The 33-story luxury tower alongside Riverside Blvd. created by Extell opened in Lincoln Square. It's a marvel of a building, studded with shining windows and nearly blending into the sky, but it's got one weird conundrum.

According to The New York Post, its subsidized residents have to use a separate entrance, which creates a strange "economic apartheid" in the building.

Colloquially, the separate entrance is being referred to as the "Poor Door." 

We're not sure we endorse that term, but then again, we definitely don't endorse the concept of subsidized residents being treated differently in their own living space.

We're thinking whoever designed the building's structure missed out on that concept, plus the part where elitism is inherently destructive to everyone involved.

The building has 55 low-income units, and its residents opened up about the blatant discrimination in the building.

[anad]

"The thing I don't like most is we don't have the same amenities," said 27-year-old resident Christina Figueras.

Figueras did say she feels lucky to have snagged a $1,082-per-month two-bedroom, but she said subsidized residents have no dishwashers, doormen, or light fixtures in bedrooms or living rooms. They also don't have access to the building's courtyard.

The prices of the subsidized apartments vary, but they bottom out at $833 for a studio with access to a common space that faces a courtyard which they're not allowed in.

The pricier apartments in the building? Well, those 219 river-view condos start at $1.3 million. Those residents get two gyms, a pool, a movie theater, a bowling alley, 24-hour doormen, and a beautiful lobby with a hand-blown glass chandelier.

To qualify for subsidized apartments, a family of four must earn less than $50,000 per year, and an individual needs to earn less than $35,000.

Around 90,000 people applied for the building's 55 subsidized units.

kristinnkenneyy if you have $95m you get a penthouse #notkidding #poordoor


Maybe you're wondering why Extell even included the "affordable" apartments in the first place? 

It wasn't out of goodwill. Including the affordable units afforded Extell millions in tax breaks and development rights.

The city isn't taking this lying down. In June, a new provision was announced, stating that "affordable units shall share the same common entrances and common areas as market rate units."

However, since Extell's building's construction began before June 15th 2015, it's exempt from the provision. Really, it's absurd, and we're upset we've had to bring you this news.

Extell, you're ridiculous. We're glad the provision is in place so this won't ever happen again in the future, and we really hope Extell comes to their senses and stops exploiting lower income families for their own financial gains while treating them like second class citizens.

Could you just try to be better people with consciences for us one time? That'd be great.

Check out This Massive New East River Park That Doubles as a Storm Barrier

[via New York Post] [Feature Image Courtesy 6sqft] 

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