Former ABC Lincoln Center Complex to be Developed by Extell
By Manhattan Real Estate Tracker, April 27, 2026
The ten-story structure at 147 Columbus Avenue, which was once a part of the ABC/Disney campus, is currently being demolished by Extell Development to make way for a significant residential project. Plans for an 86-story, 1,198-foot residential supertall skyscraper at 80 West 67th Street, which is a component of the same block-wide, multi-phase premium residential transformation project, were submitted by Extell Development as of April 2026. The building at 147 Columbus Avenue, which formerly housed the local ABC-7 news studio on the ground floor where pedestrians could watch the live newscast from the street, has already been demolished.
In addition to 147 Columbus Avenue, the 2.4-acre old ABC/Disney site includes 149 Columbus Avenue and a number of 66th and 67th Street residences. The demolition that began last year will continue this year. The project’s height has drawn criticism from the community as possible proposals call for 25-story structures, luxury homes, and some reasonably priced apartments. The building will be close to the height of the Empire State Building.
The construction is anticipated to take place between 2027 and 2030. The NYC Department of Transportation has approved the maintenance of pedestrian, bicycle, and vehicle routes surrounding the building site. Flagmen will man the entry and departure points for construction trucks.
Gary Barnett of Extell, provided neighborhood members with information during a community board meeting last year. The structure is 1,200 feet tall. We want to do that,” he informed the community board. A structure of such height would be over twice the size of 200 Amsterdam Ave. and around one-third the height of 50 West 66th St., the two highest structures in the area.
There is a limit on the square footage of properties that can be constructed in the city. If that amount is not reached, the remaining portion may be transferred among properties owned by the same developer or sold as air rights, according to city regulations. In order to optimize the height of the possible residential building, Extell is merging the unutilized air rights for six structures.
The former ABC properties are not included in the Special Lincoln Square District, which has building regulations, in contrast to the remainder of this area of the Upper West Side. Guidelines for height are part of that.
