425 Park Avenue represents a significant milestone in the evolution of New York City’s skyline, standing as the first full-block office building on Park Avenue in over 50 years. This new addition to the prestigious boulevard reflects a transformation in Park Avenue’s architectural landscape, alongside iconic Modernist landmarks like the Seagram Building and the Lever House. While paying homage to the legacy of its neighbors, 425 Park Avenue introduces a contemporary approach to high-rise design, seamlessly blending advanced sustainability and wellness features with a refined, timeless aesthetic.
425 Park Avenue Technical Information
- Architects1-5: Foster + Partners
- Location: 425 Park Avenue, New York, USA
- Client: L&L Holding Company
- Area: 64,193 m2
- Project Year: 2012 – 2022
- Photographs: © Nigel Young, © Alan Schindler
Clearly expressing the structure, the tapered steel and concrete framed tower rises to meet three shear walls – extending from the top of the tower, these three blades will provide a marker on the skyline.
– Foster + Partners Architects
425 Park Avenue Photographs
Architectural Form and Design: A Composition of Volumes
Designed in close collaboration with L&L Holding’s project team, the 47-story tower results from meticulous planning and site-specific analysis. It introduces a new level of sophistication and innovation to Park Avenue, creating a dialogue between modern office requirements and the street’s historical context. The inclusion of a triple-height lobby, world-class office spaces, and external green areas shows that this building is more than just another commercial tower—it is a vision for the future of urban architecture.
425 Park Avenue’s design stands out due to its thoughtful division into three distinct volumes, which give the tower its unique profile. The base, consisting of seven stories, is seamlessly integrated into the urban fabric at street level, respecting the city’s context while offering a modern intervention. Above this, a recessed central section distinguishes the middle portion of the tower, while the upper floors taper into a slender formation, offering premium office space that provides breathtaking views of the surrounding cityscape.
The building’s setbacks—an iconic feature in New York’s high-rise architecture—are a response to zoning laws and a design tool that enhances its aesthetic and symbolic presence. The first setback aligns with the street’s datum. In contrast, the second creates a visual and physical separation between the upper floors and the rest of the city’s office towers, emphasizing 425 Park Avenue’s distinct identity. This separation is further reinforced by the strategic placement of the building’s core at the rear, allowing the Park Avenue frontage to remain open and unencumbered. The eastern elevation, featuring glazed elevator lobbies, brings an unexpected liveliness to the structure, offering expansive views toward the East River.
The tower’s structural expression is as bold as its form. The steel and concrete frame tapers as it rises, culminating in three dramatic shear walls that extend from the tower’s top and mark its presence on the skyline. These three blades serve as architectural markers and underscore the building’s engineering prowess. Inside, the structural design allows for column-free floor plates on the upper levels, providing maximum flexibility for tenants, a key consideration for modern office spaces.
Amenities and Tenant Experience: Blending Work and Wellness
What truly sets 425 Park Avenue apart is its commitment to creating a workplace that nurtures productivity and well-being. Between the three distinct volumes of the tower, double-height spaces punctuate the office floors, offering open-air zones highly prized in the dense urban landscape of Manhattan. The second setback is home to The Diagrid Club, a unique social amenity level open to all tenants. This space goes beyond the typical office amenities, blending relaxation, wellness, and art in one cohesive environment.
The Diagrid Club provides unparalleled city views and access to outdoor areas where employees can retreat during breaks. Inside, the experience is curated to connect mind and body, featuring a specially commissioned art installation by the acclaimed Japanese artist Yayoi Kusama. Further enhancing this environment are private rooms for transcendental meditation, designed in partnership with the David Lynch Foundation, allowing tenants to engage in mental rejuvenation within the heart of a bustling city.
At the street level, the social focus of the building is further emphasized by the inclusion of a triple-height lobby flanked by Jean-Georges Vongerichten’s new restaurant. The 14,000-square-foot dining space elevates the building’s cultural cachet, featuring a mezzanine dining level, cocktail lounge, and a 45-foot-high ceiling adorned with a large-scale painting by artist Larry Poons. This dynamic space serves the tenants and attracts the public, reinforcing the building’s role as a new social and cultural hub on Park Avenue.
Sustainability and Modern Standards: Building for the Future
In addition to its architectural and social innovations, 425 Park Avenue is a pioneer in sustainable design, built to the stringent requirements of LEED Gold certification. The building has also achieved Well Core Gold certification, a testament to its emphasis on the health and well-being of its occupants. These certifications reflect a growing trend in office tower design, where sustainability and user experience are no longer optional but essential features.
Integrating external green spaces throughout the building is critical to its energy-efficient design. These areas offer tenants a connection to nature and contribute to the building’s overall energy performance. 425 Park Avenue sets a new standard for energy-efficient office towers by maximizing natural light and reducing reliance on artificial systems.
Beyond its environmental credentials, the building’s focus on wellness enhances the everyday experience for tenants. From the double-height open spaces to the carefully curated social amenities, the tower creates an environment that fosters well-being, productivity, and connectivity in ways that go beyond the traditional office.
425 Park Avenue Plans
425 Park Avenue Image Gallery
About Foster + Partners
Foster + Partners is a globally renowned architecture firm founded by Sir Norman Foster in 1967. The firm is headquartered in London and is recognized for its innovative approach to architecture, sustainability, and urban design. Foster + Partners has a diverse portfolio of projects that range from iconic skyscrapers and cultural institutions to transportation hubs and masterplans. Known for pioneering technology integration and environmental design, the firm has created landmark buildings such as the Gherkin in London, Apple Park in Cupertino, and the Reichstag in Berlin. Their work consistently reflects a commitment to sustainable, human-centered design.
Notes & Additional Credits
- Design Team: William Gordon, Justin Boyer, Paul Stanbridge, Pedro Haberbosch, James Barnes, David Nelson, Nigel Dancey, Natalie Wills, Khaled ElAshry
- Environmental Engineer: Foster + Partners (Concept), WSP Flack + Kurtz
- Structural Engineer: Foster + Partners (Conceptual Design), WSP Cantor Seinuk (Engineer of Record)
- Lighting Engineer: Susan Tillotson
- Collaborating Architect: Adamson Associates
