New renderings have been revealed for the proposed 29-story office-to-residential conversion and vertical expansion of 609 Fifth Avenue in Midtown East, Manhattan. Designed by Rafael Viñoly Architects and developed in a joint venture between RJ Capital Holdings and Top Rock Holdings, the project would more than double the height of the existing 14-story office structure from 187 feet to 408 feet tall and increase its square footage by 93,000 to nearly 226,000 square feet. The revamped building is slated to yield 66 condominium units. The property is alternately addressed as 4 East 49th Street and located at the southeast corner of Fifth Avenue and East 49th Street.
The main rendering shows the existing building’s prewar stone façade replaced with a modern glass curtain wall with light gray concrete spandrels lined with greenery. The glass fenestration of the Puma store at the base of the structure will be retained, and a wraparound loggia terrace will be cut out from the level above. A setback at the ninth story will align with the current massing, after which the tower will rise with a more slender form featuring a series of terraces and balconies on the western elevation. Sections of these balconies are depicted with cutouts, and the building will culminate in a tall bulkhead.
The below rendering offers a closer view of one of the upper-level landscaped terraces, showing the greenery lining the edges of the floor plate.
A terrace at 609 Fifth Avenue. Designed by Rafael Viñoly Architects.
The following Google Street View image shows the existing conditions at 609 Fifth Avenue from the same orientation as the main rendering.
609 Fifth Avenue. Image via Google Maps.
Apartments will begin on the third floor, followed by office space on the fourth story and a mix of both on the fifth level. The remainder of the building above will be dedicated to residential space with half- and full-floor units.
The nearest subways from the site are the B, D, F, and M trains at the 47th–50th Streets–Rockefeller Center station to the west along Sixth Avenue. Also nearby is the Long Island Rail Road at Grand Central Madison.
Further details about 609 Fifth Avenue’s conversion have yet to be disclosed.
Subscribe to YIMBY’s daily e-mail
Follow YIMBYgram for real-time photo updates
Like YIMBY on Facebook
Follow YIMBY’s Twitter for the latest in YIMBYnews
A rather tame 1925 neoclassical building, no great loss given what was done to the lower floors.
I guess the Vanderbilts would have raised an eyebrow seeing residential buildings returning to Fifth Avenue in Midtown…
Anderson Cooper’s books on the Vanderbilts and the Astors are both great—highly recommend!
Love it!
The old American Girl doll store.
12/10! Building of the year right here. A triumphant solarpunk vision!
Very cool. Would probably be a better location for a hotel, but if they can sell 66 bonkers expensive condos there…
Modifying the block is a little unfortunate considering that the current building is both on a block, and across the street, from contextual development.
That said, no one would take on redevelopment and not take full advantage of their air rights. Additionally, while it is nice to save older structures, this building offers little in the way of preservation as it is already heavily modified. Finally, what has been offered is a use more in demand and is generously set back as the building rises. Nice design.
Bottom line: Office to residential is reallly just a technical term here as the site will be rebuilt. It’s redevelopment and I think overall a quality design choice and defintely an apporpriate redevelopment use.
Looks nice. The shorter buildings adjacent to it have facades much more worthy of being preserved than this one.
Nice enough conversion, but I’m confused where the unit count of 66 is coming from if it’s mainly full and half-floor apartments, with a couple floors still taken up by offices.
I do love the top of the existing building. the base has been so altered..
perhaps this will be good outcome
also – buy the air rights from building to the south so there is not a blank lot line wall.
Better for all.
Very good..And I’m hoping that in further tweaks to this design that Puma thing will be rethought..
Amen, Monath, amen.
It’s nice, but I would not want to live on Fifth and 49th St.. way too busy and noisy.
No loss in the old bldg. But unfortunately, no way the lovely flowering trees where they are shown.
Indignation aside, I am happy for oligarchs to park their money on 57th street or 5th. I don’t want to live there and it reduces demand for combining housing units in desirable neighborhoods.
Looks nice. Considering that the lot size is on the small side the units will probably be on the small side.
This design seems wholly inappropriate for the block; belongs in Fort Lauderdale. Should be brick and terra cotta, whether modernist or tradional.
Modern cheap trash replacing stone & heritage. All for a quick buck. Gross