New York's skinniest skyscraper at 262 Fifth Avenue sparks outrage

A new residential tower at 262 Fifth Avenue in New York City, with a slenderness ratio of 19:1 (the average is 10:1), has become the most hated skyscraper in the world. Developed by Russian-Israeli billionaire Boris Kuzinez for over $180 million, the building will house 26 residences of about 300 square meters each, priced between $9 and $23 million, with commercial spaces on lower floors. The controversy stems from its location on the visual axis between the Flatiron District and the Empire State Building. New York City's zoning code (C5-3) allows unlimited height without special permits or public review, unlike London (25 protected views since 1938), Paris (12-story limit), or Vancouver (24 protected view cones). The only protected view corridor in NYC is the Brooklyn Heights Promenade toward Lower Manhattan, established in 1953. Critics argue that a public good—the view of the Empire State Building enjoyed for nearly a century—has become a private privilege for 26 apartments. No legal action is possible as the tower complies with all regulations. An Instagram account, @fu2625ave, channels public anger in the spirit of Ai Weiwei's critiques of power architecture.