A new rendering has been revealed for the Flatiron Building, the iconic landmark namesake of Manhattan’s Flatiron District. The image depicts the planned nighttime illumination scheme for the 123-year-old structure, which is currently undergoing an office-to-residential conversion designed by Studio Sofield with SLCE Architects serving as the executive architect. The multi-year renovation is being led by the development team of the Brodsky Organization, and Sorgente Group. The property is located at the confluence of Broadway, Fifth Avenue, and East 23rd Streets.
The rendering looks south at the building’s famous prow, previewing the LED lights that will illuminate its Renaissance Revival façade for the first time in its history. Designed by L’Observatoire International and approved by the Landmarks Preservation Commission, the light installation will accentuate the ornate details in the glazed terracotta exterior, particularly on the upper stories below its cornice. Also visible in the rendering is the intended look of the refurbished ground-floor frontage along the pedestrianized Broadway plaza.
The Flatiron Building’s interiors have sat vacant since its last tenant, Macmillan Publishers, left in 2019 after occupying the site for nearly 60 years. Scaffolding and black netting have covered much of its exterior for nearly six years as restoration work has unfolded in fits and starts. All of the window-mounted air conditioning units have been removed and will eventually be replaced by an upgraded internal HVAC system. Other planned improvements include an updated lobby space, new elevators, replacement of nearly 1,000 windows, revised ground-floor retail frontage and storefront louvers, and façade changes to the 21st floor behind the roof parapet.
Flatiron Building. Image: Google
The Flatiron Building. Photo by Michael Young.
Originally Designed by Daniel Burnham completed in 1902 as the Fuller Building, the 307-foot-tall steel-framed structure is among the most prominent examples of early skyscraper design and is a globally renowned symbol of New York. The developers acquired the property for $161.5 million in a March 2023 auction.
The Flatiron Building’s office-to-residential transformation is expected to be finished sometime in 2027.
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Absolutely LOVE IT! And no BS greenwashing!
The next ‘Dakota’
Bravo, iconic!
Take a good look– never again!
I’ve been in that building a few times for mtgs…that acute north corner was cool just to occupy that space. Imagine living in it?
23 Skidoo! in 2027 125 years after completion. Iconic and ironic. Next up the ESB or the Chrysler Condos (conjecture).. The times they are changing!
ESB unlikely but Chrysler is a possibility for sure
AMAZING!!!! 🤩 this will definitely be worth the wait after all these years
That looks absolutely stunning!!
Splendid.
Amazing job. Looking forward to completion.
Yep – Woolworth bldg and Flatiron converted. I can definitely see Chrysler happening in the near future.
Looking forward to completion.
Yep – Woolworth bldg and Flatiron converted. I can definitely see Chrysler happening in the near future.
It was a number of years ago but the time I was in the Flatiron building, it had the slowest elevators I can ever remember being in.
The Flatiron had hydraulic elevators which are not known for their speed. The lobby always seemed painfully plain given the ornate exterior. I never came across a photo of its original appearance. Local retailers might do well to stock up on triangular coffee tables.
Another Burnham project being converted to mostly residential is the Wanamaker Building in Philadelphia. This was arguably the most palatial department store erected in the US and houses the world’s largest functional pipe organ
its just the lighting.
which is nice
cant really change the facade, its the landmark of landmarks after all
The prow of the building was where Tom Doherty, publisher of Tor Books, had his office, when Tor Books, St Martin’s Press, and many other publishers were in the building. Sending the link to him and others!
Looks pretty nice. Any nice architecture in NYC that can be highlighted (literally)… I’m in favor of it.
Love this gorgeous structure.
Popper’s Penguins was shot there & I was lucky to have been given a tour of the building while working on the film.
Absolutely gorgeous. There’s a lot to highlight. Curious whether any interior details are left.
Great pov! soooo majestic!
I was in this building multiple times when they were offices. That prow office was only big enough for a single desk with spectacular windows on 3 sides, and DRAFTY as hell. The elevators were a creaky nightmare. This reno will be way more stunning than when it was brand new.
All it takes is $$$$$$$$$$…..