Project Overview

Situated at the corner of Park Avenue and 28th Street, the building comprises two main sections complemented by a vertical pavilion on each side. The space opened between the tower and its surroundings tempers the “light shaft” pheno-menon. The prismatic design of the volumes gathers light while optimizing views onto the streets to provide a perspective into the far distance and takes into account the necessary recess towards the avenue.

Project Commissioner

Equity Residential and Toll Brothers

Project Creator

Atelier Christian de Portzamparc

Team

Architect: Atelier Christian de Portzamparc, ParisChristian de Portzamparc, Hon. FAIA; Frederic Binet, Bruno Durbecq (architect assistants)
Executive Architect: Handel Architects, New YorkBlake Middleton, FAIA (partner); Jessica Wetters, AIA, Emil Stojakovic, AIA (project architects)
Interior Designer: Handel Architects (apartments); Stephen Alton Architect, New York (condominiums)
Mechanical and Electrical Engineer: Cosentini Associates
Structural Engineer: Desimone Consulting Engineers
Civil and Geotechnical Engineer: Langan Engineering
Construction Manager: Lend Lease
Faades: Gordon H. Smith Corp.
Landscape Architect: W Architecture and Landscape Architecture
Lighting Designer: Bliss Fasman
Zoning Consultant: Development Consulting Services

Project Brief

At ground level, the bottom floors house businesses and a small square integrates the subway exit into the building which becomes an interesting feature on the avenue. On Park Avenue, the continuity of the facades is maintained with the historic 1930’s buildings, including its large neighbours the Metropolitan Life Insurance Building and the New York Life Insurance Co, with which it establishes a dialogue on the New York skyline.

The bottom 22 floors, with 269 rental apartments developed by Equity Residential have an access on 28th street and the top 18 floors with 81 condominium apartments developed by Toll Brothers have an access on Park Avenue. The rental tenants and condo residents share the lower level amenities, which include a pool, fitness center with a sauna, and a lounge.