{"id":26876,"date":"2025-02-03T00:00:00","date_gmt":"2025-02-03T00:00:00","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/columbusintl.com\/the-300-million-leaning-tower-of-manhattan-a-real-estate-development-gone-wrong\/"},"modified":"2025-09-12T21:21:38","modified_gmt":"2025-09-12T21:21:38","slug":"the-300-million-leaning-tower-of-manhattan-a-real-estate-development-gone-wrong","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/columbusintl.com\/en\/the-300-million-leaning-tower-of-manhattan-a-real-estate-development-gone-wrong\/","title":{"rendered":"The $300 Million Leaning Tower of Manhattan: A Real Estate Development Gone Wrong"},"content":{"rendered":"

Looking to buy or rent property in New York? Columbus International real estate agents are at your service:<\/a> info@columbusintl.com<\/a><\/strong><\/em><\/p>\n

In New York<\/strong>‘s competitive luxury real estate market<\/strong>, the story of 1 Seaport stands as a cautionary tale of ambitious development, cost-cutting decisions, and devastating consequences. The 60-story glass residential skyscraper, developed by Fortis Property Group with projected sales of $300 million, now leans up to eight inches off-center\u2014a $250 million mistake that remains unfinished and embroiled in litigation.<\/p>\n

A Promising Start<\/h2>\n

When Fredrik Eklund, star broker of “Million Dollar Listing New York,” secured the exclusive rights to sell 1 Seaport’s units in 2016, the project seemed destined for success. Within eight weeks, Eklund had pre-sold 20 units, demonstrating strong market demand for luxury waterfront properties in Manhattan’s Financial District.<\/p>\n

Fatal Flaws in Foundation<\/h2>\n

The project’s troubles began with a critical decision: rather than using traditional pile foundations driven to bedrock\u2014standard practice for Manhattan skyscrapers\u2014Fortis opted for a “soil improvement” method that would save $6 million. This decision came despite warnings from engineering consultant Robert Alperstein about potential “differential settlements” in the challenging site conditions, which included Colonial-era infill and former marshland.<\/p>\n

Tragedy and Construction Issues<\/h2>\n

The project was plagued by safety violations and construction problems. In September 2017, these issues culminated in tragedy when Juan Chonillo, a 44-year-old carpenter, fell to his death from the 29th floor. The construction company, SSC High Rise, later pleaded guilty to second-degree manslaughter and was fined just $10,000.<\/p>\n

The Lean Becomes Apparent<\/h2>\n

By April 2018, contractors discovered the building was leaning three inches northward. Rather than halting construction, attempts were made to correct the lean by intentionally misaligning upper floors in the opposite direction. This strategy backfired, resulting in what one lawyer described as a “banana-shaped” structure leaning up to ten inches in some places.<\/p>\n

Financial Impact and Legal Battles<\/h2>\n

The project has spawned over two dozen lawsuits involving:<\/p>\n