City council approves plans for new tower near Empire State Building

The full City Council has approved plans to build a new skyscraper that will stand taller than the Empire State Building -- currently the highest tower in New York City.

The project, which gained council approval around 2:30 p.m. today [Aug. 25], is expected to create 7,000 jobs and will include $150 million in transportation infrastructure improvements.

Earlier today, both the Zoning and Franchising subcommittee and Land Use committee had already voted in favor of allowing construction of the 15 Penn Plaza project.

The Empire State Building's owner opposes the project. Anthony Malkin says the proposed 1,200-foot glass office tower will ruin the view from the renowned landmark and negatively alter the skyline.

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