7 Shocking Facts About The New 633-Foot Skyscraper Rising At 1710 Broadway, New York
The iconic address of 1710 Broadway in New York City is currently undergoing one of the most dramatic transformations in Midtown Manhattan, shedding a century of history to make way for a towering new future. As of late 2024 and heading into 2025, the site at the corner of Broadway and West 54th Street is no longer home to a historic six-story structure but is rapidly ascending as a massive, 633-foot-tall hotel skyscraper. This development is not just another construction project; it represents a colossal $173 million real estate deal, a significant shift in the area's hospitality landscape, and the erasure of a landmark with deep ties to both the automotive industry and organized labor. The new structure, an ambitious project by a major international hotel chain, is set to redefine the skyline and the local business environment in the coming years.
This article dives deep into the current status of the 1710 Broadway project, exploring the building’s surprising past, the financial maneuvers that made the new tower possible, and the specific details of the massive hotel that is slated to open its doors. From a historic Ford showroom to the headquarters of a powerful labor union and now a towering hospitality venue, the site's history is as complex as its future is tall. The completion is anticipated for 2027, making the construction progress on this Midtown Manhattan site one of the most closely watched developments in the city.
The Colossal New Development: A 633-Foot RIU Hotel Skyscraper
The most immediate and striking fact about 1710 Broadway today is the sheer scale of the project underway. The old building has been fully demolished, and the site is now in the midst of vertical construction for a massive new hotel. This development is being spearheaded by the Spanish hotel chain, Riu Hotels and Resorts, and is set to be one of the tallest new structures in the immediate area.
1. It Will Be a 633-Foot, 54-Story Hotel
The new tower at 1710 Broadway is designed to reach a height of 633 feet and span 54 stories. This makes it a significant addition to the Midtown skyline, a true skyscraper that will dwarf the six-story structure it replaced. The design, executed by Moss Architects, emphasizes a modern, towering profile appropriate for its prime location near Times Square and the Theater District. The prominence of this new development underscores the continued investment and demand for high-rise commercial space in the heart of Manhattan.
2. The Tower Will Offer 673 New Hotel Rooms
The primary function of the 1710 Broadway skyscraper will be hospitality. The plans call for a colossal 673 hotel rooms, significantly boosting the area's capacity for tourism and business travel. This large room count signals the developer's confidence in the enduring appeal of the New York City market. The new hotel will operate under the Riu Hotels and Resorts brand, which already has a presence in the city with the Hotel Riu Plaza New York Times Square and the Hotel Riu Plaza Manhattan Times Square. The 1710 Broadway location, however, represents one of their most ambitious projects to date.
3. It Will Feature Two Massive 300-Seat Restaurants
Beyond the rooms, the new RIU hotel is slated to include extensive ground-floor amenities designed to serve both guests and the public. Specifically, the plans include two large 300-seat restaurants. These dining venues will add significant pedestrian traffic and commercial vitality to the corner of Broadway and West 54th Street, a bustling intersection already known for its proximity to world-class entertainment and dining. The inclusion of such large-scale public spaces is typical of major New York City hotel developments, aiming to create a destination in itself.
The Surprising History of the 1710 Broadway Site
Before the current construction boom, the address was defined by a building that stood for over a century, a structure whose history is interwoven with New York's industrial and social fabric. The demolition of the original building in 2023-2024 marked the end of an era for this specific plot of land.
4. It Was Originally a Ford Motor Company Showroom
The six-story building that previously occupied 1710 Broadway was constructed in 1919 and was designed by the prestigious architectural firm Carrère & Hastings, known for designing the New York Public Library. The building's initial purpose was a state-of-the-art Midtown showroom for the Ford Motor Company. This historical connection places the address at the center of the early 20th-century automotive boom, a time when Broadway was known as "Automobile Row." The building’s original design reflected the grandeur of this commercial era.
5. It Served as the Headquarters for the ILGWU
Following its tenure as an automotive hub, the building was sold in 1943 and became the headquarters for the powerful International Ladies' Garment Workers' Union (ILGWU). The ILGWU was one of the largest labor unions in the United States, representing workers in the women's clothing industry. For decades, 1710 Broadway served as a crucial nerve center for organized labor, a place where major decisions impacting thousands of workers were made. This history contrasts sharply with the building's current identity as a luxury hotel development.
6. Bad Boy Entertainment Was a Former Tenant
In a more recent, yet equally surprising, chapter of the building's life, the six-story structure was home to Bad Boy Entertainment. This record label, founded by Sean Combs (Diddy), was a powerhouse of 1990s and 2000s hip-hop and R&B, launching the careers of artists like The Notorious B.I.G., Mase, and Faith Evans. The presence of such a culturally significant entity on the site adds another layer of unique history to the address before its final demolition.
The High-Stakes Real Estate Deal and Future Timeline
The transition from a historic mid-rise to a towering modern skyscraper involved a complex and high-value real estate transaction, demonstrating the intense financial interest in prime Midtown sites.
7. The Site Sold for $173 Million in 2023
The development parcel was originally owned by Extell Development Company, a major New York City developer led by Gary Barnett. In 2023, Extell sold the site to Riu Hotels and Resorts for a staggering $173 million. This significant sale price highlights the extraordinary value of a corner development site on Broadway, even after years of planning and permitting by the previous owner. The transaction paved the way for Riu to take over the project and commence the current construction phase.
The construction is now well underway, with the foundation and lower levels of the 633-foot tower already visible above street level. The anticipated completion date for the new RIU Hotel skyscraper at 1710 Broadway is slated for 2027. Once finished, this massive hospitality venture will stand as a testament to the enduring, and ever-changing, real estate market of Midtown Manhattan, replacing a century of diverse history with a towering new presence.
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