NY tower gives prime space to emergency generators as insurance against floods

New York

THERE is a breathtaking view of the mid-Manhattan skyline from the 48th floor of the taller of two new copper-clad apartment towers just south of the United Nations.

No plutocrat will enjoy it, however. This impressive penthouse aerie is hogged by five emergency generators.

For the developers, giving up premium space to machinery is insurance against an ominous future: They want tenants in the towers' 760 apartments to be able to live in their apartments for at least a week, no matter how high floodwaters may reach nor how lon…