In the February 2025 issue of The New Yorker, Eric Lach published a compelling article about the troubled rise—and literal tilt—of 1 Seaport, a luxury condo tower in Lower Manhattan.
Touted as the first all-glass residential skyscraper on the downtown waterfront, 1 Seaport drew interest from celebrities and international buyers, fueled by an aggressive marketing campaign led by real estate broker Fredrik Eklund. But behind the glossy renderings and sales pitches, the project was riddled with problems. In a cost-cutting move, developers opted for a “soil improvement” foundation rather than deep pilings—an unconventional choice that ultimately caused the building to lean by three inches to the north.
The situation worsened in 2017 when a 44-year-old construction worker, Juan Chonillo, died after falling from the 29th floor. His death, caused by poor safety practices, led to criminal charges against the subcontractor and brought construction to a halt. Legal battles quickly followed, with the developer Fortis Property Group, contractor Pizzarotti, and various subcontractors locked in lawsuits, each blaming the others for the structural flaws and delays.
Now partially completed and visibly leaning, 1 Seaport has earned the nickname “New York’s Leaning Tower.” More than $250 million has been spent, yet the building remains unfinished and vacant—an unmistakable symbol on the skyline and a stark reminder of how ambition, when mismanaged, can quite literally go sideways.
Sources:
Wikipedia
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=B_8lrUPaLIY
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=7QrvbUxOamo
https://www.newyorker.com/magazine/2025/02/10/the-leaning-tower-of-new-york
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