Extell's 33-story luxury building has finally opened in Manhattan and true enough from its controversial announcement from last 2013, they unveiled with the proposed "poor door" that divides tenants based on the amount of rent they pay.
Ever since the announcement in 2013, Extell has received quite a number of criticism and negative comments from online users and news headlines.
The building named Lincoln Square Tower is equipped with 55 low-income units whose prices begin at $833 a month. These low-cost rent spaces are faced away from the view of the Hudson River just right beside the 33-storey tall building.
The 219 other units are considered luxury units that cost at least $1.3 million each. These units are also facing the wonderful view of the Hudson River in all its glory. But it seems this not the only distinction within the building. Low-income unit tenants attest that they are given a designated door situated on the back alley of the luxury building. Beyond that, the 55 low-income units are not equipped with lighting fixtures, dishwashers, and a doorman. The people who use the "poor door" are also prohibited from utilizing some the building's luxury features like the courtyard, two gyms, movie theater, pool, and bowling alley.
The "poor door" was actually authorized by the City of New York and was signed last 2014.
The building of the 55 low income units was part of a loophole that Extell successfully took advantage off. The developer was given certain tax breaks and exemptions for qualifying for New York's 421-A Property Tax Exemption Program. The loop hole allowed Extell to gain millions worth of tax breaks from it. The loop hole has caught the attention of New York lawmakers and have moved to revise it.
Although the loop hole has been closed, it still exempts buildings that were built before june 15, 2015 which includes Lincoln Square Tower.
