Work is underway on the office-to-residential conversion and vertical expansion of 6 East 43rd Street, a 27-story office tower in Midtown, Manhattan. Designed by Gensler and developed by Vanbarton Group, the 400,000-square-foot project will yield 441 rental units, with 111 dedicated to affordable housing. The 57-year-old structure is located between Fifth and Madison Avenues with frontage on both East 42nd and 43rd Streets.
The new rendering above previews the northern elevation facing East 43rd Street, showing its Midcentury-style façade restored with new bronze-hued paneling between the grid of floor-to-ceiling windows. It appears that five new floors will be constructed, set back slightly above the existing roofline. A mechanical bulkhead clad in bronze paneling will rise on the western end of the upper floors, extending higher than the final residential level.
The below Google Street View images show the existing conditions on the northern and southern profiles.
The northern elevation of 6 East 43rd Street. Image via Google Maps.
The southern elevation of 6 East 43rd Street. Image via Google Maps.
Vanbarton Group secured a $300 million loan from Brookfield Properties and is undertaking the project using the 467-m tax program. This incentive aims to increase the number of affordable homes in New York City by offering developers up to a 90-percent reduction in property taxes in exchange for the designation of 25 percent or more of the total units as affordable.
6 East 43rd Street was previously owned by the Milstein family’s Emigrant Savings Bank, which acquired the property for $135 million. The structure is largely vacant at the moment, with the exception of the 20,000-square-foot T-Squared Social venue operating on the ground level.
The property is located in close proximity to Grand Central Terminal, offering access to the 4, 5, 6, 7, and Shuttle trains to Times Square, as well as the Metro-North Railroad network and Long Island Rail Road (LIRR).
Interior demolition is underway and 6 East 43rd Street is anticipated to begin occupancy in spring 2027.
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Bold choice for conversion, will be interesting to see how they handle those lower floors.
Sounds like they have it figured out smart strategy to work quickly.
Very interesting but good to see
This doesn’t seem like a particular obvious choice for a conversion. I’ve always kind of liked the sort monumental modernity of the Emigrant Bank at the base. Will this be preserved? Will a bank still occupy the ground floor?
This is another great example of a conversion that isn’t completely changed, but improved. It will very much remain a mid-century design and now provide badly needed housing. This is the best way for conversions to continue the trend, and it’s also very green instead of destroying what’s already been built. Bravo!
Very exciting to see more midtown residential
Has Michael Young got a side gig in Paris?