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802 Ninth Avenue

802 Ninth Ave wins my award for 2006/2007's most absurd new structure on Ninth Ave. With a sliver of land next to an old walk-up, rather than tearing down the brownstone or using air rights to build a taller tower, the new glass building oozes over the top of the older structure, creating a hideous clash of styles that just screams of a tasteless grab for cash. Oddly, this abomination sits next to a completely vacant lot that, I think, is owned by the MTA and in 2007 was being used as a parking lot. Undoubtedly, it will be given away to a developer at some point to build another cancerous glass building of overpriced luxury apartments for rich people, only slightly less contemptable than it's bizzare-looking predecessor next door.

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