Even if you’ve never set foot in Manhattan, you can name some of its most notable buildings: the Empire State, the Chrysler, the Flatiron, 30 Rockefeller Plaza. Everyone knows about the Guggenheim’s great spiral and Grand Central’s breathtaking ceiling, and everyone knows what Carnegie Hall means-even if they’ve never been there. And so, to practice architecture in New York is to paint on one of our largest canvases. To triumph, there is to pass into the realm of American mythology.
If ever a building felt destined for iconic status, One Vanderbilt certainly qualifies. Located next-door to Grand Central Terminal, between 42nd and 43rd streets, the building’s address alone conjures expectation. As if that’s not enough, One Vanderbilt also promises to be one of the city’s tallest structures, a simple asymmetric silhouette towering high above Midtown Manhattan, visible for miles and miles.
Once completed [in 2020 if all goes to plan], One Vanderbilt will rise 1,401 feet, making it one of the 30 tallest buildings in the world. Rising 58 floors, the building will house 1.7 million square feet of prime office space, boasting top LEED-certified construction, dramatic light-filled interiors, and perhaps the city’s easiest commute, with the building’s tenants practically an elevator ride away from their suburban-bound trains.
The office space will undoubtedly become some of the most desired in New York. Rumors have already been floated that J.P. Morgan may relocate its headquarters to the skyscraper. The public will enjoy [likely paid] access to an indoor/outdoor observation deck, while the building’s well-heeled tenants will be able to close deals at the skyscraper’s exclusive Skybar, a cocktail lounge perched 900 feet above the city.
Groundbreaking for the project occurred in October 2016, after fifteen long years of political wrangling, zoning fights, and disputes over air rights. The skyscraper replaces five historical but less-than-remarkable buildings [tenants included a sporting goods store and a TGI Friday’s], held over from an era when the neighborhood was known as Terminal City.
Perhaps thanks to such a prolonged negotiation process, the building that has emerged is uncommonly accommodating, context-considerate, and planningminded. While its form is certainly beautiful, its aesthetics pale in comparison to the genius of the project’s masterful concessions. Rather than merely towering over its Grand Central neighbor, One Vanderbilt almost defers to it, set ten feet back from the corner of 42nd and Vanderbilt Avenue. Its lower floors appear carved out, creating as much space around the famed train station as possible. The western side of the building, once bookended by blocky behemoths, will be showcased by comparatively mindful glass atria.
“It’s a great thrill to think about what will emerge on this site, but at the same time it’s a great responsibility,” said Jamie von Klemperer, President of Kohn Pederson Fox and the project’s lead designer. This acknowledged balance between corporate ambition and civic responsibility seems to be the project’s [very New Yorker] aim, and it’s clear that compromises have been made to allow the building to climb so high. It’s luxury up top, public good down below.
While the building will ultimately cost more than $3 billion, the figure includes $220 million in public improvements. The project will convert a section of Vanderbilt Avenue into a pedestrian plaza and will completely overhaul subway access, helping to relieve congestion in Grand Central’s crowded transfer area. All told, the project will represent one of the largest private contributions to the New York Metropolitan Transportation Authority’s infrastructure.
Building ambitiously in New York often requires an uncommon amount of maneuvering and deal-making. Every big move will inevitably draw some measure of complaint in a city with so many competing interests and desires. However, One Vanderbilt’s greatest accomplishment may be its ability to appease [if not please] all parties. Its effect on the public transit system will become even more essential in 2022 when a long-awaited extension of the Long Island Rail Road is expected to send tens of thousands of additional commuters through Grand Central’s halls.
New York seems to be enjoying a supertall renaissance, with at least ten buildings currently proposed or under construction topping out at over 1,000 feet. If the people behind these new icons hope to achieve true greatness, they won’t simply focus on building tall. They’ll look to One Vanderbilt for what it manages to accomplish at its ground floor.
Originally Published in:
THE NETWORK / MARCH 2017 – Amazing Buildings
Hello my friend! I wish to say that this article is awesome, nice written and come with approximately all significant infos. I’d like to see extra posts like this.
As soon as I discovered this internet site I went on reddit to share some of the love with them.
Can I simply say what a relief to seek out somebody who truly knows what theyre talking about on the internet. You undoubtedly know easy methods to convey a problem to mild and make it important. More people need to read this and understand this aspect of the story. I cant imagine youre no more standard since you undoubtedly have the gift.
I’ve been absent for a while, but now I remember why I used to love this web site. Thank you, I will try and check back more frequently. How frequently you update your website?
Nice post. I learn something more challenging on different blogs everyday. It will always be stimulating to read content from other writers and practice a little something from their store. I’d prefer to use some with the content on my blog whether you don’t mind. Natually I’ll give you a link on your web blog. Thanks for sharing.
Hey, you used to write great, but the last few posts have been kinda boring?K I miss your tremendous writings. Past several posts are just a little out of track! come on!
Wohh precisely what I was looking for, thankyou for posting.
Good article and right to the point. I am not sure if this is in fact the best place to ask but do you guys have any thoughts on where to hire some professional writers? Thanks 🙂
Really enjoyed this post, is there any way I can get an update sent in an email when you publish a new post?
I like this post, enjoyed this one regards for putting up. “We are punished by our sins, not for them.” by Elbert Hubbard.
Write more, thats all I have to say. Literally, it seems as though you relied on the video to make your point.
You clearly know what youre talking about, why throw away your intelligence on just posting videos
to your weblog when you could be giving us something informative to read?
Also visit my blog post – Ketonomy Keto Ingredients
Your style is unique in comparison to other people I’ve read stuff
from. Many thanks for posting when you’ve got the opportunity,
Guess I will just book mark this site.
Look into my web blog: Arctos Portable AC Cooler
Howdy! Would you mind if I share your blog with my facebook group?
There’s a lot of folks that I think would really enjoy
your content. Please let me know. Cheers
Feel free to visit my blog … Viralix CBD Reviews
587739 926071You produced some decent points there. I looked online for that problem and identified many people goes coupled with with all your web site. 645524
378048 632865very great publish, i truly really like this web internet site, carry on it 255493
301479 763211Good post. I be taught one thing much more challenging on completely different blogs everyday. It will all of the time be stimulating to learn content material from other writers and apply slightly 1 thing from their store. Id desire to use some with the content material on my blog whether you dont mind. Natually Ill give you a hyperlink on your net weblog. Thanks for sharing. 224065
669408 788147This really is the fitting weblog for anybody who desires to uncover out about this topic. You notice a lot its practically onerous to argue with you (not that I truly would wantHaHa). You undoubtedly put a brand new spin on a subject thats been written about for years. Nice stuff, merely great! 663679
798813 748646Why didnt I take into consideration this? I hear exactly what youre saying and Im so happy that I came across your blog. You genuinely know what youre talking about, and you produced me feel like I really should learn a lot more about this. Thanks for this; Im officially a huge fan of your weblog 734324
You there, this is really good post here. Thanks for taking the time to post such valuable information.
okbet agent
It?¦s in reality a nice and helpful piece of info. I?¦m satisfied that you simply shared this helpful info with us. Please stay us up to date like this. Thanks for sharing.
you have a great blog here! would you like to make some invite posts on my blog?
Very instructive and great structure of subject material, now that’s user pleasant (:.
of course like your website but you need to test the spelling on quite a few of your posts. Several of them are rife with spelling issues and I in finding it very bothersome to inform the reality however I will definitely come again again.
Howdy would you mind stating which blog platform you’re using? I’m looking to start my own blog in the near future but I’m having a hard time deciding between BlogEngine/Wordpress/B2evolution and Drupal. The reason I ask is because your design seems different then most blogs and I’m looking for something completely unique. P.S Sorry for getting off-topic but I had to ask!
I was curious if you ever considered changing the page layout of your blog? Its very well written; I love what youve got to say. But maybe you could a little more in the way of content so people could connect with it better. Youve got an awful lot of text for only having 1 or two pictures. Maybe you could space it out better?
I’m really enjoying the design and layout of your site. It’s a very easy on the eyes which makes it much more enjoyable for me to come here and visit more often. Did you hire out a designer to create your theme? Exceptional work!
410472 433488Respect to site author , some excellent selective details . 323586
908803 444589Empathetic for your monstrous inspect, in addition Im just seriously good as an alternative to Zune, and consequently optimism them, together with the extremely very good critical reviews some other players have documented, will let you determine whether it does not take right choice for you. 422528