Feb 22nd 1999
I am an architecture student in London and I am currently working on a project involving skyscrapers.
I need to find information regarding the AIR RIGHTS of tall buildings, which I know is common in places like Manhattan, but have so far not been able to find any regulations or guidelines which I could refer to. Does anybody know if there is a "rule of thumb" that I could use to establish Air Rights that exist on the site I have been given ?
Thanks in advance and I look forward to hearing from anyone who might be able to help me.

• ID# 109.2 (reply to #109.1) - 23 Feb 1999
  Humm, and I just last week made an extension and refinement on the zoning regulations section of the Additional Info documents. Do I have to assume that my site isn't read at all? ;^)
  Anyway, one of the expanded issues was just the air rights, and there should be at least something that might help you. Proposed additional refinements on the text accepted [hint, hint you men/women of knowledge...]. ED

• ID# 109.3 (reply to #109.1)
  From: Frank Gerlak ([email protected]) - 24 Feb 1999

  I don't believe that there are any "rules of thumb" regarding air rights. Usually these are secured by a developer with a specific proposal for an area that is part of a development package. This "package" FARS (floor area ratios) and other components are submitted to a building department - if they are important enough they are submitted to a local planning commission - and are acted upon with the "greater public interest" as the measuring stick. Approval is given on a case by case basis, If approved, the situation then becomes precedent for future actions as air rights are usually not written into local building codes or planning ordinances. As you may know, most of Park Avenue is on air rights. I am sure that the New York Central made the first proposals for air rights development leading into Grand Central. The city regulations then followed suite for subsequent development. The Prudential Building in Chicago is built on "air rights" as is the Terminal Tower! in Cleveland. Any more questions?