedestrians on the streets. DOB
Department of Buildings’ Inspection
The DOB’s last facade inspection at 432 Park Ave. was in 2023, the agency said.
Building residents have been looking into repairs, with emails obtained by the Times showing a three-year $160 million overhaul that would repair current damage and bolster against future problems is on the table.
Conclusion
432 Park Ave. appears to have been entirely up to code, the Times reported — adding that there no risks of a collapse.
Still, some engineers are alarmed by how much appears to have happened to the building in just 10 years facing the elements, according to the Times.
“A 10-year-old building should not be showing that level of deterioration,” said Jose Torero, an engineering expert at the University College London.
Some engineers are alarmed by how much appears to have happened to 432 Park Ave. in the 10 years it’s faced the elements. dbox inc.
And Bongiorno fears innocent passersby on the streets below might be the ones who get hurt if something isn’t done.
“The building is being stressed beyond what was intended,” Bongiorno said. “There’s no sidewalk shed that’s going to protect you from chunks of concrete popping off a 1,400-foot building.”
FAQs
Q: What is the problem with 432 Park Ave’s facade?
A: The white concrete facade of 432 Park Ave. has been splitting, fissuring and left with pieces missing since it was completed in 2015.
Q: What are the potential consequences of not fixing the cracks?
A: Chunks of concrete could fall off, and windows could start loosening up, causing water to seep into the cracks and destroying the building from the inside out.
Q: What is the current state of 432 Park Ave?
A: The building has been plagued by problems for several years, including leaks, power outages, and elevator problems.
Q: What is the estimated cost of repairs?
A: A three-year $160 million overhaul is being considered to repair current damage and bolster against future problems.
