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Freedom plaza BIG

Dezeen Debate features BIG's "Allen key" Manhattan skyscrapers

The latest edition of our Dezeen Debate newsletter features a pair of skyscrapers in Manhattan designed by BIG. Subscribe to Dezeen Debate now.

Architecture firm BIG has designed two skyscrapers that will be part of a four-tower development in Manhattan, New York. The project, named Freedom Plaza, will be comprised of two residential and two conjoined hotel skyscrapers that encircle a central park.

Commenters were divided over the designs. One remarked, "It wouldn't look out of place in Dubai, but it stands out as being a clown-like gimmick in Manhattan." Another commenter dubbed it "The Allen Key" due to its resemblance to the tool.

Vector Architects concrete music chapel
Vector Architects designs concave Chapel of Music for Chinese seaside resort

Other stories in this week's newsletter that fired up the comments section included a monolithic, concrete hall in Qinhuangdao, a walking aid for dogs by a trio of design students from Hongik University in Seoul and the latest project announced as part of Neom in Saudi Arabia.

Dezeen Debate

Dezeen Debate is sent every Thursday and features a selection of the best reader comments and most talked-about stories. Read the latest edition of Dezeen Debate or subscribe here.

You can also subscribe to our other newsletters; Dezeen Agenda is sent every Tuesday containing a selection of the most important news highlights from the week, Dezeen Daily is our daily bulletin that contains every story published in the preceding 24 hours and Dezeen In Depth is sent on the last Friday of every month and delves deeper into the major stories shaping architecture and design.