475 Fifth Avenue getting a new facade?

[krulltime]

http://www.pbase.com/image/76712542.jpg


CurbedWire: Bryant Park Goes Glassy

MIDTOWN— In NYC, if you aren't sporting the glass, you don't have any class. Thus, we weren't surprised when a reader emailed: "Looks like the Bank of America building has started a trend at Bryant Park—all glass facades. The owner of the building to the south has decided to re-skin their building which is in progress, and word has it now 475 Fifth Ave. (directly across the main branch of the public library) is also going to have a face lift. Rumor also has it that KPF will be the masterminds, and are going to create something similar to their masterpiece on 42nd and 5th (which admittedly I like.) But what the hell?!? 475 Fifth is a perfectly nice 1925 building with some nice architectural details—will giving it an all-glass facade really do the neighborhood any justice?" [CurbedWire Inbox]


Copyright © 2007 Curbed (http://www.curbed.com/archives/2007/04/05/curbedwire_bryant_park_goes_glassy_jack_parker_sit e_throwdown_in_tribeca_more.php#more)

[Derek2k3]

bad news...

[Fabrizio]

If this is true... really we are in a dark era.

[MidtownGuy]

What?????? WTF?
I was eating my lunch today across from this building on the library steps and I was looking up admiring all of the wonderful details on this building. The top has some amazing detailing. I'm going back with my camera to get some pictures posted PRONTO.
I can't believe this. I know the scaffolding has been up for quite some time, but I did not notice any glass going over it yet. I would have definitely noticed that.

[antinimby]

The owner of the building to the south has decided to re-skin their building which is in progress,What about this one they're defacing? Which one is it and what does it look like?

[krulltime]

What about this one they're defacing? Which one is it and what does it look like?

They are talking about the Verizon tower south of the Bank of America building.

[antinimby]

Thanks. My reading skills have clearly deteriorated. :D

[krulltime]

I know this is sad news. Can they just clean it and do a new change of the inside instead. :rolleyes: Or convert it to a hotel or condos. It will be so sucessfull at that site.

[MidtownGuy]

Aside from the Verizon reclad, this is about a building across from the Library where Sean John is on the ground floor.
It's beautiful, bejeweled with sculptural elements. The article says it will get a "facelift". More like another glassy death shroud, probably.

[Viktorkrum77]

Gah, glass buildings are ok, but too many is too many. They already destroyed the Verizon Buildings beautiful and unique façade.

[Citytect]

Please don't let this be true. New York is under attack by greedy developers, and the city's character is being destroyed. Does the booming real estate market trump everything in this city? Why do we continue to destroy good buildings that enhance the urban atmosphere and then replace them with mediocrity (at best) that drains the life from our streets? It's just sad. The soul of NYC cannot be replaced with a wad of cash.

[GVNY]

I can say goodbye to the Verizon building, but this would be an absolute travesty if undertaken.

This reclad must be stopped.

[londonlawyer]

This is sickening. KPF are whores. True architects would decline raping a beautiful structure.

[kz1000ps]

I'm still in the denial phase over this news. It's just too much of a punch to the gut to even know where to begin.

[ryan]

Sad and horribly (and obviously) short-sighted. Didn't help the Biltmore hotel next to Grand Central. Makes a good case for aggressive landmarking.

http://upload.wikimedia.org/wikipedia/en/5/55/Biltmore-NewYorkCity.jpghttp://www.millerandpartners.com/images/japanese_conglomerate.jpg

[Fabrizio]

Yes....let's keep posting photos of the old Penn Station. Let's keep telling ourselves how folks are so much more enlightened now, how something like that could never happen again.

Meanwhile...

[NYCDOC]

Signing onto this website everyday is increasingly becoming a source of frustration and disappointment. Instead of logging on and seeing positive developments in the city I feel like everyday there is something that is ruining the city with which all of us are enamored.

Does anyone have any ideas as to how this community can have more of an active voice? As a suggestion, maybe we can use this site. Would it be realistic or worthwhile to have a section of this forum dedicated to polling members and then writing brief editorials (put together by moderators or senior members) that would represent the majority of the WNY community's opinion so that when someone does a search online for a building or project the WNY editorial page would come up and would serve to give an established position good or bad on a developer's/architect's project. This way at least we could bring some shame to these people who carelessly are destroying our city.

[MidtownGuy]

Signing onto this website everyday is increasingly becoming a source of frustration and disappointment. Instead of logging on and seeing positive developments in the city I feel like everyday there is something that is ruining the city with which all of us are enamored.
Well said.
I am willing to try anything.
I'm VERY upset over this. It was the last thing I thought of before bed, and the first thing this morning. Achievements of great beauty are being destroyed all around me and I feel so powerless. The city I love is eating itself. This isn't about development. There are sites in town that need that...this is pure vandalism and greed.
:(
Something classic and irreplaceable is about to be destroyed. What do we do?

[londonlawyer]

This is sickening. So many mistakes from the 60's in that immediate area could use a new facade, and yet the philistine owners chose to deface this gem.

The absurd thing is that the idiots on the Landmarks committee and community boards are giving developers difficult times regarding mundane buildings in the immediate vicinity on 5th and across from Bryant Park and making themselves feel important. In the meantime, they're sitting idly and letting this horrific crime occur. Tierney really is delusional and insane.

[212]

About the rumored architect ... I thought KPF was a classy outfit. But maybe I was wrong.

[TREPYE]

http://www.pbase.com/image/76712542.jpg


CurbedWire: Bryant Park Goes Glassy

MIDTOWN— In NYC, if you aren't sporting the glass, you don't have any class. Thus, we weren't surprised when a reader emailed: "Looks like the Bank of America building has started a trend at Bryant Park—all glass facades. The owner of the building to the south has decided to re-skin their building which is in progress, and word has it now 475 Fifth Ave. (directly across the main branch of the public library) is also going to have a face lift. Rumor also has it that KPF will be the masterminds, and are going to create something similar to their masterpiece on 42nd and 5th (which admittedly I like.) But what the hell?!? 475 Fifth is a perfectly nice 1925 building with some nice architectural details—will giving it an all-glass facade really do the neighborhood any justice?" [CurbedWire Inbox]
Copyright © 2007 Curbed (http://www.curbed.com/archives/2007/04/05/curbedwire_bryant_park_goes_glassy_jack_parker_sit e_throwdown_in_tribeca_more.php#more)

I could give a thousand reasons why I love NYC but if there is one thing I abhor about this city is its tendency to self mutilate itself of its class. Ripping off its beauty marks and replacing them with scabs of glass. This is a truly disgusting turn of events. :mad:

Where the eff is the landmarks commission on all of this???????

[londonlawyer]

The DOB simply lists this as a facade repair. Hopefully, that's all it is.

Dob #104466828
06/19/2006 A3 Installation of a heavy duty sidewalk shed 210' during facade repair. no change in use, egress or occupancy. shed to comply with ll

33/91 and tppn 9/99. 06/26/2006
01-EQ

PS: As per the following article, Monian purchased this building in Nov. of 06. Is he the jerk who also is razing part of the L&T building?

"Blue Christmas for Trammell?"
By John Koblin



415 Fifth Avenue.
It’s been a busy week for Murray Hill Properties. As The Observer reported first last week, Murray Hill Properties is in contract to purchase 1 Park Avenue, the 920,000-square-foot building in midtown south.

Now, the company is putting a smaller asset, 417 Fifth Avenue, up for sale, according to a source.

The 11-story and roughly 420,000-square-foot building, which Murray Hill owns in partnership with General Electric, should command more than $600 a square foot, the source said.

Right down the street, Joseph Moinian just purchased 475 Fifth Avenue for $162 million, or about $650 a foot.

[antinimby]

Yes folks, not only are we losing the old greats due to either defacing or demolition but check out what we're now getting in their place (this is just a small sample of the dozens upon dozens of cheap-ass McSams and Poon palaces either built or soon on the way):

http://img185.imageshack.us/img185/980/37w24hi1.jpg

http://farm1.static.flickr.com/136/348314433_9704670442.jpg

http://gace.net/images/port_hotel_50644th.jpg

http://gace.net/images/port_hotel_326.jpg

http://www.nypost.com/seven/02052007/photos/biz034.jpg

http://e.yimg.com/tr.us.o.yimg.com/imgs/T/T03045/T03045_EXT_01_J.jpg

http://www.gkarchitect.com/GKA%20assets/project%20images/108w24th.jpg


http://i.pbase.com/v3/55/435155/1/51644523.SheratonMarriott.JPG

[Stern]

I walked by this building recently and seem to remember the following, a giant crane positioned on 41st and the top two floors of the fascade of the building in question removed, at the time I thought they were an addition, but it looks like this building is in the process of getting a new fascade.

[NYCDOC]

If anything needs to be fixed in this stretch it is the POS tower to the left of the above photo.

[MidtownGuy]

http://farm1.static.flickr.com/200/448840429_1e07e5d334_b.jpg

http://farm1.static.flickr.com/230/448840435_a9bdf1c2ca_b.jpg

http://farm1.static.flickr.com/170/448840437_5251f36dc7_b.jpg

http://farm1.static.flickr.com/188/448840441_829f0a6e7e_b.jpg

http://farm1.static.flickr.com/198/448840449_cd2458697f_b.jpg

http://farm1.static.flickr.com/252/448840451_359078280b_b.jpg

http://farm1.static.flickr.com/189/448836908_326b9f4a24_b.jpg

http://farm1.static.flickr.com/242/448836924_8a9f953b82_b.jpg

[Stern]

^^^^ That's the building getting the new fascade? Thats a damn shame. I thought it was the building next to sliver which as I already mentioned is already getting work done to it.

[londonlawyer]

Notwithstanding the post on curbed.com re: KPF designing a new glass facade, are we sure this, in fact, will occur? The DOB permit suggests only that facade repairs will occur.

[Viktorkrum77]

^^^^ That's the building getting the new fascade? Thats a damn shame. I thought it was the building next to sliver which as I already mentioned is already getting work done to it.

Yea, I thought it was the building boarding it to the right with the pyramid top. BTW what building are you talking about, I can't tell?

[Stern]

Yea, I thought it was the building boarding it to the right with the pyramid top. BTW what building are you talking about, I can't tell?

The building next to the ugly sliver, north side of 41st.

[pianoman11686]

That one's getting converted into a Hyatt Hotel. No major facade alterations, but I think it's getting a rooftop addition.

[Taz]

475 Fifth, across from the Library...is that not HSBC Bank?

[krulltime]

The building next to the ugly sliver, north side of 41st.

Yeah that is 485 Fifth Avenue. This is the rendering for what it will look like. Looks kind of scary actually. But at least they kept the old facade.

http://www.pbase.com/image/58929926.jpg

[MidtownGuy]

yeah, that's this one.

http://farm1.static.flickr.com/226/449567754_068d44371a_b.jpg

[TREPYE]

http://www.pbase.com/image/58929926.jpg

How stupid looking:rolleyes:

[lofter1]

perfect description ^^^

The NEW school of NY Architecture: STUPID BUILDINGS

Me fears the list will be a very long one ...

[antinimby]

So it looks like all this façade redo rumor may be much ado about nothing.

Looks like the building that is getting the addition, is also undergoing a cleaning (as evidenced by that lighter patch of brick) and I suspect 475 will also be getting the same.

I think we can all breathe a sigh of relief now.

[ablarc]

I think we can all breathe a sigh of relief now.
Whistling in the dark?

[antinimby]

That would have to do for now.

[Viktorkrum77]

What's the names of these buildings? I believe 1 is the POS Tower but I can't find anything on Google or Emporis about it.

http://img208.imageshack.us/img208/6411/namesci0.png (http://imageshack.us)

[antinimby]

1) 487 Fifth Ave. (sorry, couldn't find a link).

2) 461 (http://www.thecityreview.com/461fifth.html) Fifth Ave.

3) The Republic Bank Building (http://www.thecityreview.com/repub.html).

[Stern]

1) 487 Fifth Ave. (sorry, couldn't find a link).

2) 461 (http://www.thecityreview.com/461fifth.html) Fifth Ave.

3) The Republic Bank Building (http://www.thecityreview.com/repub.html).

Not to nitpick but according to emporis and the city review the ugly sliver is known as 489 Fifth Avenue.

[Jasonik]

1=...the banal sliver building at 489 Fifth Avenue, one block north [of 461]... whose bright white banding calls attention to its uninspired design by Kahn & Jacobs...

[antinimby]

Not to nitpick but according to emporis and the city review the ugly sliver is known as 489 Fifth Avenue.I think they may be wrong.

497 is the older building next to it, on the corner @ E. 42 St.

[antinimby]

^ I swear, I thought I saw you wrote 497 before I replied.

In any case, both 487-489 seems to be correct as I'm sure the original lots was combined at some point.

[Viktorkrum77]

1=

Ah, I was confused what the silver building he was referring to was.

Thank you Antinimby!

*Edit* Oh it's one of the most expensive buildings to tenant, wow, would hardly seem like that, seems like such an irrelevant building lol.

[londonlawyer]

So it looks like all this façade redo rumor may be much ado about nothing....

I thought that the curbed article might be wrong also especially since the DOB website says that 475 5th is simply getting facade repairs -- not a new facade. On what basis, do you believe that the facade will not be replaced? We need more evidence to debunk the facade story in order to alleviate the obvious depression that this story has caused everyone!

It would be nice if the POS just north of 485 5th received a new facade and the same holds true for 330 Madison.

Does anyone if the cornice on 485 5th will be disturbed as a result of the retarded addition.

[Fahzee]

For future reference, if people are worried about this building (or any other) - I would suggest emailing/calling Simeon Bankoff at the Historic Distircts Council (hdc@hdc.org, 212-614-9107)

Simeon is a tireless advocate of great new york buildings - he constantly gives testimony at the various Landmark District Council meeting.

Saving any great building involves a lot of petioning - and I am pretty sure that the HDC can give you (us) all of the info needed on where to start, & who to contact

[lbjefferies]

If this building is to be harmed then I would never forgive those involved. I hope very much that Londonlawyer and Antinimby are correct in that this scare is a result of bad reporting.

[antinimby]

On what basis, do you believe that the facade will not be replaced? We need more evidence to debunk the facade story in order to alleviate the obvious depression that this story has caused everyone!

If this building is to be harmed then I would never forgive those involved. I hope very much that Londonlawyer and Antinimby are correct in that this scare is a result of bad reporting.

I'm not saying I know anything for certain but I was putting 2 and 2 together and suspect they're just trying to "clean" up the grime.

Look at the lighter patch of brick on the building next door:

http://farm1.static.flickr.com/226/449567754_068d44371a_b.jpg

...of course I could be wrong and 475 is indeed, will be going to hell. :D . . . :(

[LeCom]

The building's current facade is average at most and it won't be a tragedy to see it gone, but I'd prefer they stop doing these things. Or at least they should take down the building (as it has no historical value, however much it had, without the facade anyway) and put up a new, taller and better, building altogether. It is a prime spot, after all, one of the best on 5th Avenue, which is among the most famous streets in the world.

[TREPYE]

The building's current facade is average at most and it won't be a tragedy to see it gone, but I'd prefer they stop doing these things. Or at least they should take down the building (as it has no historical value, however much it had, without the facade anyway) and put up a new, taller and better, building altogether. It is a prime spot, after all, one of the best on 5th Avenue, which is among the most famous streets in the world.

No historical value?? I couldn't disagree more. These relics of the past capture the mood and appearance of New York City at some point in time. In this case, while it may not be elegant or spectacular enough for some, to me it is a snapshot of old NYC. This is something that 5th and Madison avenues are rich with. You walk through these streets and it is like walking through a photo album of a different era.

[MidtownGuy]

LeCom, are you talking about the building in the above photo, or 475 on the previous page? :confused:

[lbjefferies]

http://farm1.static.flickr.com/188/448840441_829f0a6e7e_b.jpg

http://farm1.static.flickr.com/198/448840449_cd2458697f_b.jpg

http://farm1.static.flickr.com/242/448836924_8a9f953b82_b.jpg

To say this building has little historical value is quite ridiculous. If this building is raped of its original charm, then it would be a tragedy; this is a fact and isn't up for debate. Seeing as how the building looks to be in very good shape, I have little hope that this is merely a restoration. I'm afraid the worst may, in fact, happen.

[stache]

The top is nice but had anyone ever stopped to look at it? (Not me.) The lower portion is banal.

[MidtownGuy]

In fact, I had many times. If one is sitting on the steps or in the plaza of the Library, you pretty much can't help but notice and admire it.
The base, banal? Speaking relatively, in terms of what they present us with about 75% of the time nowadays, I don't think so.
This building is beautiful. Not just the crown, but the arch motif along the base and repeated at the top, the massing, the detailing at each tier along the midsections. The brickwork itself is laid in a very nice way.
Taste, of course, is subjective.

This building is part of a conglomeration of buildings on the blocks to the east
just below 42nd street that comprise in my opinion one of New York's most
interesting areas architecturally. You should walk around the area and take the time to look at the buildings and how they relate to each other if you haven't had the chance. Truly wonderful. To sheath these in glass...now that would be banal.

[ablarc]

The bottom line:

To sheath these in glass...now that would be banal.

[Fabrizio]

"The top is nice but had anyone ever stopped to look at it? (Not me.) The lower portion is banal."

I believe people sensitive to beauty do notice this building on a stroll down 5th or from the library.

But I also feel that, unfortunately, the fine detailing, the gargoyles, the exquisite patterns of brickwork will be lost on the masses. So, what else is new?.

But note that the facade of 475 is so important that the architects of the post-modern building (461) built next to it, were careful to pay their respects. Notice how the cornice lines match, the windows line up. Even the roof is a mirror image. I would have prefered a different kind of homage, but respect was paid. If this stretch of 5th isn't about a building like 475... what is it about?:

http://www.pbase.com/image/76712542.jpg


And compare the "boring" base of 475 with that of the Sherry Netherland up the street:

[stache]

Sherry Netherland is my favorite tower in NYC. Maybe it's just me, I walked by 475 daily for several years and it just doesn't 'send' me. It reminds me too much of similar nondescript towers in Chicago, from my youth.

[londonlawyer]

Perhaps 475 was oblivious to many people for a long time because the area in which it's located was quite tawdry and rundown for so long. However, the area south of 42nd Street has rebounded dramatically and may emerge as one of the most beautiful in the city (assuming it's not razed and redeveloped) because it has street after street of magnificent, old buildings. If 475 were in Chicago, it would be among the 20 best buildings in the city. While there are scores like it in NY, they must be preserved.