This new construction fence design by artist Helen Dennis went up last weekend to beautify the stalled 56 Leonard St. site, where 57 stories of staggered glass condo cubes were supposed to rise in the so-called “Jenga building.” Developers at the Alexico Group built only the foundation of the Herzog & de Meuron-designed luxury tower before running out of money. With no start date in sight, the Downtown Alliance decided to make the pit nicer to look at through their Re:Construction art program. Dennis said she was inspired by the skeletal, layered design of the future building when she drew the New York street scenes that now wrap the fence. Observant viewers of the piece, called “Rendering Leonard,” will see glimpses of the High Line, Harlem and other parts of the city.
