DOB Halts Extell’s 80-Story One Manhattan Square Due to Cracking Walls in Nearby Buildings

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Finally some action.

Confirming the months-running fears of neighbors, Extell Development Corp. was taken to task over its construction of the eighty-story One Manhattan Square down on South Street. The Department of Buildings issued stop-work orders due to cracking in the adjacent building at 82 Rutgers Street. Thus the “immediately hazardous” language attached to the edict.

These types of fissures have also been a common sight throughout Two Bridges Tower at 82 Rutgers Street since ground-break. In the early days of the deafening excavation work, walls and ceilings separated and crumbled, infrastructure shook, and doors were no longer closing properly. All along, residents voiced concerns, but were shot down by Extell and construction manager LendLease, who said that the building was structurally sound. For its part, however, Barnett and company are actively “touring” the affected apartments to assess damage, and will repair problems at their own cost.

So, why now?

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Cracks inside a stairwell at 82 Rutgers St.Per Real Deal:

When the DOB went to investigate a week later, “it was observed that due to construction operations, the contractor created movement at [the] adjoining building,” according to a partial stop-work order issued on Jan. 14.

Work did not stop, however, according to a second complaint. On Feb. 17, the DOB doled out another violation to Extell and Lend Lease for allegedly failing to comply with its first order. The DOB then issued another partial stop work order on Feb. 18.

Gary Barnett’s firm referred questions to Lend Lease, which in a statement said that is “working with the project consultants to provide the Department of Buildings with documentation requested related to this matter.”

The development is no stranger to these controversies. You’ll recall that construction activities last June reported caused Cherry Street to sink some three inches. The DOB acted in kind, and likewise issued stop-work orders.

Meanwhile, an “Extell update” is listed on next month’s CB3 agenda for the Land-use subcommittee.

It’s high time Extell’s big cheese Gary Barnett consider reducing the height of this (flood zone) monstrosity. The fact that “sellout price” estimates were decreased this week is a sign that maybe 815 condo units on this spot isn’t sound thinking. Get ready for lots of “non-dos.”