Bloomberg comes out in support of rival skyscraper near Empire State Building

"I think it'd be great for the city," Bloomberg said of the 1,216-foot tower proposed for the site of the Hotel Pennsylvania, across the street from Penn Station.

"It would be a great addition to our skyline. It would be easy for people to get to, and I think it would be a phenomenally popular building."

Vornado Realty Trust has been assembling land and air rights for years to build a state-of-the-art office building just to the west of the national landmark.

The City Council is expected to approve the controversial skyscraper Tuesday.

Anthony Malkin, whose family company owns the Empire State Building, believes the tower will block views of his family's iconic skyscraper, and asked a City Council committee this week to reduce its height.

"I don't understand that," Bloomberg said. "I think this is something that's great for the city, and you know, competition's a wonderful thing.