A luxury apartment block with a separate ‘poor door’ for low-income residents has been given the go-ahead in New York.

Developers of the 33-floor tower on Manhattan’s wealthy Upper West Side were given a tax break by the City after setting out plans to deliver 55 more-affordable flats as part of the project.

Those living in the cheaper apartments, which will overlook the street, will enter and exit the property via a separate entrance from tenants of the 219 other units, who will enjoy views of the Hudson River. 

Designed by building firm Extell, the socially-divided building at 40 Riverside Boulevard has been criticised by many in the city, who call it a form of housing apartheid. The separate entrance was immediately nicknamed the “poor door”.

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