It appears that the second Oro tower (construction site at right) has dropped plans to use part of its building as a condo-hotel and more than 100,000 square feet from the total size of the building, according to recent Department of Buildings filings. Earlier this year, plans were rejected for a 38-story, 344,992-square-foot tower with 74 residential units and a hotel, which sources said would be a condo-hotel. Owners of condo-hotel units generally get hotel-like amenities and supposedly generate income on their property while they were away. Unlike the controversial Trump SoHo condo-hotel, in a manufacturing district, owners in this area could live in their units year-round because the area is zoned for residential. But a Department of Buildings spokeswoman said yesterday new plans are being considered that include a more modest 35 stories, 235,382 square feet, 208 residential units and no hotel, which was the original program filed. All of this might explain why there’s been little activity at the construction site since last summer. Meanwhile, it looks like the windows over at the first Oro (left) could use some touching up. UPDATE: Ken Fisher writes in in the comments section: “I’m the developer’s land use counsel. Neither he, the architect or I have any idea what this post is based on. A bunch of different designs have been filed with the DOB at various times, but there hasn’t been any recent change to drop 100,000 sq. ft. and it is still proceeding as a mixed use building, about 3/4 hotel and the rest residential.”
What’s Up with Oro Part Deux? [Brownstoner]
Owners of Condo-Hotel Units Unhappy [WSJ]