MoMa's New Nouvel Tower Is Approved

The Museum of Modern Art is gearing up to shine like the top of the Chrysler Building now that New York's City Council has granted approval for its new 82-story tower. Designed by French architect Jean Nouvel, the new MoMA building will be erected next to the museum and will stand 1,025 feet tall. That’s 225 feet shorter than the initial proposal, which would have measured as tall as an antenna-less Empire State Building. But the City Planning Commission cut the height last month. Though the City Council approved the new building plan in a 44-3 vote, some are unhappy with the location and may threaten legal action. Until then, the project will continue as planned, under a deal with developer Hines. The building is set to include luxury housing, hotel rooms, and more exhibit space for the museum. Though Hines, which paid MoMA $125 million for the site, has yet to establish a timeline for the project, one councilman said, “This is going to be an iconic addition to New York City’s skyline, really a one-of-its-kind building.”