Cutting corners to save millions
Despite the challenging terrain, constructing a stable skyscraper was still possible—if done correctly. For over a century, New York’s tallest buildings have been anchored with deep steel pilings drilled into bedrock. But for reasons that remain tangled in ongoing lawsuits, Fortis Property Group chose a cheaper alternative: a technique called “soil improvement.” Instead of drilling to bedrock, they injected concrete into the soft soil to reinforce it. This decision reportedly saved the developers around $6 million.