Image Credit : Colin Miller Photography
Project Overview
As the only skyscraper designed by world-renowned architect Eero Saarinen, 51 W 52nd Street is a singular icon of classic New York architecture. When CBS CEO William Paley acquired the site in 1960, he tapped Saarinen to build what the architect would dub “the simplest skyscraper in New York.” Characterized by its dark granite diamond-shaped piers, the revolutionary design of the “Black Rock” created 880,000 square feet of column-free space as it rose like a solid rock from the ground. However, the tinted glass between the piers obscured the lobby, and the building’s original programming did not accommodate a hospitable experience. Harbor Group acquired the trophy asset in 2021 and set forth to re-envision this treasured landmark while respecting and celebrating the original architecture.
Project Commissioner
Project Creator
Team
Owner: Harbor Group International
Architect of Record: MdeAS Architects, Vocon
Interior Designer: MdeAS Architects, Vocon
Base Building Architect: MdeAS Architects
Structural Engineer: Shmerykowsky Consulting Engineers
MEP Engineers: AKF
Security Consultant: Alliance Security
Lighting Designer: Lighting Workshop
Feature Lighting Manufacturer: Viso
POE Lighting Design: MHT Lighting
Elevator Consultant: Van Deusen Associates
Landmarks Consultant: Higgins Quasebarth
Graphics/Signage: Pentagram
Acoustics, Av, IT: Cerami Associates
Pool Consultant/ Manufacturer: Steelways Inc.
Culinary Design: Davella
Fitness Design: Comm-Fit Strong
Contractor: James E. Fitzgerald
Project Brief
The repositioning of this iconic New York tower celebrates Saarinen’s original design intent while preparing it for modern tenancy through trophy-caliber amenity offerings. In the first design phase, the team restored the landmarked plaza to its previous grandeur. Saarinen envisioned a sunken plaza that would allow the tower to “stand alone with air and light around it.” Over time, the addition of planters and signage distracted from the simplicity of Saarinen’s original vision. As part of a thoughtful approach in collaboration with the NYC Landmarks Preservation Commission, the restoration simplifies the plaza experience, exposing the original stone seating ledges and specifying new accent lighting to enhance the public space.
Second, the renovated 52nd Street lobby “uncovers the Black Rock”, showcasing Saarinen’s original palette of sable granite, statuary bronze, and light travertine. Modern elements were thoughtfully selected to enhance the experience Saarinen had envisioned, including a sparkling light installation suspended from the 20-foot-high ceiling, a glowing onyx reception desk, and the restoration of the original rich bronze fin walls that flank the building’s lobbies. The 53rd Street lobby has been re-imagined as a tenant lounge and mixer club: Club 53. Curated with original Knoll and Saarinen furniture, and lit by a second monumental light installation, the new amenity reflects the bespoke hospitality required of today’s trophy office buildings, while preserving Saarinen’s design elements.
Project Innovation/Need
The repositioning of 51W52 capitalizes on the use of previously underutilized space at the lower level to create a world-class amenity suite for tenants. A Saarinen-inspired staircase connects Club 53 to the lower level where a private cocktail lounge, fitness center, flexible forum, and shared conference rooms have been added. In the spirit of Saarinen’s original design, a tranquil reflective pool connects these spaces with modern simplicity. The careful design of the stair’s double stringers allows them to act as a structure, reducing the amount of steel required and increasing visibility to the water below. The cocktail lounge, with design elements reminiscent of the CBS Headquarters’ original ground-floor restaurant, completes the amenity space. The dark granite from the lobby carries down to the walls of the lower level and slowly gives way to a new material palette of terrazzo, dark oak wood flooring, and black lacquered diamond-shaped piers. Classic furniture and high-end materials create the ultimate, refined hospitality experience for this iconic New York office building.
Design Challenge
The lower level previously served as a mail room for the building and was designed as a utilitarian space with low ceiling heights. It was a challenge to navigate the existing conditions and complexity of overhead MEP systems. The team worked closely with consultants and contractors to maximize the quality of space for the new amenity suite. It was also challenging to create a new opening in the slab for the feature stair. Due to the column-free design of the original building, the slab was triple-reinforced and nearly three feet deep at the core. In order to successfully deliver a stunning transition from the new Club 53 to the amenity suite, the stair would need to be designed with its own inner structure. The result is a beautiful double stringer that allows the travertine treads to float above the reflecting pool below.
Sustainability
Building construction accounts for 38% of total global emissions. It was the goal of the project to preserve embodied carbon by restoring this iconic landmark with minimal intervention. A large portion of the project included restoration of the original architecture. The original travertine core walls were preserved, cleaned, and enhanced with new lighting. The bronze fin walls flanking the lobbies had blackened over time but were able to acquire their original luster with custom paint. Finally, the plaza was restored to its original configuration and updated to contemporary codes. The selective restoration and upgradation of 51W52 ensures that it will continue to contribute to the built environment for another lifetime. In a city where new construction projects go up daily, visionary monuments like 51W52 must be preserved and require thoughtful reimaging to be celebrated as such.
Interior Design - Corporate & Commercial
This award celebrates innovative and creative building interiors, with consideration given to space creation and planning, furnishings, finishes, aesthetic presentation and functionality. Consideration also given to space allocation, traffic flow, building services, lighting, fixtures, flooring, colours, furnishings and surface finishes.
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