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objectimpermanence t1_j59sq0m wrote

An architect could probably describe it better, but I always assumed it was some kind of post-modern take on a crown.

Many taller buildings have a crown to give the building a more distinctive appearance. What you see on 99 Hudson is a very simple and streamlined way of suggesting a crown while also maximizing salable space.

It also gives the upper floors full walls of glass to maximize the views. By the way, glass walls can be more expensive than partial glazing. So what they did in the upper part of the building might not have actually been intended as a cost cutting measure. The stone used on the lower parts of the building is just a veneer and probably not as expensive as you might think.

30 Hudson, on the other hand, has a more elaborate crown. What looks like the upper ~10-15 floors is mainly just a facade used to make an architectural statement and to hide mechanical equipment. The actual top floor of that building is a good 100+ feet from the top of the structure. It’s more obvious when you look at the building at night.

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fruit__gummy t1_j59vsz3 wrote

It’s the design and imo it looks great and is very unique to jersey city

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ooloox33 t1_j59yct1 wrote

There’s JC building code that had to do with the facade. It didn’t allow them to follow through with the tile. Still looks cool tho

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Direct_Ad18 t1_j59z328 wrote

If you notice the stone stops around the height of the surrounding buildings. I assumed it was to make the skyline look cohesive and the top to disappear into the sky.

Also gives the upper floors (most expensive) epic views.

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jerseycityfrankie t1_j59z7bt wrote

Meh. The problem in glass box architecture is in trying to get your building to be aesthetically pleasing and set apart from all the others without spending more money. Here the height of the upper edge of stone facing is similar to the height of adjacent buildings and this makes it fit in with its neighbors a little better.

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robin_tern t1_j5a19s0 wrote

It's a nod to 101 Hudson next door, the colour, pattern and height match. I think it looks good, an interesting idea.

Robin.

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fastAFguy t1_j5a1q7o wrote

It would have been a little better if the vertical line of stones didn’t all stop at the same floor. The ones near the center should have gone higher.

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stguesser t1_j5a6v3g wrote

The stone looks like boarded up windows from a distance

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HobokenJ t1_j5aat36 wrote

I like it, actually! (Can't say the same for the cookie-cutter, low-quality, shoebox apartments inside--though the lobby is quite nice)

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Fragrant_Jacket4209 t1_j5adrkp wrote

I know someone who worked on the building. They were running low on money so they cut a lot of corners.

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jersey-city-park t1_j5ahq98 wrote

They cut costs. The “front” of the building facing NYC has the stone going all the way up.

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GatorSuede_69 t1_j5akl63 wrote

these buildings need more character, step it up people

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STMIHA t1_j5ap0rq wrote

Replying to Direct_Ad18 (#1,427,709)

Yeah something along those lines. Basically there’s two kinda of lights for buildings that big. The red evening ones weren’t working and they had these daytime ones on which made it look like a light house at nighht. There’s actually some funny YouTube video/ recordings about pilots being able to see it from a ways away.

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_switch360_ t1_j5b5s67 wrote

To trigger people with OCD ticks. It’s a joke meant to trigger folks.

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Vicarious-Lee-Eye t1_j5be8bs wrote

it's a fucking eyesore. I always look away when driving east on grand.

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NCreature t1_j5bnzmm wrote

Replying to Fragrant_Jacket4209 (#1,427,317)

Architect here. Adding more glass is not an example of cutting corners. That would be going the wrong way cost wise. Also it's highly unlikely major changes to the facade would be part of a value engineering effort given how difficult it can be to get projects approved and all of the redesign (and fees) that would trigger. Also you can clearly see here in the concept renderings from Perkins Eastman, the architecture firm, the intent was always for the building to dematerialize into glass.

Also here is a quote from Ming Wu, the lead architect on the project:

"Rather than Art Deco, I’d say, if anything, the design is something of a transitional nature. It is very solid at the base with a lot more limestone present in the lower reaches of the building. Stone is a material people relate well to. It has a warmth to it. As you get into the body of the tower, the stone becomes a series of strong vertical linear stone, pilaster lines alternating with glass. Then, you’ll see it next year sometime, as the cladding rises up in the building, at the top upper reaches of the building, it becomes very glassy. The building concludes with a very transparent top, a monumental lantern in the sky. It has a very modern sensibility."

Personally I don't mind the idea I think it's just poorly executed. There needs to be some sort of transition or cornice detail or something rather than the glass just abruptly ending. Also glass is one of those materials that disappears at night so the building looks somewhat decapitated. An office building where all the lights inside were left on would be a different look but residential units are often dark.

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WooliesWhiteLeg t1_j5cr9en wrote

Stone are heavy dude. Who wants to carry them up any higher

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majestiq t1_j5ddy61 wrote

I always thought that was scaffolding and they just weren’t done installing those glass panels yet. Even if it’s permanent, they should have atleast put some stone going horizontally where the stone ends currently to give it a border instead of just ending randomly.

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cixitom t1_j5eem9b wrote

Poor design. Unfinished

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AryehCW t1_j5eq15x wrote

It's very unfortunate that the tallest building in New Jersey is so hideous.

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D_Empire412 t1_j5i08f5 wrote

I like it like that as it gives a contrasting look to the building.

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mtol115 t1_j5io6g7 wrote

The upper levels are probably more than the lower ones so the floor to ceiling windows is a plus I guess

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flapjack212 t1_j5jxw83 wrote

Replying to objectimpermanence (#1,426,022)

i was specifically told that all floors have the same size windows and that upper floors are not full glass view. i asked maybe 4-5 times, i even specifically asked why it looks like that from the outside then, they said behind the glass is still a load bearing wall

when i asked why it was done this way they said it was purely aesthetic / design to have it duo-tone

i trust sales agents as far as i can throw them, and they never showed me any of the upper floors, but just sharing what i was told

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