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Big Building in the Big Apple

18 November 2016 | Updated 01 January 1970
 

Richard Meier & Partners in collaboration with Developer Sheldon Solow’s East River Realty Development has released images of the design and construction of the new 685 First Avenue tower in New York City.

The 42-story, 460-foot high residential tower, Meier’s tallest in New York City, will rise just south of the United Nations Headquarters in Manhattan overlooking the East River. The 685 First Avenue site occupies a 32,365 SF parcel between East 39th and East 40th Streets along the West side of First Avenue.

It will be home to 556 rental and condominium apartments and feature panoramic views of the river and the city.

Minimalistic in form, the design of this predominantly glass building relies on the curtain wall incised with modular subdivisions and articulated with selective metal panel elements in the form of balconies, canopies and corners.

A distinguishing feature - an architectural cut-out at the 27th and 28th floors - will be visible from across the East River. “This is a milestone project for us, as our first all-black glass and metal panel building, the tallest tower in New York City by our firm and a complete Richard Meier & Partners project including both architecture and interiors,” said Dukho Yeon, design partner-in-charge at Meiers. “The black glass curtain wall is a departure from our trademark white palette.

“When this intriguing challenge was proposed by developer Sheldon Solow, we accepted it with curiosity. We approach all our designs thoughtfully and with an open mind and with this project we have remained true to our fundamental principles - distinctiveness in scale, proportion, light and power."

Picture: The proposed 685 First Avenue tower in New York City

 

Article written by Robin Snow | Published 18 November 2016

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