The Biltmore expected to open in spring. (Management Personnel).

As the last bucket of concrete was raised with the American flag, construction at The Biltmore, a 51-story, multimillion dollar, luxury mixed-use tower located on 47th Street and Eighth Avenue, was ceremoniously topped out in August 2002. In a joint venture to develop this high-end residential tower, The Jack Parker Corporation and The Moinian Group formed Biltmore Tower, LLC. The Jack Parker Corporation is undertaking the development, construction and management of the project. The Biltmore will be ready for occupancy in the Spring 2003.

"We have reached the 51st floor within a record time of 350 days since breaking ground on Aug. 16 of last year," said Jean-Pierre Vaganay, chief operating officer of The Jack Parker Corporation, during the topping out ceremony. "We are very proud to be participating in the residential development of New York City and are extremely pleased with the progress of the project. Floor after floor, we have been amazed by the magnificent views The Biltmore will offer to its residents, including those of the Statue of Liberty, the Hudson River, Midtown and Downtown Manhattan."

Vaganay further thanked all those responsible for the success of the project. "Take a look at The Biltmore and observe the superb accomplishment of the men and women we are honoring today. The city is on the rise and we are all proud to be part of it," he concluded.

Designed by renowned architecture firm Schuman Lichtenstein Claman & Efron, The Biltmore will stand out as one New York City's premier high-end residential properties. From its dramatic street-level entrance and its fourth-floor health and social club, to its full service valet and concierge desk, the property will offer the ultimate in luxury for New Yorker's looking to live in a prominent Midtown Manhattan neighborhood.

Located on the northeast corner of 47th Street and Eighth Avenue, adjacent the historic Biltmore Theater, The Biltmore is just steps from numerous corporate headquarters, Times Square, The Theater District, Rockefeller Center and Restaurant Row. Biltmore's residents can take advantage of this live/work/play neighborhood with its numerous theater attractions and such popular restaurants and lounges as Blue Fin in the W Hotel, Barbetta and the world famous, Orso.

The Biltmore will offer 464 high-end rental units, 93 of which will be designated to the LIHTC Program. The market apartments will include finishes such as oak floors, granite countertops, and tiled bathrooms with a custom wood vanity. There is an interesting use of unusual light fixtures throughout, from a 'swaged' globe in the kitchen to a modem vanity light in the bathroom. The common corridors take a step away from the usual nondescript drabness of New York apartment buildings with custom fabric drum shade lighting and each apartment entry boasts a walnut plank panel surround.

Complementing The Biltmore's distinct architecture and design is a spectacular lobby and 4th floor social center created by cutting-edge, design firm MCCARTAN.

"MCCARTAN was chosen for their ability to deliver modern, cutting-edge interiors that aspire to be new classics and eschew trendy fashionable design statements," noted Kimberly Cafaro, general manager of The Biltmore. "There is no question that the look of The Biltmore will be very dramatic with refined, elegant tones which instantly draw your attention."

The lobby design is uniquely modern, almost entirely wrapped in walnut planks, which have been sandblasted to give them a very natural almost 'used' appearance. The concierge desk has the rough monolithic appearance of a granite block cut straight from the quarry that seems to float inches above the lobby floor.

Seating is provided by two classic leather Eames chairs and wood Eames stools assembled to create a coffee table. A large, overscale pendant light with a classical pattern completes, yet gives the lobby a contrasting style.

The Biltmore will also have approximately 35,000 SF of prime retail space on the ground, second and third floors. The 6,500-SF prime ground floor retail space will offer 17-foot ceiling heights and tremendous frontage in one of the most well trafficked areas in New York City.

In addition to the residential tower portion of the project, in November 2001 the partnership announced an agreement with the Manhattan Theater Club for the restoration of the historic Biltmore Theater. The grand opening of the newly renovated theater is planned for the 2003 Broadway season.