New Yorkers rail against luxury tower blocking Empire State Building: ‘The mighty dollar rules the sky’

262 Fifth Avenue, an 860ft building, blocks the view of the Empire State Building as it is constructed in December. Photograph: Gary Hershorn/Getty Images

Tom Clark’s Lower East Side apartment comes with a prime view of the Empire State Building. “I can see it from my couch,” he said. Well, he used to be able to catch a glance – before an ultra-thin luxury tower dubbed 262 Fifth Avenue came along.

Now the 860ft residential tower, which is still under construction, blocks the Empire State Building from most vantage points south of 28th street. Many New Yorkers (and tourists) can no longer catch a glimpse of the celebrated landmark, all because of some poorly placed – and incredibly expensive – condos.