Viridian Lofts

Viridian is a new $70 million highrise condominium development downtown that will house 305 units. This building completely sold out in February of 2006. Resale units only.

Viridian is a new $70 million high-rise condominium development downtown that will house 305 units. Units are being pre-sold now and demand for them has far exceeded the developers expectations. The tower will feature one-bedroom, 2-bedroom, and penthouse units. Unit ammenities will include solid concrete construction, 10-foot ceilings, floor-to-ceiling glass, private balconies with breathtaking panoramic views, granite countertops, ceramic tile baths, high speed internet and satellite television capabilities, efficient District Energy System cooling, and options for hardwood floors and stainless steel appliances. The building will also house a 5000 square foot H.G. Hill Urban Market on the lobby level for convenient grocery shopping.

The roof will hold an olympic-size swimming pool amidst a beautifully landscaped terrace and will include modern conveniences such as Wi-Fi high speed wireless internet access so you can still work while enjoying a sunbath. Also on the roof will be a complet fitness center with a full locker room and massage area.

Earnest money required on the units is required as follows:

* $2500 for 1 Bedroom Units
* $5000 for 2 Bedroom Units
* $25000 for Penthouse Units
* $1000 required for units designated as affordable housing units

Pricing has fluctuated as the supply has diminished, but as of April 2004, the affordable housing units started at $130,000, standard one-bedroom units started in the $160,000s, and the two-bedroom units were priced at $240,000 and up. The penthouse units were selling for $1.25 million. Parking spaces must be purchased separately.

Groundbreaking is scheduled for September and completion is scheduled for December 2005.

Monitors protect building

By William Williams
November 05, 2004

Downtown’s historic Cohen Building — next to the construction site of high-rise condominium tower Viridian — has been affixed with a monitoring system to minimize chances of the building suffering structural damage.

The handsome three-story Cohen, built in 1890 and recently renovated at a cost of about $1.2 million, sits on Church Street between Fourth and Fifth avenues. It houses the Viridian marketing offices.

Viridian project general contractor R.J. Griffin & Co. is overseeing a system — including a warning light and alarm — that would immediately alert via computer all parties involved in the construction of the 31-story residential building. For years, the Cohen Building has leaned (the lean is now 1.07 feet), and project officials said they are confident no additional leaning will occur.

“The engineer, architect and general contractor have studied the building closely and taken steps both in the design and implementation to minimize any impact to the adjoining structures,” said Tony Giarratana, whose Giarratana Development LLC is Viridian co-developer. “In addition to the vibration monitors, we have installed inclination monitors to notify us in the unlikely event the building should lean any further,” he said

Giarratana said the monitoring system is tied to officials’ computers and cellular phones.

“If anything goes amiss — and I don’t expect that — it will show up,” he said. “We’re not going to wait until [the] next week to find out that something has moved.”

Ty Osman, president of Solomon Builders Inc. and Cohen Building majority owner, said he is hopeful Viridian can be built with no damage to his building.

“It’s a 120-year-old structure and, no question, there is reason for concern,” Osman said. “But [the development team] is competent, and I am confident that they are taking all reasonable measures to avoid any problem.

“And should one occur, I am equally confident that they will step up and do the right thing,” Osman added.

John Rowlett, R.J. Griffin & Co. senior vice president, said the monitoring system is a “special precaution” needed due to the Cohen’s age and to Viridian’s close proximity to the diminutive structure.