Prepare to be amazed by the architectural masterpiece that is 270 Park Avenue, a supertall skyscraper in the heart of Manhattan! This stunning creation by Foster + Partners has just been unveiled, and it's a game-changer for New York City's skyline.
Standing tall at 1,388 feet (423.1 meters), this architectural marvel is the sixth-tallest building in the Big Apple, joining an elite club of supertall skyscrapers in Midtown Manhattan. But here's where it gets controversial: this skyscraper was built on the site of the iconic Union Carbide Building, designed by SOM in the 1960s. To accommodate JPMorganChase's growing workforce, the old building had to make way for this new, expansive structure.
The exterior of 270 Park Avenue is a work of art in itself. As the building rises, it steps up and back, culminating in a breathtaking bronze diagrid that contrasts beautifully with the glass curtain walls. Its height ensures it's visible for miles, making it a true landmark.
At the base, the core is pushed to one side, creating a unique cantilevered structure. Massive fan columns support the building, leaving space on the outside, as the curtain wall gracefully pushes in and away from the street.
Norman Foster, founder of Foster + Partners, describes it as a "unique cantilevered structure, clad in bronze, delivering two and a half times the amount of public space at the base, including a garden, than its predecessor."
But it's not just about looks; this skyscraper sets new standards for employee well-being. Foster explains, "The unparalleled range of venues and leisure activities, coupled with tall spaces bathed in natural light and high levels of fresh, filtered air - twice that required by building codes - combine to create a workplace of the future, designed for today."
As you enter the lobby, you'll notice the circular grill details on the sloping base, adding visual interest and serving as an intake for the ventilation system. The geometric consistency of the building is reflected in the adaptive lighting that covers the lobby ceiling.
At the center of the lobby, a flag installation designed by Foster flutters in an artificial breeze, while light travertine covers the floors. Above the lobby and eight trading floors, the structural system shifts towards the middle of the building.
The upper floors are dedicated to trading floors, offices, and other facilities for JPMorganChase. The diagrid columns make an appearance in some interior spaces, reminding inhabitants of the building's industrial character.
While Foster + Partners focused on the lobby, other firms, including SOM and Gensler, designed the offices and interior spaces. Gensler took the "city within a city" metaphor to heart, organizing workplaces into "neighborhoods."
Stefanie Shunk, Gensler's design director, explains, "Protected backdrops make virtual meetings feel intentional, team-based clusters bring people together for natural mentorship, and double-height cafes link adjacent floors, creating two-story communities where employees can gather and engage."
Central to the scheme is The Exchange, a multi-floor food and drink concourse designed to accommodate multiple restaurants and dining areas. A representative from JPMorganChase described this area as the epitome of the "city within a city" concept.
Foster emphasized the building's sustainability, noting that it runs on "all-electric energy," a requirement for city buildings due to recent legislation. However, Foster suggested that this was planned before the bill's passing.
The studio also highlighted the use of 97% of materials from the previous structure, showcasing their commitment to sustainability.
Overall, 270 Park Avenue stands out from the typical metallic and glass curtain wall skyscrapers in New York. The bronze structure and its simple setbacks pay homage to the stone and brick skyscrapers of the area, such as the iconic Rockefeller Center towers.
Foster told Dezeen, "It pushes the boundaries far beyond anything we've done before."
And this is the part most people miss: while this skyscraper is a marvel, it's not the only one in the works. Nearby, KPF is constructing the "Beaux-Arts" skyscraper, and Foster + Partners is busy with another Park Avenue skyscraper up the street, featuring a similar stepped form.
The photography of this architectural wonder is by Nigel Young, capturing the essence of this city within a city.
Project credits:
Client: JPMorganChase
Architect: Foster + Partners
Architect of record: AAI Architects, PC
Structural engineers: Foster + Partners (Competition Concept), Severud Associates (Design and Engineer of Record)
MEP engineer: JB&B
Interiors: Gensler, SOM, STUDIOS Architecture
Civil engineer: Philip Habib + Associates
Geotechnical engineer: Mueser Rutledge Consulting Engineers
Development adviser: Tishman Speyer
Design collaborator: Vishaan Chakrabarti
Sustainability: Foster + Partners (Competition Concept), Socotec
Cost consultant: Linesight
Main contractor: AECOM Tishman
Vertical transportation: EWCG
Facade consultant: Heintges
Facade maintenance: Entek
Wind and ice: RWDI
Landscape consultant: Ken Smith Workshop
Lighting designer: Tillotson Design Associates
Code consultant: CCI
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