A towering symbol of Black achievement is joining the New York City skyline. Affirmation Tower, which is currently in the development phase, is set to not only be Manhattan’s second tallest building by spire height, but the first skyscraper built by Blacks in the city’s history.
The building is a product of a dream team of Black developers including architect Sir David Adjaye (best-known for designing the National Museum of African American History and Culture in Washington, D.C.); real estate firm The Peebles Corporation, led by Black multi-millionaire R. Donahue Peebles; century-old Black and woman-owned design construction firm The McKissack Group; real estate investor Steven Charles Witkoff, founder of the Witkoff Group; and Exact Capital.
The team made its presentation to the Empire State Development Corporation last month in response to a request for proposals (RFP) with a commitment of 35% in contracts to people of color totaling more than a billion dollars.
Affirmation Tower will be located at 35th and 36th Streets, 11th Avenue and Hudson Boulevard West––across the street from the Jacob Javits Center, one block from the High Line, Hudson Yards and the No. 7 subway line. The project will sit on 1.2 acres and include a 1663-foot tower, two hotels, an observation deck and skating rink as well as commercial office spaces.
Affirmation Tower’s roof height would be taller than One World Trade, however, out of respect for what One World Trade Center represents, the team chose to frame the skyscraper as Manhattan’s second tallest building by spire height, and One World Trade would remain the tallest building in the city.
More than 55,500 New Yorkers will be hired over six years including 15,000 permanent jobs, bringing in more than $3.5 billion in new tax revenue for the city and state over 30 years. Another $3.5 billion is to be spent on the project which will be awarding contracts. The project will provide $4.4 billion of new economic output per year.
Affirmation Tower will house offices for the Mid-Manhattan branch of the National Association for the Advancement of Colored People (NAACP). The branch’s former building on the Upper West Side was demolished. Negotiations are underway to also house offices for the NAACP New York State Conference in Affirmation Tower.
In an interview with the AmNews, NAACP New York State Conference President Hazel Dukes said NAACP President and CEO Derrick Johnson thought it was a great idea to put the offices in the Affirmation Tower because of the building’s African American influence.
“It will be historical for the city and the state of New York,” Dukes said. “This will really be the icing on the cake for what we’ve been fighting for all these years. McKissick and Don Peebles have a track record. They are qualified and they can do this.”
In an interview with the AmNews, Cheryl McKissack, President and CEO of The McKissack Group, said 80% of Affirmation Tower will be Black-owned and aims to be a tourist destination similar to the National Museum of African American History and Culture. The McKissack Group will be a 10% partner on the building.
“It’ll gain so much notoriety because it’s never been done before,” McKissack said. “We need something big and bold to say that New York is the place that you want to be because we’re forward-thinking, we’re progressive in our thinking. We’re not just doing the status quo. We’re doing something new here. This project is emblematic of true equity in development. A symbol for all who visit New York, cementing in brick and mortar that New York is serious about economic inclusion.”
McKissack added that Affirmation Tower is a concept she hopes will be replicated in other cities across the nation. The building is getting international attention because of its historical significance.
“Affirmation Tower in New York will spur other developments across the country, especially in urban areas,” McKissack said. “Other cities are taking note and they’re competing for people to come to their cities and they know that this is a big attraction. We’re striving for excellence here. If you go to Affirmation Tower versus the Freedom Tower or Hudson Yards, you’re gonna have the same level of quality.”
Exact Capital, which will be a 10% partner, will serve as financiers, project management and communicate with all members of the development team. The company’s managing partner, Craig Livington, said the racial equity movement in 2020 has opened people’s eyes and acknowledged that economic opportunity has not been fairly allocated amongst all Americans.
“Affirmation Tower is a unique, once-in-a-lifetime opportunity to contribute to the rebuilding of New York City coming out of this COVID era,” Livington said during an interview with the AmNews. “For African Americans, it’s a unique opportunity to affect the skyline in New York City to build a building that will be an international landmark for generations to come and also a source of pride for African Americans. This building affirms the concept that we can be broad, we can be inclusive, and that African Americans can participate in the economic story of New York.”
Livingston adds that the project will feed the “Minority Business Enterprise (MBE) ecosystem” creating jobs and economic stimulation for the Black community.
“Whenever a Black developer is awarded a project, we have a much higher propensity to employ more African American, Black, minority companies and they in turn employ Black and Brown employees,” he said. “We are feeding this ecosystem. These dollars are being proliferated through different companies and into our communities and it’s meaningful. This is something that should happen all over the country as we look at the reopening of so many different cities and the rebuilding of so many different economies coming out of this COVID era.”
The Affirmation Tower economics sound momentous and the opportunities plentiful. Congratulations! HOWEVER, the design of the structure as presented here is horrible in many ways. The architect(s) need to rethink this in a big way. The super-tall, top heavy approach may align with capitalism, but it does not align with who we ate and where we come from as a people. I know … I hope … you can do better and still have strong numbers.
“who we ARE and where we come from as a people.”
The Affirmation Towers will be a new beginning – a resurgence so to speak of the Black dollar recycling over and over again. It’s sure to build an economic pipeline for and by Blacks. We have lost momentum over the years with other ethic groups gaining traction. As a native Bronxite, New Yorker, I am looking forward to entertaining my business in this development. On another note, the building is overarching and looks awkward. Come on architects, I know the building can look more pleasing to the eye.
A real estate broker by trade and Wealth Management Certified Professional
Not a fan of the design. Doesn’t have any semblence of struggle or achievement. Looks unstable and backwards, that’s not what you want to project. Let the people who will support and utilize the building have input into the design. Get a new architect, but I know it’s already been approved by the “board of dictators” who say “Here, we decided how it should look. Take it or leave it.”
I agree the design is top heavy and boring. The genius of black culture is improvisation. The design is the antithesis of that. Architect needs to re-think the concept.
Congrats this is a big deal for NYC , However I would love to see your company develop a few things in Harlem as for the building design I’ve seen a similar design in Boston Mass but not as tall ..
THE UGLIEST DESIGN EVER!!! WHY DAVID AJAYE?????? HE IS NOT African American DAMMIT!!!!!!!!! Stop excluding us!!!! WHO CHOOSE AJAYE???
Design can be flipped so at least it will symbolize a pyramid in some way which denotes a connection to time immemorial…would suggest ascension and an everlasting place in history and time… will be more aesthecially pleasing… where is the African design in that monstrosity? … and does Ajaye have to get all of the projects??? African American architects are in the “minority” in that field but they do exist…outstanding, gifted architects, just as brilliant, if not moreso……symbol of us???….NO!!! Do not accept that…we are STRONG, ENDURING, SPECIAL AND POSITIVELY, BEAUTIFULLY UNIQUE…”as mentioned above”, this project can make the statement of “big and bold”. What is big and bold about that image? It will NOT be “a source of pride” just like the African Renassaince Monument in Senegal, hough massive, and a feat it is not a source of pride for the masses of Senegalese…SMH..PATHETIC…
I agree. The design should be rethought. BUT, it is a symbol this way, awkward and unstable, as mentioned above. What does this really say about us and where, we are going? Looking from Harlem to Downtown, the idea is awesome, the execution, speculative.
WHO CHOSE AJAYE!!!??? I am so upset that I did not even see my typos!
The design of the building is not pleasing to the eye. It reminds me of the WTC when you see it up close. Also why is this being built downtown instead of in the Harlem area. There is plenty of space in Harlem i.e. 125th street across from the Apollo Theatre. There is building that has been vacant for years the department store Blumstein. I realize some small business may be displaced but there should be some accommodation made and have those businesses relocate in the new building. Also why build where the only train is the no. 7. If you build on125th street or any other place there should be more than one way to travel to the destination. If they built on 125th Street there are multiple ways to travel via public transportation. Also isn’t there plans to build a luxury hotel on 125th street which would be good for people travelling on business to be in walking distance to the building?
Separate but equal is what we fought against in the civil rights movement.
This should be considered the beginning of what to come in our community. I’m so proud to this achievement thus far…
An exclamation point symbolizes “affirmation.” I guess this is what the architect Ajaye is trying to say in this awkward design. Indeed all kinds of jobs will be generated… while a mere 35% will be going to Blackfolk, the bulk of the money- 65% -will be invested in white capital and white workers. KEY QUESTION: How many Black businesses and residents will be able to afford to be in this building and complex?
I agree with Imam. I second that emotion. Who??? What?
I Love it. At first it looks scary but our history was as well. Who would have known that the First African American Owned Skyscraper in NYC would be built in the same area called the Tenderloin . In the 1800’s Underground was farms of animals where the African American community lived and raised them ; in which they later transported to the animals to the meatpacking district. I Look forward to visiting the “Affirmation Tower” maybe even living there. Much of Our history is in that area before our community started heading to Harlem. Thank you I really appreciate it. What a blessing
What needs affirmation? Aren’t we all Americans? Or is it affirmation of fragility? OUR country is going backwards, I pray for the day we wake up and realize we are all Americans and as long as you’re good people with good virtues I will always have your 6. The design is representative of the frame of mind necessary to want segregation back. I don’t know about any of you but I never want “separate but equal” it’s sloganeering of racists. I hope we wake up from this trance and unify against our true enemies like the ones in D.C. enriching themselves from our tax dollars! Taxation without representation is theft.
Don are sure your” appropriating ideal “Capitalism” [ incepted] architectural concept? I know Mayor Adams going to approved what? Sorry Don “Architectural review board” going submit an revision height. Exterior rendering concur design is ugly Don believe, Affirmation Tower. Resolve housing crisis in NYC? Disapprove of horribly conceive concept I know Jay Z,African Dictator or shell firms purchase it! Hudson yards neighbor “note: phase 2 suddenly increase height? Voting against it irrelevant “name” Affirmation Tower” exclusive totally racist Don!
Really statement economically for whom? Certain not social and economic apathy of Black Americas…I forgotten if. Those decrying label identify with Don’s ideology! Don you can pass not “Light Skin” or Pinky shade you, no how evade taxes! Tower is ugly plenty of competition among the REITS seek build “Class A” towers Don! How about secondary tower for lower income would appropriate the concept moron! Name inappropriate conveys bigotry not diversity please!
Learning the history of the McKissack family, I realize the strengths and possibilities that are achievable by people of color. This is a monumental taking and I fully support and commend the McKissacks in this endeavor. I will continue to follow your success and promote your efforts to those that seek out opportunities. Congrats.
_If not now…when? This is not corporate welfare or something. That’s a lot of capital on the line. None of that ‘who moved my cheese’ on this project.