Construction of Supertall UWS Tower Halted After Asbestos Discovery
The NYC DOB slapped an 86-story development at 80 W. 66th St., slated to be the tallest building in the neighborhood, with an ongoing “stop work order” last month.
UWS /
| 13 Aug 2026 | 08:34
The development of an 86-story tower at 80 W. 66th St. is currently halted by the NYC Department of Buildings, after asbestos contamination was discovered during construction. (
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The project has involved the demolition of ABC News’s former headquarters, which drew separate complaints from local residents over chemical contamination. No violations were issued then by the DOB. (
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A controversial construction site connected to what is slated to become the tallest building on the Upper West Side was halted by the Department of Building last month, after an inspection by the city’s Department of Environmental Protection discovered asbestos on the premises.
The planned 86-story development at 77 W. 66th St. (otherwise known as 80 W. 77th St.), which is being developd by Extell, was hit with a “Stop Work Order” on July 24. It was put into effect as of 12:45 p.m., and signed by two inspectors that left their emails and phone numbers.
Asbestos is a mineral that used to be utilized as a source of fire retardant insulation during the construction but was subsequently discovered that it can cause cancer if its tiny microfibers are inhaled.
A DOB notice that was affixed to the green construction fencing ringing the site noted the following: “Based on this [DEP] inspection, it has been determined that (1) work constituting an asbestos project is being performed at the premises: (2) said work is being performed in violation of §24-136 of the New York City Air Pollution Control Code...or the New York City Asbestos Rules promulgated there under, and (3) the work poses a threat to human safety.”
“Violation of this order may result in the issuance of a notice of violation and an imposition of a civil penalty of up to $10,000 a day,” the order added. It tasked those overseeing the site—who were simply referred to as “Building Owner” in the respondent line—with creating an asbestos remediation plan, which must be approved by the DEP.
The project, which involved the demolition of ABC News’s former headquarters last fall, has previously received a fair amount of public criticism due to its projected height—not to mention other environmental concerns unrelated to the latest bout of asbestos.
New building permits for the new tower on West 66th Street were filed by Extell Executive VP David Rothstein in April, while demolition began last September.
Not long thereafter, local residents told local City Council Member Gale Brewer that they believed the demolition was spreading chemical contamination, noting that they had experienced irritated throats and eyes. Such symptoms were experienced on West 66th Street and West 67th Street, between Columbus Avenue and Central Park West.
““I write on behalf of residents of West 67 and West 66 Streets between Central Park West and Columbus Avenue who are experiencing fumes, dust, noise, and a poor quality of life from the demolition of the ABC campus, which began recently,” Brewer wrote to the DEP then.
A subsequent investigation by the agency determined that the likely culprit was a planned burn conducted on-site, and no violations were handed out.
According to the permits filed by Extell this spring, the West 66th Street tower would top out at 1,198 ft.; this would make it far taller than the second-tallest building in the neighborhood, the 775-ft.-tall tower at 50 W. 60th St. It would contain 430 apartment units, 25,246 sq. feet of commercial space, two cellars, and a garage that could fit 187 cars.
Extell did not respond to a request for comment as of press time.