As Extell's One57 climbs skyward, so do the prices, with the penthouse now asking an astronomic $110 million. Christian de Portzamparc, the Pritzker Prize-winning architect behind the project, discussed the inspiration for the tallest residential tower in the city with the International Business Times, where he revealed new details about the project as well as (and more importantly) new renderings.

It is ironic that with all the griping about New York's construction constraints, Mr. de Portzamparc said he found the city liberating. "In fact, New York is very attractive," he said. "There are fewer constraints than in most of our European cities." He told the IBT that the building is a tribute to Central Park, of which it will have commanding views, as well as the skyline itself, where the new tower will "evoke the energetic cascade of New York's verticality."

He also believes architecture can do more than it does for humanity and society. "We need to rediscover the essence of the meaning of 'the use,'" Mr. de Portzamparc said. "Architecture is above all here for a better living. Every gesture, every shape must be justified by various reasons that would reinforce their reason to be, their use, and will give more sense to their beauty."

What does Rafael Viñoly have to say to that?

mchaban [at] observer.com | @MC_NYC