Extell's 52-Story Torch Reaches Halfway Point in Times Square

• Construction has reached the halfway point on The Torch, a planned 52-story, 1,029-foot-tall skyscraper at 740 Eighth Avenue in Midtown Manhattan.
• Developed by Extell and designed by ODA, the project will span approximately 885,902 square feet and include an 825-room hotel.
• The tower will feature a public outdoor observation deck with a proposed drop ride, along with retail, a restaurant, a VIP lounge, and a hotel pool deck.
• Construction is expected to reach the tower's full height in 2027, with completion projected for the second half of 2028.

What The Torch Will Bring To Times Square

Construction is moving quickly at 740 Eighth Avenue, where The Torch is rising between West 45th and West 46th Streets on the border of Times Square and Hell's Kitchen. The project will rise 52 stories and 1,029 feet, making it one of the most prominent additions to Midtown's skyline. Once complete, the building will contain approximately 885,902 square feet of mixed-use space, led by an 825-room hotel. The project is being developed by Extell and designed by ODA, with SLCE Architects serving as architect of record.

What The Hotel And Amenities Will Include

The main component of The Torch will be its large hotel, which occupies much of the tower's lower and middle sections. The project is also planned to include lower-level retail space, a restaurant occupying two upper floors, a VIP lounge and a dedicated pool deck for hotel guests. The most distinctive feature is expected to sit at the top of the tower. The public observation deck is planned to include an outdoor experience and a drop ride, giving visitors a dramatic view over Midtown and Times Square.

What The Observation Deck Could Look Like

The original concept for The Torch featured a more dramatic, spiraling form around the upper portion of the tower. More recent construction materials show a simplified version of that design, with the upper levels appearing more squared off than the initial concept. ODA has not released an updated rendering reflecting all of those changes. The project's zoning diagrams indicate that the exterior staircase planned for the observation deck appears to remain part of the design. The original concept also called for an Intamin-designed drop ride housed within approximately 300-foot-tall transparent tubes mounted to the tower's upper stem. It remains unclear whether the drop ride and related upper-level features will be built exactly as originally proposed.

What Construction Looks Like Now

The lower half of the tower has advanced substantially, with nearly all of its floors now formed. The bulky hotel component is also nearing its top, while façade installation is beginning to move up the structure. The building has now reached roughly the halfway point in its vertical construction. Based on the current pace, the tower is expected to reach its 1,029-foot pinnacle sometime in 2027. Once topped out, construction will continue on the façade, interiors, hotel spaces, retail areas and observation deck.

What The Project Means For Midtown

The Torch will add a major hospitality and tourism destination to the Times Square area, combining a large hotel with retail, dining and an observation attraction. Its location on Eighth Avenue places it within one of Manhattan's busiest visitor districts, while its height will give the project a highly visible presence above the surrounding Midtown buildings. The combination of hotel rooms and public attractions could also make The Torch an important addition to the area's tourism economy, particularly as visitors continue to seek new skyline and observation experiences.

What Comes Next For The Torch

Construction is expected to continue through 2027, when the tower is projected to reach its full height. The current schedule calls for The Torch to complete construction during the second half of 2028. Before then, crews will need to complete the upper levels, façade, hotel interiors, retail and restaurant spaces, and the observation deck. The final appearance of the upper portion remains one of the project's biggest unanswered questions as construction progresses and the development moves closer to its planned 2028 completion.