Icebergs, Zombies, and the Ultra-Thin: Architecture for the 21st Century

From the Publisher: The Superrich's Hidden Homes and the Changing Face of Urban Living

The superrich are building huge living spaces underneath existing homes, allowing them to bypass zoning laws in desirable areas. These "iceberg" homes, hidden underground, feature luxury spaces ranging from movie theaters to underground pools fed by waterfalls, removing any sense of metropolitanism and replacing it with the lone isolation of capital absorption.

The increasing trend of people buying second, third, and fourth homes and apartments is leading to a "hollowing out" of certain neighborhoods, as these properties sit empty most of the year. More urban buildings are now designed to store wealth and function as investments, resulting in buildings that are less social and more isolated, eroding urban communities around the world. This phenomenon is known as "zombie urbanism."

Emerging in New York City and other cities, "ultra-thin pencil towers" are being built taller, slimmer, and more expensive than previous residential buildings, with many featuring just one apartment per floor. Purchased at exorbitant costs, these units often sit largely empty, serving as speculative wealth storage assets among the global elite's portfolio holdings, rather than as true residential spaces.

These trends in luxury housing and urban development raise important questions about the changing nature of cities and the impact of wealth concentration on local communities. As the superrich create hidden havens and investment properties, the fabric of urban life is being reshaped, with the needs and experiences of ordinary residents increasingly marginalized.

The rise of "iceberg" homes, "zombie urbanism," and "pencil towers" reflects a growing divide between the superrich and the rest of the population. These developments illustrate the increasing power of the global elite to reshape urban landscapes to suit their own financial interests, often at the expense of the local community.

As cities around the world grapple with these challenges, policymakers and urban planners must confront the complex issues surrounding luxury housing, wealth concentration, and the preservation of vibrant, inclusive urban communities. The future of our cities may depend on finding a balance between the interests of the superrich and the needs of the broader population.

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