Kips Bay Towers facts for kids
Quick facts for kids Kips Bay Towers |
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North Building (2010)
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| General information | |
| Status | Complete |
| Type | Residential |
| Location | 30th Street to 33rd Street between First Avenue and Second Avenue New York, NY, United States |
| Coordinates | 40°44′34″N 73°58′33″W / 40.74278°N 73.97583°W |
| Opening | 1960 (south tower), 1965 (north tower) |
| Technical details | |
| Floor count | 20 |
| Design and construction | |
| Architect | I.M. Pei, S. J. Kessler and James Ingo Freed |
Kips Bay Towers is a large apartment complex in the Kips Bay area of Manhattan, New York City. It has two tall buildings with 1,118 apartments in total. Famous architects I.M. Pei and S. J. Kessler designed the complex. They used a style called Brutalist, which often features strong, raw concrete. The buildings were finished in 1965.
The complex covers about 7.5 acres (3.0 ha), which is like three city blocks. It is located between First and Second Avenues, from 30th Street to 33rd Street. Both buildings are 20 stories high. Between them is a big, private garden that is three acres in size. This garden has green lawns and places for fun activities. More than 4,000 people live at Kips Bay Towers.
Contents
How Kips Bay Towers Was Built
From Old Homes to New Apartments
Kips Bay Towers was first called Kips Bay Plaza. It was planned to be apartments for people with average incomes. The project helped clear out older, less safe areas. This was part of a big plan by the government to improve housing.
In the early 1900s, there were other buildings on this spot. They were called Phipps Houses. These were six-story apartment buildings. The land was later used to build Kips Bay Towers.
Becoming Condominiums
In the mid-1980s, the apartments were changed into condominiums. This means people could buy their apartments instead of just renting them. About 70% of the apartments were bought by 1984. Many people who already lived there bought their homes.
A Park with a Choice
The architect, I. M. Pei, had a cool idea for the park. He wanted a large sculpture by the famous artist Picasso to be in the middle of the park. But the head of the development company, William Zeckendorf, gave him a choice. Pei could have the Picasso sculpture or fifty young trees. Pei chose the trees, which is why the garden has so many now!
Changes to the Park Area
In the 1990s, new shops were built along Second Avenue. These shops are connected to the Kips Bay Towers complex. This area used to be a park and playground called "Kips Bay Gardens." It was open to everyone when the Towers first opened in the 1960s.
However, in 1983, the park became private. This change happened because of safety concerns. The park was then only for residents of Kips Bay Towers.
Images for kids
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North Building (2010)
See also
In Spanish: Kips Bay Towers para niños
