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Speculative / Conceptual Proposal for Landmark Tower Building (2024)

Potential Context : Lower Manhattan , New York – Photo credit Florian Wehde | UnSplash

RoundTowerNYC.com – Iconic Skyscraper Proposal for New York City : Tall / SuperTall Iteration of ‘RoundTower’ Proposal : Dublin

Montage of Proposal Iteration within an Imagined / Potential Lower Manhattan context : Hypothetical and for Illustration purposes

Round Tower NYC Iteration within Hypothetical / Potential Context : for Illustration Purposes only & not Site Specific. Ai Interpretations of Montage Images based on Photo by Jonathan Roger | UnSplash

A Contemporary Interpretation of Ancient Irish Architecture with Deep Cultural Resonance. Unique Potential addition to New York’s World Renowned Skyline

Round Tower Proposal – Tall / SuperTall Iteration – Ai Interpretation of Early Concept Design Sketches

Round Tower Proposal – Tall / SuperTall Iteration – Early Concept Design Sketches

Proposal intended to be Symbolic of Irish Contribution to the United States of America. ~ 35 Million or 1 in 10 Americans claim to be of Irish Descent / Heritage

Round Tower NYC Iteration within Potential Context : for Illustration Purposes only & not Site Specific – Modified Ai Image based on Photo by Jonathan Roger | UnSplash

Potential for Iconic and instantly recognisable Signature Landmark with very strong Symbolism + Brand Potentiality

Round Tower NYC : Early Outline Sketches / Iterations within Potential Manhattan Context : for Illustration Purposes only & not Site Specific

Round Tower Tall Building Proposal : Architectural Design Statement & Symbolism

• An Iconic and instantly recognisable Signature Landmark with very strong Brand Potentiality
• Proposal is intended to be Symbolic of Irish Contribution to the United States of America
• As of 2025 , Almost 35 Million or 1 in 10 Americans claim to be of Irish Descent / Heritage
• A Contemporary Interpretation of Ancient Irish Architecture with Deep Cultural Resonance
• A Unique addition to New York’s World Renowned Skyline and Architectural Identity / Ensemble
• Building Form reflects that of Medieval Round Tower. Composition based on rule of Thirds
• Stone Elements to Base respects Ancient Tower Construction & Creates interest at Street Level
• Contemporary Steel and Concrete Superstructure using Steel Diagrid or RC Supercolumns.
• Apex as per Historical Round Tower Form with Glazing for Jewel / Beacon effect & Views over City
• Plan Shape can be Circular, Elliptical, Oval or Octagonal without compromising Architectural Ethos
• Ideally situated within a Waterfront setting although Apex allows for Prominence if located in Urban Core
• Potential for Public / Commercial Recreational space at Apex Levels ( Lounge Bar / Restaurant etc )
• Likely Diameter to be circa 40-45m. Therefore desirable Slenderness Ratio guides total height .
• Apex Angle heavily influences Ideal Aesthetic. Must be ~ 65 degrees for Aesthetic appeal.

Some Outline Design Iterations of ‘Round Tower’ Development Proposal shown within Illustrative Manhattan Context. Background Urban Context Generated using Grok 3/4 & for Illustration Purposes only.

Link to Dedicated Website. https://RoundTowerNYC.wordpress.com

Potential Context for Illustration Purposes only : New York – Montage using Cropped Photo credit Aditya Siva | UnSplash

Development Finance / Capital Stack Subdivision

Common Equity : Originator Equity | Fee / Early Investor Team / Irish Plcs / Irish Funds (5-10%) ?

Preferred Equity : Sovereign Wealth Fund / Pension Fund(s) / Foundation / Endowment / Individuals / Families 

Mezzanine Finance : US Plcs / Irish Plcs / Real Estate Fund(s)+ Life Insurance Company(s) + HNW Individuals

Senior Debt (Commercial Bank) Financing : less than 75% due to Iconic Potential of Proposed Development ? Possible to raise Larger Share of Construction Cost via Equity rather than via Debt due to Iconic Potential of Proposed Development – ie. Signature Building & Associated Branding Potential / Symbol of Irish America

Potential Context : New York – Photo credit Andre Benz | UnSplash

Potential Context : Hudson River Skyline , New York – Cropped Photo credit Jon Tyson | UnSplash

Potential Context : Hudson River South Waterfront, New York

Sister Project : Round Tower Building Dublin Ireland : 30-40 Storeys / 150 x 200m ~

Link to Dedicated Website. https://RoundTowerNYC.wordpress.com

Brief Development Description ( For SuperTall 60 Storey+ Iteration scroll down )

Main Central Section & Structural System : If Steel Tube Diagrid , then likely to be 4-6 Storey Triangular Sections subject to individual Steel Tube assembly and sizing , connected via Pre Cambered Steel Nodes with radial Steel Beams at each Floor Level connecting to Steel Columns within R.C. Core. Circular Plan Shape contributes to Wind Load reduction. Floor to Floor circa 4.0 metres. Belt Truss Floors with Steel Bracing to form Perimeter Outriggers – spanning 2 Floor levels in height at Intervals to be determined by detailed design development. Belt Truss Levels to be possible location for MEP Floors and Elevator / Sky Lobby’s subject to Vertical Transport programme. Alternatively, Investigate removal of Floor Space at Belt Truss Locations to allow for a series of ‘Notches’ to Building Profile for further alleviation of Wind Loads and for potential SkyDeck or Skygarden spaces.

Alternatively, in lieu of Steel Diagrid System to Building Envelope, consider 4 Vertical RC + Steel Cores with Built in RC. Super Columns ( Outer Wall & inner RC Core) at 90 degree Orientations to give Cruciform shape in Plan with Smaller central Core reserved for Dedicated Vertical Transport to Apex of the Building. Likely Floor system to be poured R.C. Concrete Slab on Profiled Metal Decking System with Raised access Floor. May allow for Interesting Vertical Circulation possibilities compared to conventional Core.

Alternatively, in lieu of Steel Diagrid System, consider Mega Frame Structure with CFST Columns or ‘Super Columns’ of preferred internal Steel configuration, with Belt Trusses and Multi Storey Bracing, Fixed to RC. Core.

Building Base : Where Steel Diagrid System meets Ground Level a series of Stone Infill Structures will be Constructed to sit either Flush and Expressed Externally within the Steel Diagrid System in lieu of Glazed Sections , or Alternatively to sit within and just behind the Steel Diagrid Frame and behind the Glazing System so that the Glazing System sits forward of the Stone walls. These Stone Wall Structures would be Random Coarsed Rubble within a secondary R.C. Or Steel frame and would reference the Ancient Masonry Construction of the Irish Round Tower. They would be uplit and have Stone Panels with Artistic Reliefs or Engravings depicting Themes from Irish History. Openings would be formed within these Stone Structures for Access and Egress to the Concourse / Lobby Areas. Wintergarden Spaces to Ground Floor Lobby Areas with Commercial Space for Cafe / Dining.

Building Apex : Cone shaped Diagrid comprising Triangular Sections each spanning 2 Floor Levels to Form Building Apex / Roof Area. Robotic Rotating Building Cleaning System at Junction of Coned Roof to Main Building Structure. Rooftop Lounge Bar / Dining Area subject to Vertical Circulation Programme. Damper provision subject to Structural Engineers recommendations.

Brief Overview of Interior Design Intent : Materials / Colour Palette

Carpet / Carpet Tiles to be Green Shades ( to Workplace Office / Lounge Bar Floors etc) : Hex examples – Dark Green / Midnight Green / Deep Emerald Green / Sacramento / Castleton / Hunter / Pine etc. Ironmongery / Metals to reflect Luxury | Heritage ambience – Gold / Brass / Bronze / Pewter / Nickel. Contrast tones for Leather Furniture against Deep Green Carpet examples – Cognac / Camel / Burgundy / Chocolate etc. Countertop tones & shades for Dark Green Carpet – ie Beige / Cream / Light Grey / Oatmeal etc. Metallic Panelling frontage to Lounge Bar ie – Bronze / Copper / Gold / Burgundy / Navy Blue etc. Glass Accents to include Jade / Emerald / Frosted Ice. Mid to Dark Wood Panelling to include Mahogany / Walnut / Cherry etc. Stone & Wall Tiles to be shades of the Above

Indicative Design Intent for Rooftop Sky Lounge RoundTower NYC. : Images Grok | Prompts by D.M

Accommodation / Operations & Vertical Transportation – 60 Storey+ SuperTall Iteration (Guesstimate)

• Ground Floor Lobby / Foyer of between 3 – 5 Storeys in Height with Stone Elements to Reference Ancient Round Tower Construction + Cultural Element / Reception / Cafe / Kiosks etc
• 2 Storey Public / Semi Public Restaurant / Lounge Bar with Dedicated Elevators ( For Revenue Purposes – Storey Level + Exact Access Egress Requirements TBC. Grease Trap + Acoustic Barrier Zone underneath.
• 1-2 Level MEP Floor above with Belt Truss Structural Expression as per Belt Truss at Higher Levels
• Circa 15-20 Storeys of Office Space + 2-3 Storey Elevator / MEP Floor with Potential Sky Lobby / SkyGarden
• Circa 15-20 Storeys of Office Space + 2-3 Storey Elevator / MEP Floor with Potential Sky Lobby / SkyGarden
• Circa 8-12 Storeys of Premium Office Space
• 2 Storey MEP Floor with Grease Trap Area for Lounge Above + Rotating Robotic Window Cleaning System
• 2-3 Storey Private Lounge Bar with Digital Booking System to regulate Visitor Bookings for Dedicated Elevator Access / Egress + Fire Code Purposes.
• Possible Private / Semi Public Viewing Deck subject to NYC Code Requirements.
• Apex Vanity Floors / Service Personnel Access to Apex Spire / Beacon

Building Structure : 46m Diameter Circular Plan or Truncated Circular Plan allowing for Optimum Leasing Floor Plate Span of 13m to each side of 20mx20m Square Core. Core Perimeter Wall thickness likely to be 900mm-1200mm range. Elevator Shaft Walls likely to be 250mm thick. Likely Steel Structure to enclose Stairs / Dedicated Elevators at Upper / Apex Levels. Belt Truss Structure expressed on Facade Perimeter at MEP floor levels with possible SkyDeck Space and Notched enclosure to further reduce wind loads and provide break out spaces.

Vertical Transportation : Minimum 2 Number Fire Escape Stairs ( Scissors or Dog Leg TBC) Elevator Nos. estimate at 20-24 in Total. 3 Elevator Banks of 6 Carriages each measuring internally 8.1mx 2.5m approx. 2-4 Service Elevators ( Minimum 1 no. To Rooftop Apex. 2 No. Dedicated High Speed Larger Shaft Elevators exclusively for Rooftop Apex Lounge Bar Access / Egress.

Elevators Bank to be Planned in a Top Downward sequence from the Glazed Apex in order to centralise the Vertical Transportation that is required under NYC Code within the Conical Apex as a Symmetrical Geometric arrangement. Vertical Transportation to all Core Levels below would be deferential to the Apex Configuration and planned in a Pinwheel or St Bridget’s Cross Formation comprising 3 Elevator Banks and Elevator Lobbies and 1 Bank of MEP Risers within a ~20x20m Core. Fire Stairs and Fire Fighting / Service Elevators, Washrooms, Cleaners stores, Kitchenettes and additional MEP / Service Risers to be arranged around this Pinwheel Configuration and contained within the 20mx20m Overall Core. Each Elevator Bank comprising 6No. Elevators serves each of the 3 Distinct Office Floor Zones – Lower, Middle and Upper, with 2 Elevator Banks allowing dedicated access to the Middle and Upper Workplace Zones and bypassing the Lower Office Zone via Blind Elevator Shafts.

This Arrangement provides for a SuperTall Iteration of RoundTower NYC Proposal of ~325 meters Total Height including a 40m high Conical Apex and 46m Diameter Truncated Circular Plan. Results in an Optimal Tall Building Slenderness Ratio of 7.1 to 1, Premium Commercial Floor Plate Span of 13m from Perimeter to Core on 2 Sides and an Apex Angle of 65 Degress for Optimal Aesthetically pleasing Silhouette. Typical Office Floor height = 4m.

Samples of Sketches for Vertical Transport Arrangement / Service Core : 60+ Storey SuperTall Iteration

Potential Context for Illustration Purposes only : New York – Montage using Cropped Photo credit Aditya Siva | UnSplash

Potential Context : New York – Photo credit Denys Nevozhai | UnSplash

Indicative Montage of Iteration within Manhattan Waterfront for Illustrative Purposes & Non Site Specific (Photo by Aleix Ventayol | Unsplash)

Photo Montage of Proposal within a Potential Lower Manhattan context : Hypothetical and for Illustration purposes
Photo Montage Image based upon original photo by Martin St-Amant – Wikipedia – CC-BY-SA-3.0

Indicative Montage of Iteration within Manhattan Waterfront for Illustrative Purposes & Non Site Specific (Photo by Aleix Ventayol | Unsplash)

Indicative Montage of RoundTower Iteration in Skyline Context (Illustration Purposes only & Not Site Specific) – Photo Andreas Niendorf | UnSplash

Round Tower Proposal – Tall / SuperTall Iteration – Concept Design Sketches for Wind Load Notching & Sky Terrace Creation

Round Tower Proposal – Tall / SuperTall Iteration – Early Concept Design Sketches

Link to Dedicated Website. https://RoundTowerNYC.wordpress.com

Iteration of Proposal shown in Hypothetical Potential Context for Illustrative Purposes only & Not Site Specific – Crop of Photo : credit AK / Bright Soul Films | UnSplash

‘Round Towers’ Twin Building Proposal – Tall + SuperTall Iteration – Concept Design Sketches

Potential Context : New York – Photo credit Luca Bravo | UnSplash

Link to Dedicated Website. https://RoundTowerNYC.wordpress.com

Potential Context : New York – Photo credit Pedro Lastra | UnSplash