Gothamist
A non-profit newsroom, powered by WNYC.
Gothamist
Listen Live
News
Photos: "The Khaleesi" Is The Acid Fever Dream Skyscraper Proposal NYC Deserves
By
Ben Yakas
Published Dec 12, 2015
Modified Dec 12, 2015
Share
FacebookTwitterRedditEmail
Never miss a story
Email address
By submitting your information, you're agreeing to receive communications from New York Public Radio in accordance with our Terms .
By
Ben Yakas
Published Dec 12, 2015
Modified Dec 12, 2015
Share
FacebookTwitterRedditEmail
We rely on your support to make local news available to all
Make your contribution now and help Gothamist thrive in 2026. Donate today
Gothamist is funded by sponsors and member donations
The NYC skyline is defined by its many glass-encased skyscrapers reaching toward the heavens. But generally speaking, these skyscrapers usually make some functional sense in the real world—it isn't like architects are taking inspiration from the insane Tim Burton designs in Batman Returns. But not so for architect Mark Foster Gage, who apparently took acid while watching the most recent season of Game Of Thrones and designed the building above, nicknamed "The Khaleesi."
This impressive 102-story residential building proposal, which would be located at 41 West 57th Street right in the heart of Billionaire's Row, is like a melding of The Legend Of Zelda and Burning Man aesthetics. According to Gage's website, "each unit has its own unique figurally carved facade and balconies that frame particular features of the surrounding urban and natural landscapes."
41 W 57th St from Mark Foster Gage on Vimeo.
The building is "draped in a facade of limestone-tinted Taktl concrete panels with hydroformed sheet-bronze details and brass-tinted alloy structural extrusion enclosures," and those are definitely real words! 6sqft, who first noticed the plans, described the "whimsical design" as being adorned with "ornaments ranging from gears and propellers to an abstracted pair of birds diving in for a landing on two wing-supported balconies. The tower is topped by a temple-like observational platform which is then crowned by a golden wreath-like structure fit for any victorious Roman general."
Even though we don't hold out much hope, the building's status is listed as "ongoing" on the site. For what it's worth, Gage is a real tenured professor and Assistant Dean at the Yale School of Architecture. He's also written at length about his architectural philosophy in an essay called, "Killing Simplicity: Object-Oriented Philosophy in Architecture." [PDF]
In other words, it seems pretty clear at this point that Mark Foster Gage is actually a pseudonym for David Xanatos, the ruthless genius who built a skyscraper "above the clouds" in the hopes of achieving immortality. Which I guess makes the Department Of Buildings his Gargoyles.
Tagged
architects on acid
building
manhattan
Mark Foster Gage
midtown
skyscraper
the khaleesi
Ben Yakas
Ben Yakas is a former Gothamist reporter.
Read more
Gothamist is funded by sponsors and member donations
Gothamist is funded by sponsors and member donations
MORE news
Bronx man indicted for murder in fatal bodega shooting
Prosecutors say Jesus Acosta shot and killed Tayvon Shuler, then robbed the East 149th Street store last month.
By
Giulia Heyward
Published Sep 29, 2026 at 7:44 p.m. ET
Mamdani must redo his pied-à-terre tax rollout, NY judge orders
A Staten Island judge ruled against the city in a lawsuit challenging the rollout of the new tax, a day after a billionaire casino mogul sued to invalidate it.
By
David Brand
News
Mamdani must redo his pied-à-terre tax rollout, NY judge orders
A Staten Island judge ruled against the city in a lawsuit challenging the rollout of the new tax, a day after a billionaire casino mogul sued to invalidate it.
By
David Brand
NYC eyes higher fines for owners of dirty vacant lots, abandoned construction sites
By
Liam Quigley
NJ Gov. Sherrill vetoes 2 bills meant to give strapped Jersey City more revenue tools
By
Michael Sol Warren
Brooklyn residents displaced after facade falls off neighboring building amid nor'easter
By
Catalina Gonella
Never miss a story
Catch up on the most important headlines with a roundup of essential NYC stories, delivered to your inbox daily.
Sign upEmail address
By submitting your information, you're agreeing to receive communications from New York Public Radio in accordance with our Terms .