By Gus Saltonstall
Work has come to a halt at the construction site of the future tallest building on the Upper West Side due to the presence of asbestos.
A “Stop Work Order” has been placed by the New York City Department of Environmental Protection on the work connected to 77 West 66th Street, which is part of the lot where Extell Development is constructing an 86-story building.
Once built, it will be the tallest building on the Upper West Side by more than 400 feet. Extell Development filed the permits for the new 1,182-foot building this April.
“DEP issued a Stop Work Order for the entire building on July 24 after an inspection found that water‑proofing tar material containing asbestos had been disturbed during demolition,” a spokesperson for the DEP emailed West Side Rag. “Work may not resume until a cleanup scope of work for all asbestos‑containing material has been submitted and approved, and the asbestos‑containing material has been properly abated. Once those steps are complete, the stop work order would be lifted and construction may proceed.”
It means no work has been done on that specific building for more than 15 days.
Asbestos is a mineral fiber found in rock and soil that can break during construction, including demolition work, into microscopic fibers that float in the air. Once these fibers get inhaled, they become permanently trapped in the lungs and can cause damage or cancer.
There is also an “Order to Stop Work” sign for the “entire building” posted to the green wall of the construction site on West 66th Street, between Columbus Avenue and Central Park West.
Extell Development did not immediately respond to WSR’s request for comment.
The new building will have 430 residential units, amenity space, roughly 25,000 square feet of retail space, and a garage with 187 parking spots, according to the permit filed by David Rothstein, an executive vice president at Extell.
In the fall of 2025, demolition work connected to the project spurred complaints from neighbors about the smell of burning rubber and watering eyes if you stood on West 66th or 67th streets, between Columbus and Central Park West.
At the time, DEP inspected the site and found no violations.
“I want to congratulate the DEP for doing adequate inspections, I know they’ve been staying on top of the noise meters and obviously in this case the air,” Upper West Side Councilmember Gale Brewer told the Rag on a phone call. “It is a concern that asbestos was not dealt with adequately and I am looking forward to any further inspections to make sure it is actually cleared up.”
It is unclear when work will restart at the Upper West Side construction site.
Thank you to the anonymous tipster who noticed the work had stopped in recent weeks.
Read More:
- What’s to Come for ABC’s Former UWS Campus? It’s Up in the Air…
- Negotiations About ABC’s Former Upper West Side Facilities Still Under Wraps
- CB7 Pushes for Affordable Housing at Former UWS ABC Campus, But Developer Plans Still Uncertain
- Extell Chairman Says He Willing to Include Affordable Housing at Former UWS ABC Site
- Demolition Work Sparks Complaints at Former UWS ABC Site: Possible 1,200-Foot Building on the Way
- New 86-Story Building Proposed for the Upper West Side; Would be Tallest in the Neighborhood
Subscribe to West Side Rag’s FREE email newsletter here. And you can Support the Rag here.
Gross. Best not to walk near construction sites or anywhere where they’re renovating — because nobody takes precautions. This site — there was so much white ‘smoke’ (chemicals or what have you) blowing around. Also when people decide to cut through wood and metal right on sidewalks. Asbestos — yeah — yummy!
You have to be exposed to asbestos for a prolonged time for it to do any harm. Walking by is not dangerous.
That means not walking in NYC!
The question, of course, is whether they will do it the “right” and “legal” way, or cut corners and end up spewing asbestos all over the area and the UWS. (Given that its Extell, I don’t trust them as far as I can throw them.) We all better get the number for Weitz & Luxembourg ready.
The irresponsibility and arrogance of the developer is staggering. Not to get overly political, it reflects the “I’ll do whatever I want” and “laws are for the little people” attitude of certain politicians. Glad I have plenty of N95 masks left over from the pandemic to wear when I’m forced to walk near this mess.
For those unaware, Extell made its debut by buying the land under Trump’s Riverside South for ~$1.2 billion in 2005. Their first big project was the two horrendous overly tall buildings on either side of Broadway b/w 99th and 100th. After that, they started building “supertalls,” including one on 47th Street, and two of the five on West 57th Street (with a third in planning stages). And both of the supertalls (one completed, one in development) on 66th. The only “good” thing they ever did was the renovation and restoration of the Belnord.
BTW, did I mention that Gary Barnett (Extell CEO) and Mike Bloomberg are best friends?
Unbelievable that it is allowed to be so tall. The ruination of Manhattan continues apace.
Height of buildings are determined by zoning, and that is under control of NYC.
IIRC NYC gave very generous zoning for that area in aid of attracting whatever media (television) company was looking for space. Well ABC studios have moved but the zoning is what it is…..
Really gross- who needs the tallest building on the west side! Charm needs to be preserved.
Excel doesn’t care what happens to the humans around their buildings. It’s all about the money. Frankly the CITY. Failed the neighborhood and continues to do so. Developers rule.
This should be a quick fix.
Has anyone shared the plan and or renderings for this project, specifically this tall building? Please share if there is!
430 units with only 187 parking spaces? Is there gonna be a bike room?
Only about 22% of Manhattan households own cars. This building has spots available to 43% of the units.
Extell. Wow what a surprise. Another big RE company that doesn’t give two _____ about the community or people.
I for one am delighted by the Stop Work order and hope it never gets built . Huge corporations destroy beauty and individualty and character, and for only one reason–the pursuit of profit. Money can never take the place of what is truly of value–neighborhoods, the people who live in them, art preservation, and so much more.
We have to be strong for each other and insist on a more humane and happy world. Insist in whatever ways we can.
Thoughts from UWS Dad?