New look for New York City's skyline

A brand new skyscraper is to be built just two blocks away from the famed Empire State building, giving New York City's skyline a whole new look.

The city council has approved plans to build the 67-floor skyscraper, currently named 15 Penn Plaza and designed by the architectural firm Pelli Clarke Pelli, despite objections from owners of the Empire State Building, New York City's tallest structure.

The full city council overwhelmingly approved the project in a 47-1 vote and Mayor Michael Bloomberg has voiced support for the building.

Empire State Building owner Anthony Malkin was arguing that the new structure would ruin the view from his building.

“This is not about banning tall buildings, but about preserving the very uniqueness of the New York City skyline,” he said. But Mayor Bloomberg said that the new structure “would be a great addition to our skyline."

The new skyscraper, which will have 67 floors and be 370 metres tall, will be built across the street from Penn Station, a major bus and rail hub. The Empire State Building has 102 floors is 381 metres tall.

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