Vornado Realty Trust recently hired Pavarini McGovern to provide preconstruction phase services for a new commercial/office tower in upper Manhattan. The 1800 Park Avenue and its class “A” office space will be a significant, positive step in the legacy of upper Manhattan. Following nearly 50 years of blight, Harlem began a recovery in the early 1990s through federal funding and the establishment of “empowerment zones” to aid in revitalizing distressed communities by using public funds and tax incentives as catalysts for private investments.

The current schematic design calls for the construction of a new mixed-use building of approximately 21 stories with two levels below for a total area of 590,000-GSF. The class “A” office space will total approximately 450,000-GSF; retail on the ground, second and lower level will total approximately 90,000-GSF. Parking will consist of approximately 50 spaces on lower level two accessed via elevators from 124th Street. The current design has a five-story base occupying the full lot area, setting back into a tower with floor plates of approximately 20,750-SF, resulting in a building with a total of 21 stories above grade. The conceptual design study indicates a steel framed structure with a curtain wall and masonry façade. In addition, the site received admission into the Brownfield program, and the project may ultimately become an environmentally friendly “green” building and subject to LEED® certification guidelines. The project will also include a minority business enterprise (M/W/LBE) and workforce participation plan.

Major League Baseball will be the building's future anchor tenant. According to the New York Daily News, MLB plans to start its cable network at the1800 Park Avenue building.