The Copper (building) facts for kids
The Copper (also known as American Copper Buildings) is a pair of tall, fancy apartment buildings. They are located in the Murray Hill neighborhood of Manhattan in New York City. These buildings were designed by SHoP Architects and built by JDS Development.
The Copper buildings are known for their unique look. They are covered in copper and connected by a special bridge high in the air. They are a great example of modern architecture in the city.
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History of The Copper Buildings
The land where The Copper buildings now stand used to be a power station. This station belonged to a company called Consolidated Edison. A developer named Sheldon Solow bought this land. He had big plans for building many towers there.
Later, JDS Development and Largo Investments bought a part of this land in 2013. They decided to build two towers. The location was perfect because it was near the water and important places like the United Nations.
Building the Towers
Construction of The Copper buildings started in mid-2014. The special copper covering was first put on in mid-2015. The taller west tower was finished first in late 2015. The east tower was completed in early 2016.
One of the most exciting parts was when the bridge connecting the two towers was installed. This happened in January 2016. The buildings were officially named "The American Copper Buildings" in April 2016. People started moving into the west tower in April 2017. The east tower opened in late 2018.
Design and Construction
The Copper buildings look like they are "dancing" with each other. They are covered in copper on their north and south sides. The east and west sides have large glass windows. The west tower is taller, standing at 540 feet. The east tower is 470 feet tall.
The Copper Outside
The outside of the buildings is covered in real copper. This copper was left untreated on purpose. Over time, the copper will change color. It will go from a bright, shiny color to a darker brown. Eventually, it will turn green, just like old copper statues. The architects used different patterns for the copper panels. This makes the buildings look even more interesting.
The Skybridge
A unique feature of The Copper buildings is the three-story skybridge. This bridge connects the two towers high up in the air. It is about 300 feet above the ground. The skybridge is on floors 27, 28, and 29.
This bridge is not just for looks. It holds many cool things for the people living there. It has a 75-foot swimming pool and a lounge area. There are also private outdoor spaces on top of the bridge. This skybridge was the first of its kind built in Manhattan in 80 years. It is made of strong steel and has special glass.
Staying Safe from Storms
The builders thought about bad weather when designing The Copper buildings. Before construction, a big storm called Hurricane Sandy hit New York City. This showed the importance of being ready for floods.
So, the buildings were designed to be safe from floods. For example, the lobby walls are made of stone, not wood. The copper covering starts about 20 feet above the ground. This helps protect the buildings from high water. If the power goes out during a storm, there are emergency generators. These generators can power the elevators and provide electricity to each apartment.
Living in The Copper Buildings
The Copper buildings are homes for many people. There are 761 apartments in total. Some of these apartments are "affordable," meaning they cost less to rent. The rest are available at market price.
The buildings have a lot of space for residents. There are large lobbies with high ceilings. The apartments themselves range from small studios to three-bedroom homes. They have nice features like wood floors and modern kitchens.
Cool Things to Do Inside
The skybridge is a big part of the fun. It has a swimming pool and a hot tub. There is also a lounge where residents can relax. The buildings also have a gym and a beautiful outdoor plaza. On top of the east tower, there is another outdoor pool and lounge area.
See also
In Spanish: American Copper Buildings para niños
- Inclined building