New & Offensive: 949 Park Ave

Things are about to get all sorts of, er, exotic on Park Ave between 81st and 82nd. Behold 949 Park Ave: it's the byproduct of modernist architecture firm C3D Architecture. Even though the property sits outside of the UES's historic district, we're still surprised something so incongruous with the area was able to go under the radar.

Records show the building traded for $6 million in 2007 to Benjamin Solemini (or "949 Park Ave, LLC"). After demolishing a diminutive townhouse on the property, the developer is now well on his way to complete a 16-story modern building, which will offer 12 residences, some of which appear to be duplexes. The top three floors, however, appear to be absent from the current construction site.

We're rather disappointed to see that this development looks little like the swank yet traditional 985 Park Ave (shown on the right).

Regardless, we'll stay optimistic that 949 will probably look better than it does in the above rendering. Otherwise, perhaps leave the black cloth on?

Renderings via C3D Architecture and 985 Park