Tracey Towers

Tracey Towers are twin residential buildings with nine vertical concrete tubes clad in grooved blocks, creating a distinctive pattern of windows and balconies across the façade. The structures sit above a subway storage yard and together contain 869 apartment units serving families in this densely populated neighborhood.

Architect Paul Rudolph designed these towers between 1967 and 1972 as part of an ambitious plan to use air rights above a subway depot for housing. The project exemplified innovative urban development that combined residential space with hidden transit infrastructure.

The towers serve as housing for working families and middle-income residents who might otherwise struggle to find affordable places to live in the city. Today the community reflects the neighborhoods diverse population, with residents from many backgrounds contributing to local life.

The towers are located along West Mosholu Parkway with good connections to nearby public transportation. Access to the buildings is straightforward, and visitor parking is available along with shops and services in the surrounding area.

The two towers feature spiral crown tops and concrete fins that stand out as sculptural forms against the skyline. These striking shapes make them an unexpected architectural highlight, even though they primarily function as residential housing.