A court order is being sought by neighbours of the soon-to-open Spa Castle Premier 57 in Manhattan, New York, to prevent the wellness facility’s renovations from ruining residents’ rooftop views.
Set to launch later this month, in the Galleria Building on East 57th Street in Manhattan, the ‘nudity friendly’ Spa Castle is being built throughout the property’s seventh to ninth floors. The renovations to the existing property include the installation of three whirlpools, six-foot soaking stations, a cabana-style roof, large heating and air conditioning units on the eighth-floor roof and higher walls.
These particular developments are allegedly contravening an agreement with the condo board of the neighbouring Ritz Tower that was signed in 1974, which says residents are entitled to have a view over the roof. The spa facilities are being built too high, according to the suit that was filed in Manhattan Supreme Court.
“The height, placement and use of the newly constructed roof and spa facilities – and their proximity to the windows of the residential apartments in 465 Park Avenue – obstruct the view of the tenants and residents who occupy the apartments overlooking the roof of the Galleria Building,” says the suit.
Residents are also concerned about the ‘nudity’ that might occur once the spa opens, in full view of their apartments.
“The ongoing construction constitutes a public nuisance because it offends, interferes with, and causes damage to the public – including by offending public morals,” the suit continued.
The Ritz Tower condo board said it sent a cease and desist letter to Spa Castle, but the board alleges the owners of Spa Castle accelerated construction, “including by performing unauthorised work on weekends – sometimes as early as 7am on a Sunday morning.”
The residential board wants a court order to stop construction – forcing Spa Castle to abide by the terms of the 1974 agreement.
It is not clear which of the Ritz Tower residents’ views will be affected by the Spa Castle’s construction.
Notable former tenants of the tower include playwright Neil Simon and actress Marsha Mason.
This will be the third Spa Castle in the US, joining existing facilities in Queens, New York and Texas' Carrollton.
