KPF to build glass office tower as part of 'one madison avenue' project in new york

construction work is underway in new york at the site of ‘one madison avenue’, where kohn pedersen fox associates (KPF) is transforming an existing full-block structure into a 27-floor office complex. KPF’s design updates an existing, mid-century podium and adds a new tower along with over an acre of outdoor space and multiple terraces overlooking madison square park. in addition, on site amenities will include retail space, an 800-person event space, an artisanal food market, a club-style tenant lounge, and a full-service fitness center.

all images by motiv, unless otherwise stated

to envision, design, and develop the project, SL green re-assembled the team that recently delivered ‘one vanderbilt avenue’: hines, KPF, AECOM tishman, and national pension service of korea. ‘KPF has enjoyed working with SL green over the years, recently on one vanderbilt avenue and now on one madison avenue, which is very different from its taller cousin in midtown, but we think will have an equally dramatic and positive impact on the city,’ says doug hocking, AIA, KPF design principal.

the project will see 67% of the building’s original structure retained, with a significant amount of embodied energy reused. ‘we wanted to preserve the character of the original building but also open it up so we could extend the nature of the adjacent park through the tower,’ KPF’s doug hocking continues. ‘when completed, we’re confident that one madison will be a dynamic, inspiring workplace for the 21st century.’

the glass-enclosed tower will create new office space across 32-35,000-square-foot (2,973-3,252 sqm) floorplates. the 10th and 11th floors will be specialty spaces featuring 22 ft (6.7m) slab heights with outdoor roof decks. the design seeks to harmonize with the surrounding madison square district, complementing the park by incorporating significant softscape features.

‘our commitment and belief in new york city is unwavering,’ adds marc holliday, chairman and chief executive officer of SL green. ‘despite the headwinds presented by current and temporary challenges, we remain focused on boosting the new york city economy by creating thousands of construction jobs and bringing a new, best-in-class office tower to the highly sought-after flatiron/midtown south submarket for the first time in a decade.’ see other projects by KPF on designboom here.

photography of the existing site | image by kevin chu + jessica paul

project info:

name: one madison avenue
location: new york, NY
architect: kohn pedersen fox associates (KPF)
developer: SL green
status: construction underway