Construction on the Cornell Tech campus at Roosevelt Island is officially underway.
The project’s first residential tower will be the only high-rise residential tower in the world built to Passive House standards, a standard that reduces energy use and creates a healthier living environment, the New York Post reported. Speaking at the groundbreaking ceremony Tuesday, Mayor Bill de Blasio said, “It’s a transformative notion.”
The tower will be 270-feet tall and have 350 residential units. It is slated to open in 2017.
Earlier this week, it was reported that former mayor Michael Bloomberg is donating $100 million to the $2 billion project.
Permits for a Forest City Ratner-developed academic building at the campus were filed in January. [NYP] — Tess Hofmann