685 FIRST AVENUE -

NEW YORK

The 685 First Avenue site is a 32,365 SF parcel located between East 39th and East 40th Streets on First Avenue in New York City south of the United Nations Headquarters along the East River, a prominent location in Manhattan. The 42-story, 460-foot high residential tower will provide 556 rental and condominium apartments and will feature panoramic views of the New York City riverfront. Minimalistic in form, great consideration is given to the materiality, lightness, transparency and order of this predominantly glass building. The idea of ‘façade as skin,’ a taut curtain wall incised with modular subdivisions is articulated with selective metal panel elements in the form of balconies, canopies and corners. A distinguishing feature is an architectural cut-out at the 27th and 28th floors, visible from across the East River delineating the program subdivision and in dialogue with the neighboring context buildings. The singular form of 685 First Avenue is borne of a desire to create an iconic building unique to Midtown Manhattan and the city of New York. The project reflects an innovative and timeless design that contributes to the history and influence of the city’s landmark buildings. Iconic, transparent and minimal in expression, its style brings the open-layout feel of converted downtown industrial spaces uptown. It will be the first all-black glass building and the tallest tower in New York City designed by Richard Meier & Partners Architects in collaboration with East River Realty Development LLC. Photo credits: Richard Meier &Partners Architects LLP.