161 Maiden Lane

{{short description|Residential skyscraper in Manhattan, New York}} {{Use mdy dates|date=March 2023}} {{Use American English|date=April 2023}} {{Infobox building | name = 161 Maiden Lane | image = 161 Maiden Lane from East River.jpg | image size = | caption = 161 Maiden Lane, seen from Circle Line Sightseeing boat, October 1, 2023 | building_type = Residential skyscraper | location = 161 Maiden Lane<br />Manhattan, New York City, United States | alternate_names = 1 Seaport | mapframe-wikidata = yes | coordinates = {{coord|40.7055|-74.0048|format=dms|type:landmark_region:US-NY|display=inline,title}} | status = On hold | roof = 670&nbsp;ft (205&nbsp;m)<ref name=Skyscraper>{{Cite web |url=https://www.skyscrapercenter.com/building/seaport-residences/16256 |website=Skycraper Center |title=Seaport Residences |access-date=March 8, 2023 |archive-date=June 14, 2021 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20210614050327/https://www.skyscrapercenter.com/building/seaport-residences/16256 |url-status=live }}</ref> | antenna_spire = | floor_count = 60 | construction_start_date = 2016 | est_completion = On hold | floor_area = | architect = Hill West Architects | structural_engineer = WSP Global | main_contractor = Pizzarotti (until 2019)<br/>Ray Builders (2019–2020) | developer = Fortis Property Group | operator = }} '''161{{nbsp}}Maiden Lane''' (also known as '''One Seaport''', '''1{{nbsp}}Seaport''', '''Seaport Residences''', or '''The Leaning Tower of New York''') is an incomplete 670&nbsp;ft (205&nbsp;m) tall residential skyscraper on Maiden Lane in the Financial District of Manhattan, New York City, United States. Designed by Hill West Architects, the building overlooks the East River and topped out in September{{nbsp}}2018. The building leans {{convert|3|in}} to the north as a result of the method used to construct its foundation: instead of using deep pilings like other neighboring skyscrapers, soil improvement methods were used. {{As of|2024}}, only half of the finishes, including windows, have been installed.<ref name=TheB1M>{{Cite web|title=The Leaning Tower of New York City|url=https://www.theb1m.com/video/the-leaning-tower-of-new-york-city|date=March 8, 2023|access-date=March 9, 2023|website=The B1M|archive-date=March 8, 2023|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20230308195909/https://www.theb1m.com/video/the-leaning-tower-of-new-york-city|url-status=live}}</ref>

== Architecture == The building was designed by Hill West Architects and interior designer Groves & Co.<ref name="New York YIMBY 2019" /> According to ''The Wall Street Journal'', 161 Maiden Lane's design includes a porte-cochère and a glass curtain wall.<ref name="Clarke 2022" /> In addition, the building is planned to have a health club with a spa, fitness center, and infinity pool.<ref name="Lach u943">{{cite web |last=Lach |first=Eric |date=February 3, 2025 |title=The Leaning Tower of New York |url=https://www.newyorker.com/magazine/2025/02/10/the-leaning-tower-of-new-york |access-date=February 6, 2025 |website=The New Yorker |archive-date=February 5, 2025 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20250205182844/https://www.newyorker.com/magazine/2025/02/10/the-leaning-tower-of-new-york |url-status=live }}</ref><ref name="Small 201809" /><ref name="Clarke 2022" /> The 60-story structure rises 670&nbsp;ft (205&nbsp;m).<ref name="YIMBY202102" /><ref name="Skyscraper" /> It would have {{convert|200,000|ft2|abbr=on}} of space, including 80 residential condominiums.<ref name="Mashayekhi 2016" /><ref name="YIMBY202102" /> Plans also call for the building to contain 17 storage units, which would be sold to residents.<ref name="Mashayekhi 2016" />

The site was created in the 17th century as part of a program of land reclamation in Lower Manhattan. As a result, the underlying site is made of various debris, followed by a layer of marshland, pockets of glacial sand deposits, and decomposed rock. The underlying layer of bedrock is approximately {{Convert|155|ft}} below ground level.<ref name="Lach u943" /> The foundation was constructed using a soil improvement method, where material is added to the soil to strengthen it, rather than the piling method, as used by all neighboring skyscrapers.<ref name="Spivack 2021" /><ref name=":0" /> The soil-improvement method ostensibly was intended to reduce the construction costs by {{US$|6.0|link=yes}}{{nbsp}}million (equivalent to ${{Inflation|US-GDP|6.0|2014|fmt=c|r=1}}{{nbsp}}million in {{Inflation/year|US-GDP}}), though it also resulted in uneven settlement, which later caused the tower to lean.<ref name="Lach u943" />

==History==

=== Site acquisition === As early as 2007, Bluerock Properties had proposed a 52-story building at 161 Maiden Lane, near the shore of the East River, in the Financial District of Lower Manhattan in New York City. Bluerock planned to have the tower designed by Rogers Marvel Architects.<ref name="Hylton 2015">{{cite web |last=Hylton |first=Ondel |date=July 20, 2015 |title=From Clipper Ships to Condos: Construction Begins on 161 Maiden Lane at the Seaport |url=https://www.6sqft.com/from-clipper-ships-to-condos-construction-begins-on-161-maiden-lane-at-the-seaport/ |access-date=March 10, 2023 |website=6sqft |archive-date=July 17, 2022 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20220717030640/https://www.6sqft.com/from-clipper-ships-to-condos-construction-begins-on-161-maiden-lane-at-the-seaport/ |url-status=live }}</ref> New York City's zoning regulations allowed a building of up to {{convert|249,242|ft2|abbr=on}} on the site, of which up to {{convert|138,468|ft2|abbr=on}} could be used as apartments.<ref name="The Real Deal 2013">{{cite web |date=May 13, 2013 |title=Development Site For Sale NYC - Cushman And Wakefield |url=https://therealdeal.com/new-york/2013/05/13/fidi-development-site-hits-market-with-up-to-75m-price-tag/ |access-date=March 10, 2023 |website=The Real Deal |archive-date=March 11, 2023 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20230311013734/https://therealdeal.com/new-york/2013/05/13/fidi-development-site-hits-market-with-up-to-75m-price-tag/ |url-status=live }}</ref>

In 2011, Kay Development bought the site for {{US$|41.2|link=yes}}{{nbsp}}million (equivalent to ${{Inflation|US-GDP|41.17|2011|fmt=c|r=1}}{{nbsp}}million in {{Inflation/year|US-GDP}}).<ref name="The Real Deal 2013" /> the company had planned to develop a 40-story building, the Seaborne, on the site; the building would have contained 175 apartments.<ref name="Clarke 2013">{{cite web |last=Clarke |first=Katherine |date=September 5, 2013 |title=Fortis snaps up FiDi development site for $64M |url=https://therealdeal.com/new-york/2013/09/05/fortis-snaps-up-fidi-development-site-for-64m/ |access-date=March 10, 2023 |website=The Real Deal |archive-date=March 11, 2023 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20230311013735/https://therealdeal.com/new-york/2013/09/05/fortis-snaps-up-fidi-development-site-for-64m/ |url-status=live }}</ref> This structure would have been designed by architect John Fotiadis.<ref name="Hylton 2015" /><ref name="Dailey 2013">{{cite web |last=Dailey |first=Jessica |date=September 10, 2013 |title=Seaport Site Changes Hands; Will This Tower Soon Rise? |url=https://ny.curbed.com/2013/9/10/10199870/seaport-site-changes-hands-will-this-tower-soon-rise |access-date=March 10, 2023 |website=Curbed NY |archive-date=October 6, 2022 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20221006001543/https://ny.curbed.com/2013/9/10/10199870/seaport-site-changes-hands-will-this-tower-soon-rise |url-status=dead }}</ref> Kay Development placed the land for sale in May 2013<ref name="The Real Deal 2013" /> and Fortis Property Group bought the site at 151–161 Maiden Lane in September 2013, paying $64{{nbsp}}million (equivalent to ${{Inflation|US-GDP|64|2013|fmt=c|r=0}}{{nbsp}}million in {{Inflation/year|US-GDP}}) for the {{Convert|11539|ft2|abbr=on}} lot.<ref name="Clarke 2013" /><ref name="Real Estate Weekly 2013">{{cite web |date=September 10, 2013 |title=SELLING POINTS: Fortis building downtown tower; Harbor Group makes second apartment buy |url=https://rew-online.com/selling-points-fortis-building-downtown-tower-harbor-group-makes-second-apartment-buy/ |access-date=March 10, 2023 |website=Real Estate Weekly}}</ref>

=== Construction === Construction of the building, then known as '''One Seaport Residences''', began in July 2015.<ref name="Mashayekhi 2016">{{cite web |last=Mashayekhi |first=Rey |date=March 1, 2016 |title=Fortis seeking $272M sellout at 1 Seaport condo tower |url=https://therealdeal.com/new-york/2016/03/01/fortis-seeking-272m-sellout-at-1-seaport-condo-tower/ |access-date=March 10, 2023 |website=The Real Deal |archive-date=March 11, 2023 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20230311013736/https://therealdeal.com/new-york/2016/03/01/fortis-seeking-272m-sellout-at-1-seaport-condo-tower/ |url-status=live }}</ref> Jack Resnick & Sons, which owned the similarly named One Seaport Plaza at 199 Water Street,<ref name="nyt-2016-04-22" /> sued Fortis for trademark infringement that September.<ref name="Amato 2015">{{cite web |last=Amato |first=Rowley |date=September 12, 2015 |title=Developer Sues Developer Over Use of "Seaport" Name |url=https://ny.curbed.com/2015/9/12/9921950/developer-sues-developer-over-use-of-seaport-name |access-date=March 10, 2023 |website=Curbed NY |archive-date=August 14, 2022 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20220814034618/https://ny.curbed.com/2015/9/12/9921950/developer-sues-developer-over-use-of-seaport-name |url-status=dead }}</ref><ref name="Mashayekhi 201509">{{cite web |last=Mashayekhi |first=Rey |date=September 11, 2015 |title=One Seaport - Jack Resnick & Sons - Fortis Property Group |url=https://therealdeal.com/new-york/2015/09/11/jack-resnick-sons-sues-fortis-over-one-seaport-trademark/ |access-date=March 10, 2023 |website=The Real Deal |archive-date=March 11, 2023 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20230311013736/https://therealdeal.com/new-york/2015/09/11/jack-resnick-sons-sues-fortis-over-one-seaport-trademark/ |url-status=live }}</ref> The two firms came to an agreement in December 2015, when Fortis agreed to market the building using the numeral version of the name, '''1 Seaport''', for a limited period. After that period had ended, Fortis could not market the building as either "One Seaport" or "1 Seaport".<ref name="Real Estate Weekly 2015">{{cite web |date=December 22, 2015 |title=Seaport dispute settled |url=https://rew-online.com/seaport-dispute-settled/ |access-date=March 10, 2023 |website=Real Estate Weekly |archive-date=May 21, 2022 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20220521101553/https://rew-online.com/seaport-dispute-settled/ |url-status=live }}</ref><ref name="Mashayekhi 201512">{{cite web |last=Mashayekhi |first=Rey |date=December 2, 2015 |title=Resnick, Fortis reach settlement in 'One Seaport' dispute |url=https://therealdeal.com/new-york/2015/12/02/resnick-fortis-reach-settlement-in-one-seaport-dispute/ |access-date=March 10, 2023 |website=The Real Deal |archive-date=March 11, 2023 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20230311013736/https://therealdeal.com/new-york/2015/12/02/resnick-fortis-reach-settlement-in-one-seaport-dispute/ |url-status=live }}</ref> Fortis submitted a condominium offering plan for the building to the New York Real Estate Finance Bureau, which approved the plan in late February 2016. Fortis estimated that it would be able to sell 80 condos for a total of $272 million.<ref name="Mashayekhi 2016" /><ref name="Rosenberg 20162">{{cite web |last=Rosenberg |first=Zoe |date=March 2, 2016 |title=South Street Seaport's 60-Story Tower Reveals Pricing (Sort of) |url=https://ny.curbed.com/2016/3/2/11145764/fortis-south-street-seaport-condos-pricing |access-date=March 10, 2023 |website=Curbed NY |archive-date=September 25, 2022 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20220925210403/https://ny.curbed.com/2016/3/2/11145764/fortis-south-street-seaport-condos-pricing |url-status=dead }}</ref> Fortis hired the Italian firm Pizzarotti as general contractor,<ref name="Lach u943" /><ref name="Brenzel 2023 u296" /> likely in part because of Pizzarotti's low rates.<ref name="Brenzel 2023 u296">{{cite web |last=Brenzel |first=Kathryn |date=December 3, 2023 |title=Fortis Property Group's Seaport Residences tower Leans In |url=https://therealdeal.com/magazine/national-december-2023/how-fortis-luxury-high-rise-became-the-leaning-tower-of-fidi/ |access-date=February 10, 2024 |website=The Real Deal |archive-date=January 18, 2024 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20240118212633/https://therealdeal.com/magazine/national-december-2023/how-fortis-luxury-high-rise-became-the-leaning-tower-of-fidi/ |url-status=live }}</ref> SSC High Rise was hired as the concrete subcontractor.<ref name="Lach u943" />

Condo sales launched in April 2016, with the cheapest being offered for $1.2 million.<ref name="nyt-2016-04-22">{{Cite news |last=Hughes |first=C. J. |date=April 22, 2016 |title=A Glassy Condo at South Street Seaport |language=en-US |work=The New York Times |url=https://www.nytimes.com/2016/04/24/realestate/a-glassy-condoatsouth-street-seaport.html |access-date=March 10, 2023 |issn=0362-4331 |archive-date=January 10, 2023 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20230110054746/https://www.nytimes.com/2016/04/24/realestate/a-glassy-condoatsouth-street-seaport.html |url-status=live }}</ref><ref name="Plitt 2016">{{cite web |last=Plitt |first=Amy |date=April 20, 2016 |title=Fortis's 60-Story Seaport Tower Launches Sales From $1.325M |url=https://ny.curbed.com/2016/4/20/11466840/financial-district-seaport-condos-for-sale |access-date=March 10, 2023 |website=Curbed NY |archive-date=October 1, 2022 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20221001044259/https://ny.curbed.com/2016/4/20/11466840/financial-district-seaport-condos-for-sale |url-status=dead }}</ref> Twenty percent of the units were in contract within one day. At the time, the structure was supposed to open in early 2018.<ref name="nyt-2016-04-22" /> Swedish real estate broker Fredrik Eklund was among the earliest condominium buyers, acquiring a duplex on the 46th and 47th floors.<ref name="Rosenberg 2017">{{cite web |last=Rosenberg |first=Zoe |date=May 3, 2017 |title=Fredrik Eklund buys another multi-million dollar condo, this time at 1 Seaport |url=https://ny.curbed.com/2017/5/3/15531528/fredrik-eklund-nyc-apartments-1-seaport |access-date=March 10, 2023 |website=Curbed NY |archive-date=December 8, 2022 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20221208060803/https://ny.curbed.com/2017/5/3/15531528/fredrik-eklund-nyc-apartments-1-seaport |url-status=dead }}</ref> Fortis offered to make Eklund a monopoly on marketing the building's condos, provided that he was able to sell one-quarter of the units in eight weeks. Eklund opened a sales office in London after contemplating opening offices in other cities around the world.<ref name="Lach u943" />

Bank Leumi USA, a subsidiary of Bank Leumi, gave Fortis a $90 million construction loan for the property in June 2016.<ref name="Law360 2016">{{cite web |date=June 14, 2016 |title=Emmet Marvin, Tannenbaum Helpern Guide $90M NYC Loan |url=https://www.law360.com/articles/806863/emmet-marvin-tannenbaum-helpern-guide-90m-nyc-loan |access-date=March 10, 2023 |website=Law360 |archive-date=March 11, 2023 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20230311013737/https://www.law360.com/articles/806863/emmet-marvin-tannenbaum-helpern-guide-90m-nyc-loan |url-status=live}}</ref> To attract buyers, Fortis announced a partnership with Hinckley Yachts in late 2016, renting three luxury yachts to condominium owners.<ref name="Rosenberg 2016">{{cite web |last=Rosenberg |first=Zoe |date=October 7, 2016 |title=Seaport condo offers up the next over-the-top amenity: yacht rentals |url=https://ny.curbed.com/2016/10/7/13206214/hinckley-yacht-service-nyc-condos |access-date=March 10, 2023 |website=Curbed NY |archive-date=July 6, 2022 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20220706024255/https://ny.curbed.com/2016/10/7/13206214/hinckley-yacht-service-nyc-condos |url-status=dead}}</ref> Under the terms of its condo offering plan, Fortis was to have finalized the first condo sales in January 2018. If Fortis had failed to finalize any contracts by June 2018, the developer had to provide an updated budget; buyers could renege on their contracts if the project had overrun its $273 million budget by at least 25 percent.<ref name="Pilgrim 2017">{{cite web |last=Pilgrim |first=Lexi |date=October 19, 2017 |title=Fortis Property Group - 161 Maiden Lane |url=https://therealdeal.com/new-york/2017/10/19/work-still-halted-on-fortis-one-seaport-project-and-deadlines-are-looming/ |access-date=March 10, 2023 |website=The Real Deal |archive-date=March 11, 2023 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20230311013737/https://therealdeal.com/new-york/2017/10/19/work-still-halted-on-fortis-one-seaport-project-and-deadlines-are-looming/ |url-status=live }}</ref>

==== Construction issues and delays ==== Between January and September 2017, the New York City Department of Buildings (DOB) issued 10 building-code violations to Pizzarotti.<ref name="Vinopal 2022">{{cite web |last=Vinopal |first=Courtney |date=December 21, 2022 |title=Scaffolding Deaths Are Claiming New York's Immigrant Workers in an Industry Lacking Accountability |url=https://observer.com/2022/12/scaffolding-deaths-are-claiming-new-yorks-immigrant-workers-in-an-industry-lacking-accountability/ |access-date=March 10, 2023 |website=Observer |archive-date=March 6, 2023 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20230306042916/https://observer.com/2022/12/scaffolding-deaths-are-claiming-new-yorks-immigrant-workers-in-an-industry-lacking-accountability/ |url-status=live }}</ref> Construction workers in labor unions also protested outside the building, mounting an inflatable rat to protest the fact that non-unionized laborers were employed at 161 Maiden Lane.<ref name="Lach u943" /> An employee of SSC High Rise died in September 2017 after falling from the building's 29th floor.<ref>{{cite news |last1=Sandoval |first1=Edgar |last2=Smith |first2=Greg |last3=Rayman |first3=Graham |date=September 21, 2017 |title=Two construction workers plunge to their deaths at separate Manhattan job sites with unresolved violations |url=https://www.nydailynews.com/new-york/workers-fatally-fall-troubled-nyc-job-sites-article-1.3511065 |url-status=live |accessdate=April 25, 2019 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20190425202520/https://www.nydailynews.com/new-york/workers-fatally-fall-troubled-nyc-job-sites-article-1.3511065 |archive-date=April 25, 2019}}</ref><ref name="Crain's New York Business 2017">{{cite web |date=September 21, 2017 |title=Two construction workers die in separate falls in Manhattan |url=https://www.crainsnewyork.com/article/20170921/REAL_ESTATE/170929971/worker-falls-to-his-death-at-financial-district-site |access-date=March 10, 2023 |website=Crain's New York Business |archive-date=May 17, 2022 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20220517070854/https://www.crainsnewyork.com/article/20170921/REAL_ESTATE/170929971/worker-falls-to-his-death-at-financial-district-site |url-status=live }}</ref> Investigators determined that the employee had unhooked his safety harness after it was jammed in a scaffolding platform and that an SSC foreman had ordered the platform to be moved with workers on it, causing the employee to fall to his death.<ref name="Vinopal 2022" /><ref name=":1" /> Because it is against New York City building code to move a platform with workers on it, SSC pleaded guilty to manslaughter in July 2018.<ref name=":1">{{cite news |last1=Brenzel |first1=Kathryn |date=July 13, 2018 |title=Construction firm pleads guilty to manslaughter in worker's death at site of FiDi condo project |publisher=The Real Deal |url=https://therealdeal.com/2018/07/13/construction-company-pleads-guilty-to-manslaughter-in-death-of-worker-at-161-maiden-lane/ |url-status=live |accessdate=April 25, 2019 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20190425202231/https://therealdeal.com/2018/07/13/construction-company-pleads-guilty-to-manslaughter-in-death-of-worker-at-161-maiden-lane/ |archive-date=April 25, 2019}}</ref> The firm was ordered to pay $10,000,<ref name="Lach u943" /><ref name="Kim i905">{{cite web |last=Kim |first=Betsy |date=October 3, 2018 |title=One Seaport Receives $66M in Mezz Financing |url=https://www.globest.com/2018/10/03/one-seaport-receives-66m-in-mezz-financing/?slreturn=20250206162722 |access-date=February 6, 2025 |website=GlobeSt}}</ref> the maximum fine that could be levied for building-code violations in New York state.<ref name="Vinopal 2022" /> Following the incident, the project was halted indefinitely; two-thirds of the condos had already gone into contract.<ref name="Pilgrim 2017" />

Work resumed in December 2017.<ref name="Lach u943" /><ref name="Pilgrim 2018" /> The next month, the DOB issued two stop-work orders due to incorrectly installed construction netting.<ref name="Pilgrim 2018">{{cite web |last=Pilgrim |first=Lexi |date=February 2, 2018 |title=161 Maiden Lane - Fortis Property Group |url=https://therealdeal.com/new-york/2018/02/02/after-worker-death-construction-at-161-maiden-lane-faces-hurdles/ |access-date=March 10, 2023 |website=The Real Deal}}</ref> By January 2018, Fortis planned to obtain $185 million in construction financing for 161 Maiden Lane.<ref name="Pilgrim 20182">{{cite web |last=Maurer |first=Mark |date=January 25, 2018 |title=Fortis looking to finance unsold condos at 1 Seaport and LICH site |url=https://therealdeal.com/new-york/2018/01/25/fortis-looking-to-finance-unsold-condos-at-1-seaport-and-lich-site/ |access-date=March 10, 2023 |website=The Real Deal}}</ref> RC Structures replaced SSC as the concrete subcontractor, though sources disagree on whether SSC was fired<ref name="Brenzel 2018" /> or whether its employees refused to come to work.<ref name="Lach u943" /> In any case, work resumed soon after, even though Pizzarotti had received a memo that April, indicating that the building was leaning {{Convert|3|in}} to its north.<ref name="Lach u943" /> Construction was paused again that April after a concrete bucket hit the 34th floor, poured concrete onto the street, and lifted part of the 34th-story deck.<ref name="Brenzel 2018">{{cite web |last=Brenzel |first=Kathryn |date=April 30, 2018 |title=161 Maiden Lane - RC Structures - Pizzarotti |url=https://therealdeal.com/new-york/2018/04/30/pizzarotti-replaces-troubled-concrete-company-at-161-maiden-lane/ |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20230311013737/https://therealdeal.com/new-york/2018/04/30/pizzarotti-replaces-troubled-concrete-company-at-161-maiden-lane/ |archive-date=March 11, 2023 |access-date=March 10, 2023 |website=The Real Deal}}</ref> Exacerbating the building's structural issues, contractors poured the upper stories' concrete slabs unevenly, in an attempt to cancel out the building's lean.<ref name="Brenzel 2023 u296" /> This led Pizzarotti's lawyer to compare the building's shape to a banana.<ref name="Brenzel 2023 u296" /><ref>{{cite web |last=Ramsay |first=James |date=February 3, 2025 |title=Extra Extra: The leaning tower of 1 Seaport is now more of a banana shape |url=https://gothamist.com/news/extra-extra-the-leaning-tower-of-1-seaport-is-now-more-of-a-banana-shape |access-date=February 6, 2025 |website=Gothamist}}</ref>

The building topped out during September 2018.<ref>{{cite news |last1=Young |first1=Michael |date=September 18, 2018 |title=One Seaport Officially Tops Out Along The East River In Lower Manhattan |publisher=YIMBY |url=https://newyorkyimby.com/2018/09/one-seaport-officially-tops-out-along-the-east-river-in-lower-manhattan.html |url-status=live |accessdate=April 25, 2019 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20190425202608/https://newyorkyimby.com/2018/09/one-seaport-officially-tops-out-along-the-east-river-in-lower-manhattan.html |archive-date=April 25, 2019}}</ref> The same month, Mack Real Estate gave Fortis a $66 million mezzanine loan for the property.<ref name="Small 201809">{{cite web |last=Small |first=Eddie |date=September 28, 2018 |title=Fortis Property Group - 1 Seaport |url=https://therealdeal.com/new-york/2018/09/28/fortis-recapitalizes-1-seaport-with-66m-loan/ |access-date=March 10, 2023 |website=The Real Deal |archive-date=March 11, 2023 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20230311014325/https://therealdeal.com/new-york/2018/09/28/fortis-recapitalizes-1-seaport-with-66m-loan/ |url-status=live }}</ref><ref name="Kim i905" /><ref name="Cunningham 2018">{{cite web |last=Cunningham |first=Cathy |date=September 27, 2018 |title=NKF Locks Down $66M Mezz Loan for Fortis' 1 Seaport |url=https://commercialobserver.com/2018/09/nkf-locks-down-66-million-mezz-loan-for-fortis-1-seaport/ |access-date=March 10, 2023 |website=Commercial Observer |archive-date=March 11, 2023 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20230311014345/https://commercialobserver.com/2018/09/nkf-locks-down-66-million-mezz-loan-for-fortis-1-seaport/ |url-status=live }}</ref> At the time, potential buyers had signed contracts for 72 of the building's 98 condominiums.<ref name="Small 201809" /> Pizzarotti sued Fortis in March 2019 over the building's northward lean.<ref name="Rebong 2019">{{cite web |last=Rebong |first=Kevin |date=April 3, 2019 |title=Leaning Tower of Pizzarotti? Contractor sues Fortis over alignment issues at Seaport project |url=https://therealdeal.com/new-york/2019/04/03/leaning-tower-of-pizzarotti-contractor-sues-fortis-over-alignment-issues-at-seaport-project/ |access-date=March 10, 2023 |website=The Real Deal |archive-date=March 11, 2023 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20230311014245/https://therealdeal.com/new-york/2019/04/03/leaning-tower-of-pizzarotti-contractor-sues-fortis-over-alignment-issues-at-seaport-project/ |url-status=live }}</ref><ref>{{cite news |last1=Spivack |first1=Caroline |date=April 3, 2019 |title=Contractor sues developer over 'leaning' lower Manhattan condo tower |publisher=Curbed |url=https://ny.curbed.com/2019/4/3/18292635/fortis-pizzarotti-contractor-sues-developer-leaning-lower-manhattan-condo-tower |url-status=dead |access-date=April 25, 2019 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20190405174201/https://ny.curbed.com/2019/4/3/18292635/fortis-pizzarotti-contractor-sues-developer-leaning-lower-manhattan-condo-tower |archive-date=April 5, 2019}}</ref> By then, Pizzarotti was no longer employed as the general contractor.<ref name="Rebong 20192">{{cite web |last=Rebong |first=Kevin |date=May 13, 2019 |title=Fortis Property Group - Pizzarotti - 161 Maiden Lane |url=https://therealdeal.com/new-york/2019/05/13/fortis-blames-pizzarotti-for-leaning-seaport-tower/ |access-date=March 10, 2023 |website=The Real Deal}}</ref> According to local website ''New York YIMBY'', work on the building had been halted for several months.<ref name="New York YIMBY 2019">{{cite web |last=Young |first=Michael |date=April 16, 2019 |title=Visible Construction Halts as One Seaport Allegedly Begins To Lean, at 161 Maiden Lane, in the Financial District |url=https://newyorkyimby.com/2019/04/construction-halts-as-one-seaport-allegedly-begins-to-lean-at-161-maiden-lane-in-the-financial-district.html |access-date=March 10, 2023 |website=New York YIMBY |archive-date=October 14, 2022 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20221014071435/https://newyorkyimby.com/2019/04/construction-halts-as-one-seaport-allegedly-begins-to-lean-at-161-maiden-lane-in-the-financial-district.html |url-status=live }}</ref> Pizzarotti claimed that, due to the developers' use of soil improvement to construct the foundation, the building had settled unevenly, causing it to tilt; a subcontractor first noticed the issue in April 2018.<ref name="Spivack 2021">{{cite web |last=Spivack |first=Caroline |date=September 10, 2021 |title=The Leaning Tower of Seaport May Finally Break Its Bad Luck |url=https://www.curbed.com/2021/09/leaning-seaport-tower-may-break-its-bad-luck.html |access-date=March 10, 2023 |website=Curbed |archive-date=September 30, 2022 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20220930185625/https://www.curbed.com/2021/09/leaning-seaport-tower-may-break-its-bad-luck.html |url-status=live }}</ref><ref name=":0">{{cite news |last1=Baird-Remba |first1=Rebecca |date=April 2, 2019 |title=Contractor Sues Fortis Over 'Unsafe' Leaning Condo Tower Near Seaport |publisher=Commercial Observer |url=https://commercialobserver.com/2019/04/contractor-sues-fortis-over-unsafe-leaning-tower-condo-near-seaport/ |url-status=live |accessdate=April 25, 2019 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20190425203353/https://commercialobserver.com/2019/04/contractor-sues-fortis-over-unsafe-leaning-tower-condo-near-seaport/ |archive-date=April 25, 2019}}</ref> Pizzarotti claimed that it had difficulties installing the glass curtain wall because of the building's lean and that a continued lean would result in non-functioning windows, faulty elevators, and bad waterproofing.<ref name=":0" /><ref name="Clarke 2022">{{cite web |last=Clarke |first=Katherine |date=February 17, 2022 |title=The Ghost Condos of NYC's Financial District |url=https://www.wsj.com/articles/the-ghost-condos-of-nycs-financial-district-11645043359 |access-date=March 10, 2023 |work=Wall Street Journal |issn=0099-9660 |archive-date=February 20, 2023 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20230220000415/https://www.wsj.com/articles/the-ghost-condos-of-nycs-financial-district-11645043359 |url-status=live }}</ref>

Fortis filed a countersuit that May, blaming Pizzarotti for not properly surveying the construction site and for failing to ensure workers' safety.<ref name="Rebong 20192" /> The developer hired engineering firms WSP Global and Arup Group, which both concluded that the building's lean did not compromise its structural integrity. Ray Builders, which replaced Pizzarotti as general contractor, designed a glass curtain wall that accommodated the lean.<ref name="Spivack 2021" /> In June 2019, Fortis notified condominium buyers that the building was leaning about {{Convert|8|in}} to the north.<ref name="Lach u943" />

==== Work halts ==== Ray Builders stopped working on the project in July 2020, claiming that Fortis had failed to pay its workers.<ref name="Lach u943" /><ref name="Spivack 2021" /> The next month, Fortis sued Bank Leumi, claiming that the bank had failed to distribute part of the loan as scheduled.<ref name="Clarke 2022" /> Bank Leumi had placed the project's $120 million construction loan for sale in October 2020,<ref name="Hall City 2020">{{cite web |last=Hall |first=Miriam |date=October 14, 2020 |title=Construction Halted At Leaning Seaport Condo Tower Amid Legal Dispute Over Loan |url=https://www.bisnow.com/new-york/news/construction-development/leaning-tower-of-seaport-fortis-loan-106333 |access-date=March 10, 2023 |website=Bisnow |archive-date=November 1, 2020 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20201101080230/https://www.bisnow.com/new-york/news/construction-development/leaning-tower-of-seaport-fortis-loan-106333 |url-status=live }}</ref><ref name="Rebong 20202">{{cite web |last=Larsen |first=Keith |date=October 2, 2020 |title=One Seaport Construction Loan For Sale |url=https://therealdeal.com/new-york/2020/10/02/construction-loan-tied-to-leaning-seaport-condo-up-for-sale/ |access-date=March 10, 2023 |website=The Real Deal |archive-date=March 11, 2023 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20230311014257/https://therealdeal.com/new-york/2020/10/02/construction-loan-tied-to-leaning-seaport-condo-up-for-sale/ |url-status=live }}</ref> and the bank was foreclosing on the loan by the end of that year.<ref name="Media 2020">{{cite web |date=December 24, 2020 |title=Bank Leumi files to foreclose on Fortis's $120M loan at 161 Maiden Lane |url=https://www.pincusco.com/bank-leumi-files-to-foreclose-on-fortiss-120m-loan-at-161-maiden-lane/ |access-date=March 10, 2023 |website=PincusCo |archive-date=August 11, 2022 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20220811204451/https://www.pincusco.com/bank-leumi-files-to-foreclose-on-fortiss-120m-loan-at-161-maiden-lane/ |url-status=live }}</ref><ref name="Rebong 2020">{{cite web |last=Rebong |first=Kevin |date=December 28, 2020 |title=Seaport Condo Lender Seeks Foreclosure on $120M Loan |url=https://therealdeal.com/new-york/2020/12/28/leaning-seaport-condo-facing-foreclosure-on-120m-loan/ |access-date=March 10, 2023 |website=The Real Deal |archive-date=March 11, 2023 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20230311014337/https://buy.tinypass.com/checkout/template/cacheableShow?aid=p7sVIGTDn5&templateId=OTKM7F97TXNP&offerId=fakeOfferId&experienceId=EX4FQIM0EZ0Z&iframeId=offer_97e12a9720251a7aa748-1&displayMode=inline&pianoIdUrl=https%3A%2F%2Fid.tinypass.com%2Fid%2F&widget=template&url=https%3A%2F%2Ftherealdeal.com |url-status=live }}</ref> Due to the continuing delays, by February 2021, all except six of the condo buyers had reneged on their contracts.<ref name="Clarke 2022" /><ref name="Modi 2021">{{cite web |last=Modi |first=Priyanka |date=August 24, 2021 |title=Bank Leumi and Fortis Agree to Mediation Over 161 Maiden Lane |url=https://therealdeal.com/new-york/2021/08/24/seaport-developer-lender-agree-to-mediation-over-troubled-leaning-tower/ |access-date=March 10, 2023 |website=The Real Deal |archive-date=March 11, 2023 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20230311014247/https://therealdeal.com/new-york/2021/08/24/seaport-developer-lender-agree-to-mediation-over-troubled-leaning-tower/ |url-status=live }}</ref> In addition, because the upper stories had not yet been enclosed, they were vulnerable to temperature changes and weather.<ref name="YIMBY202102">{{Cite web |last=Young |first=Michael |date=February 19, 2021 |title=Seaport Residences' Future Remains Uncertain in Financial District, Manhattan |url=https://newyorkyimby.com/2021/02/seaport-residences-future-remains-uncertain-in-financial-district-manhattan.html |access-date=March 10, 2023 |website=New York YIMBY |language=en-US |archive-date=September 19, 2021 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20210919114020/https://newyorkyimby.com/2021/02/seaport-residences-future-remains-uncertain-in-financial-district-manhattan.html |url-status=live }}</ref> A state judge appointed a receiver to secure the site in May 2021, as the lawsuits proceeded.<ref name="Clarke 2022" /><ref name="Modi 2021" /> Ray resigned as general contractor,<ref name="Spivack 2021" /> and Engel Burman Construction was hired to secure the construction site.<ref name="Modi 2021" /> Richard Cohn was also appointed as the abandoned tower's manager.<ref name="Lach u943" />

Bank Leumi and Fortis agreed to mediation in August 2021.<ref name="Modi 2021" /><ref name="Hall City 2021">{{cite web |last=Hall |first=Miriam |date=August 25, 2021 |title='Leaning' Seaport Tower Developer, Lender Negotiating Over Condo's Future |url=https://www.bisnow.com/new-york/news/construction-development/leaning-seaport-tower-developer-and-lender-working-together-to-try-and-find-solution-for-condos-future-109987 |access-date=March 10, 2023 |website=Bisnow |archive-date=September 9, 2021 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20210909001920/https://www.bisnow.com/new-york/news/construction-development/leaning-seaport-tower-developer-and-lender-working-together-to-try-and-find-solution-for-condos-future-109987 |url-status=live }}</ref> Both the lender and the developer had withdrawn from mediation by March 2022, when a lawyer for Bank Leumi said the "parties were too far apart in discussions to reach any resolution".<ref name="Modi 2022">{{cite web |last=Modi |first=Priyanka |date=March 11, 2022 |title=Developer, Lender Headed to Trial in Seaport Project Dispute |url=https://therealdeal.com/new-york/2022/03/11/fight-is-on-for-leaning-seaport-tower-after-mediation-falls-apart/ |access-date=March 10, 2023 |website=The Real Deal |archive-date=March 11, 2023 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20230311014302/https://buy.tinypass.com/checkout/template/cacheableShow?aid=p7sVIGTDn5&templateId=OTKM7F97TXNP&offerId=fakeOfferId&experienceId=EX4FQIM0EZ0Z&iframeId=offer_97e12a9720251a7aa748-4&displayMode=inline&pianoIdUrl=https%3A%2F%2Fid.tinypass.com%2Fid%2F&widget=template&url=https%3A%2F%2Ftherealdeal.com |url-status=live }}</ref> Mack Real Estate sued Fortis, Harel Insurance Company, and Valley National Bank (which had acquired Bank Leumi's United States division) in September 2022. Mack claimed that Harel and Bank Leumi had fraudulently misused the $66 million mezzanine loan that Mack had placed on the project.<ref name="Monahan 2022">{{cite web |last=Monahan |first=Shea |date=September 7, 2022 |title=Fortis, Bank Leumi USA Accused of Fraud over One Seaport Mezz Loan |url=https://therealdeal.com/new-york/2022/09/07/mack-real-estate-sues-for-566m-over-fortis-project-loans/ |access-date=March 10, 2023 |website=The Real Deal |archive-date=March 11, 2023 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20230311014247/https://therealdeal.com/new-york/2022/09/07/mack-real-estate-sues-for-566m-over-fortis-project-loans/ |url-status=live }}</ref><ref name="Media 2022">{{cite web |date=September 2, 2022 |title=Mezz lender Mack sues Fortis, Bank Leumi and Harel at troubled Seaport condo, seeking millions |url=https://www.pincusco.com/mezz-lender-mack-sues-fortis-bank-leumi-and-harel-at-troubled-seaport-condo-seeking-millions/ |access-date=March 10, 2023 |website=PincusCo |archive-date=November 27, 2022 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20221127121956/https://www.pincusco.com/mezz-lender-mack-sues-fortis-bank-leumi-and-harel-at-troubled-seaport-condo-seeking-millions/ |url-status=live }}</ref> The project remained halted as of late 2022,<ref>{{cite news |last1=Young |first1=Michael |last2=Pruznick |first2=Matt |date=November 21, 2022 |title=Seaport Residences Remains Stalled at 161 Maiden Lane in Financial District, Manhattan |work=New York YIMBY |url=https://newyorkyimby.com/2022/11/seaport-residences-remains-stalled-at-161-maiden-lane-in-financial-district-manhattan.html |url-status=live |access-date=December 31, 2022 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20221231023555/https://newyorkyimby.com/2022/11/seaport-residences-remains-stalled-at-161-maiden-lane-in-financial-district-manhattan.html |archive-date=December 31, 2022}}</ref> in part due to continuing litigation over the site.<ref name="Crain's New York Business 2023 z783">{{cite web |last=Marroquin |first=Mario |date=May 17, 2023 |title=Wave of legal action stalls completion of 'Leaning Tower of Lower Manhattan' |url=https://www.crainsnewyork.com/real-estate/leaning-tower-lower-manhattan-stalls-amidst-litigation |access-date=November 20, 2023 |website=Crain's New York Business |archive-date=November 20, 2023 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20231120170838/https://www.crainsnewyork.com/real-estate/leaning-tower-lower-manhattan-stalls-amidst-litigation |url-status=live }}</ref> By mid-2023, the building had not had a working standpipe for over a year, making it difficult to put out any fires that might start in the tower.<ref name="Smith 2023 p062">{{cite web |last=Smith |first=Greg B. |date=May 16, 2023 |title=Stalled Condo Tower Near Wall Street Doesn't Just Tilt |url=https://www.thecity.nyc/2023/05/16/stalled-condo-maiden-lane-fdny-hazard/ |access-date=November 20, 2023 |website=THE CITY - NYC News}}</ref>

In August 2023, a judge ordered Fortis and Valley National to resume mediation.<ref name="Brenzel 2023 p194">{{cite web |last=Brenzel |first=Kathryn |date=August 31, 2023 |title=Judge to Fortis, Bank Leumi: Mediate Leaning Tower Dispute |url=https://therealdeal.com/new-york/2023/08/31/judge-to-fortis-bank-leumi-mediate-leaning-tower-dispute/ |access-date=November 20, 2023 |website=The Real Deal |archive-date=November 20, 2023 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20231120170836/https://therealdeal.com/new-york/2023/08/31/judge-to-fortis-bank-leumi-mediate-leaning-tower-dispute/ |url-status=live }}</ref><ref name="Long City 2023 g340">{{cite web |last=Long |first=Ciara |date=August 31, 2023 |title=Judge: Dispute Over Unfinished Seaport Condo Tower Caused 'Exponential Devaluation' |url=https://www.bisnow.com/new-york/news/construction-development/judge-tells-fortis-and-seaport-condo-lender-to-try-mediation-again-120467 |access-date=November 20, 2023 |website=Bisnow |archive-date=November 20, 2023 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20231120170836/https://www.bisnow.com/new-york/news/construction-development/judge-tells-fortis-and-seaport-condo-lender-to-try-mediation-again-120467 |url-status=live }}</ref> By that October, Shelly Listokin, who had previously agreed to buy the loans on the property, had filed for Chapter 11 bankruptcy protection to avoid buying the loans.<ref name="Brenzel 2023 n016">{{cite web |last=Brenzel |first=Kathryn |date=October 26, 2023 |title=Shelly Listokin Stalls His Purchase of 161 Maiden Lane Loans |url=https://therealdeal.com/new-york/2023/10/26/shelly-listokin-stalls-his-purchase-of-161-maiden-lane-loans/ |access-date=November 20, 2023 |website=The Real Deal |archive-date=November 20, 2023 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20231120170837/https://therealdeal.com/new-york/2023/10/26/shelly-listokin-stalls-his-purchase-of-161-maiden-lane-loans/ |url-status=live }}</ref> Fortis was also sued by its own lawyers that December, as the developer had not paid its legal team.<ref name="Larsen 2023 g618">{{cite web |last=Larsen |first=Keith |date=December 14, 2023 |title=Fortis Battles its Own Lawyers Over Seaport Fiasco |url=https://therealdeal.com/new-york/2023/12/14/fortis-battles-its-own-lawyers-over-seaport-fiasco/ |access-date=February 10, 2024 |website=The Real Deal |archive-date=December 17, 2023 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20231217022833/https://therealdeal.com/new-york/2023/12/14/fortis-battles-its-own-lawyers-over-seaport-fiasco/ |url-status=live }}</ref> Although there was no imminent safety risk at the tower, there were still concerns over how much the tower would move after cladding was completed.<ref name="Brenzel 2023 u296" /> Three graffiti artists had spray-painted the upper part of the facade; ''The New Yorker'' quoted one of these artists as saying that the building completely lacked a security detail.<ref name="Lach u943" /> By 2025, there were several ongoing lawsuits over the building, which had cost $250 million to date.<ref name="Lach u943" />

==References== {{reflist}}

==External links== *{{Official website|https://seaportresidencesnyc.com/}}

{{Financial District, Manhattan}}

Category:Inclined towers in the United States Category:Residential buildings in Manhattan Category:Financial District, Manhattan Category:Unfinished buildings and structures in the United States