The Corinthian Apartment Building, located at 330 East 38th Street in the Murray Hill neighborhood of Manhattan, is an example of postmodern architecture. Designed by Der Scutt and Michael Schimenti and completed in 1988, it was the largest apartment building in New York City at the time, boasting 57 stories and standing 610 feet tall. Developed by Bernard Spitzer, the building sits on an entire city block, once the site of the East Side Airline Terminal. This terminal, which served as a passenger hub for buses traveling to LaGuardia and JFK airports, was closed and auctioned off in 1985, paving the way for the construction of The Corinthian.
The Corinthian Technical Information
- Architects1-9: Der Scutt Architects & Wechsler & Schimenti
- Location: 330 East 38th Street, New York City, USA
- Topics: Postmodernism
- Lot Area: 81,173 sq. ft. | 7,541 m2
- Floor Area: 1,100,000 sq. ft. | 100,000 m2
- Height: 166.4 m | 546 ft
- Project Years: 1985-1988
- Photographs: See Caption Details
The semi-circular bay windows create an unusual sculptural mass which heightens the visual drama of the building. The Corinthian is an enormous structure, and this sculptural effect diminishes the bulk visually
– Robert Metzger, Author of Der Scutt Retrospective 10
The Corinthian Photographs
Architectural Design and Innovations
The developers initially planned to demolish the entire terminal, but upon discovering its solid construction, they incorporated a significant portion into the new building’s base as office space. This innovative reuse of the terminal allowed for constructing a high-rise residential tower on solid earth, avoiding complications with the nearby Queens–Midtown Tunnel.
The Corinthian is notable for its distinctive fluted towers and bay windows, which break away from the traditional boxy shapes of New York City skyscrapers. Its design is often compared to Marina City and Lake Point Tower in Chicago, showcasing a similar emphasis on rounded, sculptural forms. The semicircular bay windows provide 180-degree views from each apartment, enhancing the residents’ connection to the surrounding cityscape.
Bernard Spitzer chose the building’s name, “The Corinthian,” to reflect what he saw as a contemporary version of the Corinthian column, the most ornate of the classical Greek orders. The building’s facade, with its undulating curves and fluted towers, evokes a modern interpretation of classical architectural elements.
The Corinthian’s architectural innovation extends to its amenities and public spaces. The fourth floor, originally the roof of the East Side Airline Terminal, serves as the building’s amenity level. This space includes a health club, a 50-foot glass-enclosed swimming pool, a sun deck, and a quarter-mile outdoor jogging track. Additionally, the building features a cascading, semicircular waterfall fountain at its First Avenue entrance and a landscaped plaza designed by Thomas Balsley Associates.
Critical Reception and Influence
Since its completion, the Corinthian has received mixed reviews from architecture critics. The 1988 AIA Guide to New York City praised it as Der Scutt’s best building, while architectural critic Carter Horsley highlighted the building’s energetic design and palatial lobby. Some lauded the building’s semicircular bay windows and fluted towers as creating a dramatic sculptural effect that visually diminishes its massive bulk.
However, not all reviews were favorable. Robert Campbell of the Boston Globe described the building’s design as “OK if unremarkable,” and other critics, like Philip Nobel, were less generous, with Nobel likening the building to “a bundle of sticks.” Some have also referred to The Corinthian as “a stick of brick-covered dimes,” reflecting a more critical perspective on its architectural expression.
Despite these mixed reviews, The Corinthian’s influence on subsequent high-rise residential buildings is undeniable. Its departure from the rectilinear forms of modernism paved the way for more expressive and varied designs in New York City’s residential architecture.
The Corinthian Legacy
The Corinthian is a significant example of postmodern architecture in Manhattan. It represents the bold design choices and innovative approaches to high-rise living that characterized the late 20th century. Its distinctive form, luxurious amenities, and strategic reuse of the East Side Airline Terminal have ensured its place in the annals of New York City’s architectural history. Today, The Corinthian remains a sought-after address, with its influence visible in the ongoing evolution of skyscraper design.
The Corinthian Plans
The Corinthian Image Gallery
About Der Scutt Architects
Der Scutt Architects was an American architectural firm founded by Der Scutt, a prominent architect known for his innovative contributions to the New York City skyline. The firm gained recognition in the 1970s and 1980s for its distinctive designs, blending modernist principles with postmodern flair. Der Scutt was particularly noted for his work on high-profile skyscrapers and luxury residential buildings, including The Corinthian Apartment in Manhattan. The firm’s work is characterized by its bold geometric forms, attention to detail, and integration of contemporary and classical elements.
Notes & Additional Credits
- Developer: Bernard Spitzer
- Contractor: Kreisler Borg Florman General Construction Company
- Structural Engineer: Fischer & Redlien, P.C.
- Landscape architect: Thomas Balsley Associates
- Floors: 55
- Units: 863 units
- Commercial Space: 125,000 square feet (11,600 square meters) on the first through third floors
- Garage: 48,000 square feet (4,500 square meters)
- Amenity Level: Includes health club, glass-enclosed swimming pool, sun deck, and jogging track on the former roof of the East Side Airline Terminal
- Der Scutt retrospective by Robert P Metzger
