The Curse of the 13th Floor Continues

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Most people laugh at superstitions surrounding the number 13, but not property developers. Many of New York's flashiest new skyscrapers don't include a 13th floor, continuing one of oddest traditions of the building industry.

"I'm not particularly superstitious myself, but not having a 13th floor is a no brainer," Izak Senbahar, president of developer Alexico Group, told the Wall Street Journal.

A study by CityRealty found that less than 5 percent of mid- and high-rise condo buildings in Manhattan and Brooklyn have a designated 13th floor, the Journal reports.

For builders, it's a case of "better safe than sorry," in every way. There is no sense in tempting fate - or the wrath of superstitious buyers.

"If there's even a 1 percent risk that someone won't like it, then why would you do it?" Kevin Maloney, principal at Property Markets Group told the Journal.

Interestingly, it appears to be more of a modern phenomenon. Older builders are more likely to include a 13th floor, according to CityRealty's research.

Many of New York's new towers will not include a 13 on the elevator touch bad, including Alexico's 60-story 56 Leonard Street and the residential towers in Hudson Yards, developed by Related Group.

Nevertheless, there is little evidence to support the theory that consumers are terrified of the implications of the living on a 13th floor. In many buildings, many people live on floor 13 and ignore the curse, agents say.

But developers are wary of tempting fate. Many builders are also leaving out the fourth floor, in homage to Chinese legend that the number 4 is very unlucky.