First Glimpse at One Vanderbilt’s Terra-Cotta and Glass Facade, Midtown East

Two weeks ago, YIMBY reported on the rise of the first of two cranes that will be used to build One Vanderbilt, on the corner of 42nd Street and Vanderbilt Avenue, in Midtown East. Now, the second crane has been installed, and the first photos of the supertall’s facade have also been revealed. While glass won’t appear on the actual tower for another year or so, the initial images are very promising for what will become the tallest skyscraper in the neighborhood.

One Vanderbilt Facade, via Instagram

As described by the building’s PR team,

Diagonal spandrels of terra-cotta will be placed throughout the skyscraper’s curtain wall with a concentration at the base, designed to interplay with the Beaux Arts landmark [Grand Central].

Terra-cotta has once again become a standard exterior material for New York City’s new skyscrapers, and among the new supertalls, it will also be deployed at 111 West 57th Street, to One Vanderbilt’s northwest. In both instances, the contextual touch will help complement instead of overwhelm pre-war surrounds.

Besides the first actual look at the tower’s future exterior, construction is also making continued headway. The site’s second crane has now been fully installed, and with both cranes now in operation, verticality should progress with vigor. Steel is already rising well above ground level.

Completion of the Kohn Pedersen Fox-designed tower, which will rise 1,401 feet and 59 floors to its rooftop, is scheduled for 2020. SL Green is developing, and the project will include 1.5 million square feet of office space on upper floors, and 200,000 square feet of retail in the base, to be occupied by TD Bank.

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