Work is moving along on the office-to-residential conversion and expansion of the former Pfizer headquarters at 229 East 42nd Street in Midtown East, Manhattan. Designed by Gensler and developed by Metro Loft Development and David Werner Real Estate Investments, the project involves the gut renovation and full re-cladding of the 33-story tower, along with the construction of a 19-story vertical expansion of the adjacent building at 219 East 42nd Street. The conversion will yield 1,600 rental apartments, with 25 percent reserved for affordable housing, as well as ground-floor retail space and 100,000 square feet of amenities. The abutting properties are located at the northwestern corner of East 42nd Street and Second Avenue.
A significant amount of the façade has been replaced on the main tower at 229 East 42nd Street since our last update in August, when the existing envelope was still fully in place. The stepped podium has been completely re-clad with the new system, which features ribbed white paneling for the spandrels between the windows. The uppermost floors have been stripped of their metal screen and remain exposed at the moment, and two new wooden water towers were added to the southeastern edge of the roof.
219-229 East 42nd Street. Photo by Michael Young.
219-229 East 42nd Street. Photo by Michael Young.
A portion of the western side of the tower appears to feature a slightly different fenestration utilizing a tighter arrangement of black window frames.
219-229 East 42nd Street. Photo by Michael Young.
219-229 East 42nd Street. Photo by Michael Young.
Meanwhile, work is further along on the expanded annex at 219 East 42nd Street. The reinforced concrete superstructure topped out since our last update, bringing the structure to its full 29-story height, and the building is almost fully enclosed in its glass curtain wall.
219-229 East 42nd Street. Photo by Michael Young.
Amenities will include a rooftop swimming pool and a fitness center, with additional offerings expected to be disclosed later. Compass Development Marketing Group is handling marketing and leasing at the property.
The property is a short walk east of the Grand Central–42nd Street subway station and Grand Central Terminal, serving the 4, 5, 6, 7, and Shuttle trains, the Metro-North rail system, and Long Island Rail Road at the subterranean Grand Central Madison concourse.
YIMBY expects work on 219 and 229 East 42nd Street to conclude sometime next year.
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Where are Pfizer’s offices now?
The Spiral – Hudson Yards
They moved to the Spiral in Hudson Yards, 66 Hudson Blvd. E.
Pace on this project has been incredible
Now this is coming from someone who lives in Hell’s Kitchen, 10th av and 45th street, which somehow has developed the feel of a small village, but living ‘Right On’ 42nd st, has to be an acquired taste, no matter how nice the building turns out..
Imagine living on Times Square.
This isn’t anywhere near Times Square, biff33
I wasn’t suggesting it was.
I meant if living here is an acquired taste, imagine what it must be like living on Times Square, which is also 42nd Street. That would be even worse.
Imagine if there weee no tax breaks , Pfizer would have lost huge sums.
Wow, 1,600 new apartments is great. The new facade isn’t as textural as the rendering suggests, but at least the essence of mid-century design remains. Hundreds of older office buildings are viable for conversion.
I’m sure this will be a quality conversion, but really — Who would want to live in this midtown “neighborhood” ? Not I
Tudor City is not far from this. Perhaps there will be a creep of residential space westward.
Tudor City might be close distance wise, but it’s a very different world from anything else in midtown..
It’s not a horrible location, especially compared to other conversions around Times Square.
My gripe with these are the premium rents they try to charge. The building adjacent to Fulton Center is charging rents characteristic of a new building in the UES/UWS.
I can take an odd location for a value on living costs, but won’t be doing so for premium prices.
OMG… I’d love to live here. Short walk to Grand Central, NYC Public Library, Bryant Park and as stated, Tudor City.
So, now kids will be running around on the streets in midtown Manhattan….
Good point
i used to work on the 23rd floor. Would not mind an apartment there. Wonder what market rate is?
I feel bad for the Pfizer employees. They went from working in this very vibrant midtown neighborhood to Hudson Yards which has all the energy and excitement of a remote suburban office park. There is a lot of new construction in Midtown if that is what Pfizer was looking for. They must have gotten a steal on the Hudson Yards lease.
Do you not read YIMBY regularly? Hudson Yards commands a premium. Deloitte agreed to pay an estimated $150\ to $160\ per square foot at 70 Hudson Yards. Average in Manhattan is $85 to $120.
my friends at Pfizer love their new building and love Hudson Yards.
I completely disagree with your assessment of HY btw.. it is a breadth of fresh air and high line connects to it.
could it be better in design? sure but can midtown
also more mass transit far west is needed. Thank you Bloomberg for extending the 7 train
When I worked next door at 205 East 42nd Street in the 1970s there was a gorgeous stainless steel sculptural artwork on the lobby wall. I wonder what happened to that?
The artwork was reported as being up for grabs in 2024. What happened to it is a question.