10 Biggest Construction Projects in New York City

The sky’s the limit when it comes to construction in The Big Apple, which is why we’ve compiled a list of the 10 biggest construction projects in NYC. 

If you are anything like me, your both intrigued and a little annoyed at the amount of construction in New York City. I think most New Yorkers lean more on the side of “extremely annoyed” though. While it’s a headache to deal with and makes life more complicated between commuting, noise, and congestions, it is amazing to see what architects can design and come up with when it comes to a new skyscraper in the city. Probably even more incredible, is how quickly these monstrosities can be completed. I mean, it still shocks me that it took just slightly over a year to complete — in 1930!  When I was a kid, for a while, I wanted to be an architect. Now, however, I see that I don’t really have those skills, and the world is probably better off not having to work or live in a building I designed. Regardless of my lack of skills, I still appreciate unique architecture that helps a building stand out among a sea of others in a city as big as New York.

According to Engineering News-Record New York (ENR), the city saw a decline in the amount of construction in 2016. However, the city still saw billions of dollars in construction starts last year. ENR reported that the city saw about $11.5 billion in construction, which was down from 2015’s almost $20 billion. It’s no surprise as it seems like there’s scaffolding and a construction site to navigate around when making your way through the city. This massive market for construction and constant business is why New York is home to some major construction companies, which you can learn about with our list of the 10 largest construction companies in NY and NJ. As the city continues to grow and modernize, I don’t see things “slowing down” or changing anytime soon when it comes to construction. Since you’re probably wondering what all the construction is leading to and what the skyline will look like in a decade, we’ve decided to help you out with a list of some of the biggest construction projects currently going on in the city.

In order to come up with our list of biggest construction projects in NYC right now, it took some searching to find out what major projects are currently being developed. To do this, we consulted with sites like Business Insider and The Real Deal to determine the projects that would make our list. Because it is difficult to determine which is biggest by space, we decided to rank our list based on estimated construction costs. Some of these projects are occurring over the course of many years, while some are just a portion of a bigger project to happen later, so we focused on what is currently under construction. So, at the top of our list you’ll find the most expensive project.

Put your hard hat on and let’s take a look at the 10  biggest construction projects in NYC.

10. Industry City

Estimated Cost: $1 billion

We are continuing our list of biggest construction projects in NYC with this project that is based in Brooklyn and that will eventually be a business spanning across six million square feet. They’re renovating and repurposing an old industrial building with views of Brooklyn’s waterfront. On top of retail and workspaces, the complex will eventually have amenities like parking, gyms, open space and food options.

9. Essex Crossing 

Estimated Cost: $ 1.1 Billion

This massive development will soon be home to about two million square feet of residential, commercial, and community space in Manhattan’s Lower East Side. Plans say it will be home to about 1,000 mixed-income apartments. Like most of the current construction in the city, it will be modern and full of glass. Recent announcements of a Target store coming to the location has drawn mixed reactions.

8. Hunter’s Point South

Estimated Cost: $2 Billion

Hunter’s Point South, the next on our list of biggest construction projects in NYC is one of the few projects on the list that’s not in Manhattan, and it will soon transform Long Island City. The residential complex will offer beautiful views of the east side of Manhattan and will offer rent stabilized apartments.

7. Cornell Tech Campus

Estimated Cost: $2 Billion

We are continuing our list of biggest construction projects in NYC with Cornell University that is completely transforming Roosevelt Island with the construction of its new tech campus. The campus will be a home for students, academics, faculty and staff and tech companies. It is being built in phases and the first, a state-of-the-art dormitory will open this year. The 26-story building will be the largest, energy-efficient dorm in the world at a cost of $115 million.

6. One Vanderbilt

Estimated Cost: $3 Billion

This building’s unique design will soon stand tall across the Manhattan skyline as New York City’s 4th tallest building. Though the building itself will only be 57 floors, its spire will stand at around 1,400 feet. Developers began construction in 2015, but had to demolish the site, to make room for the new tower first. You can expect to see the new tower, standing next to Grand Central Station, in 2020.

5.  2 World Trade Center

Estimated Cost: $4 Billion

Since September 11, the area where the World Trade Centers used to stand, has been a constant construction zone. Though the long-awaited One World Trade Center is completed, the entire development still has a ways to go. With its complicated design, developers estimate the costs of 2 World Trade Center will surpass those of its Freedom Tower neighbor. Once completed, it will be home to 80 floors and nearly three million square feet of office, retail and amenity space. 

4. Pacific Park 

Estimated Cost: $6 billion

Coming in at number four on our list of 10 biggest construction projects in NYC, with an enormous estimated cost of around $6 billion is a massive and soon-to-be bustling, Brooklyn project. From luxury condos to office space, and shopping to a transportation center, this project offers everything you need. Once completed, it will encompass 22 acres of redeveloped space in Brooklyn’s downtown.

3. Laguardia Airport Redevelopment

Estimated Cost: $8 Billion

New York’s airports always seem to be too small and too out-dated, for the number of travelers who use them on a daily basis. To combat this, the city is hoping to transform and expand Laguardia Airport, adding a new, “unified” terminal that will bring 8,000 direct jobs, 10,000 indirect jobs, and hopefully a lot less headache for travelers. In the meantime, getting to the airport is chaotic due to all the construction. And now, let’s see the top two entries on our list of biggest construction projects in NYC.

 2. East Side Access

Estimated Cost: $10 Billion

This Metro Transportation Authority project, the next one on our list of biggest construction projects in NYC aims to connect the New York’s Long Island Rail Road (LIRR) to a new station on the city’s east side. The massive, new station is currently being constructed beneath Grand Central Station and service is scheduled to start around the end of 2022.

1.  Hudson Yards 

Estimated Cost: $20 Billion

Not surprisingly, topping our list is the Hudson Yards project that has also landed itself a spot as the largest private real estate development in American history. Like some of the other developments on our list, it offers everything all in one, but takes it to a new level. Once completed, this architect’s dream will include more than 18 million square feet of commercial and residential space. 

Next time you’re roaming around the city, now you’ll have a better idea of why a certain street or sidewalk is blocked off, thanks to our list of 10 biggest construction projects in NYC.