Final renderings of BIG’s latest New York City project, 149 East 125th Street in East Harlem, have been revealed at the project’s groundbreaking ceremony. In contrast to original images showing a bright red facade, the undulating, rotating building will instead feature a gray exterior that Bjarke Ingels has referred to as “inspired by an elephant’s skin.”
The 11-story building will encompass a total of 275,566 square feet containing nearly 40,000 square feet of retail space and 233 studio, one-bedroom and two-bedroom rental apartments, of which 46 will be rented at affordable rates through the NYC housing lottery.
As the structure rises, the volume turns to pass over top of an existing New York DMV building. On the roof will be a communal garden and lounge area.
Inside the building, common areas will be clad in a burst of colors and patterns inspired by Ingels’ recent travels to the Caribbean, while individual units will be finished with more neutral tones to allow for personalization.
Building amenities will include a fitness center, roof garden, game room and lounge, as well as a dedicated area of the lobby exhibiting works from local artists.