New renderings have been revealed for 800 Fifth Avenue, a proposed 26-story residential building on Manhattan’s Upper East Side. Designed by Robert A. M. Stern Architects and developed by Naftali Group, the structure will stand 330 feet tall and yield an undisclosed number of condominium units. The project will require the partial demolition of the current occupant, a 33-story rental building constructed in 1979. The property is located within the Upper East Side Historic District at the corner of Fifth Avenue and East 61st Street, directly across from Central Park.
The main rendering above shows the western profile bearing RAMSA’s signature prewar-inspired design elements, including a warm limestone façade and multifaceted upper massing. The structure begins with a five-story podium, followed by the main tower rising to a series of setbacks topped with terraces. The symmetrical fenestration incorporates large arched windows on the upper corners and at the center of the building below its ornamental crown.
The following images show the current occupant and the new structure, previewing how the latter’s aesthetics will blend more appropriately with the surrounding architectural context.
The existing 800 Fifth Avenue. Designed by Ulrich Franzen & Associates.
The proposed redevelopment for 800 Fifth Avenue. Designed by Robert A. M. Stern Architects.
The existing 800 Fifth Avenue. Designed by Ulrich Franzen & Associates.
The proposed redevelopment for 800 Fifth Avenue. Designed by Robert A. M. Stern Architects.
The existing 800 Fifth Avenue. Designed by Ulrich Franzen & Associates.
The proposed redevelopment for 800 Fifth Avenue. Designed by Robert A. M. Stern Architects.
The next images show the current and proposed structures along Fifth Avenue. More visible are the details in the limestone façade, including decorative window frames and lintels and the use of dentil trim cornices. A terrace with glass railings is shown atop the sixth story corner cutout, and new raised garden beds will line the sidewalks along Fifth Avenue.
The existing 800 Fifth Avenue. Designed by Ulrich Franzen & Associates.
The proposed redevelopment for 800 Fifth Avenue. Designed by Robert A. M. Stern Architects.
The existing 800 Fifth Avenue. Designed by Ulrich Franzen & Associates.
The proposed redevelopment for 800 Fifth Avenue. Designed by Robert A. M. Stern Architects.
Here we see the current and proposed redesign of the motor courtyard space along East 61st Street.
The existing 800 Fifth Avenue. Designed by Ulrich Franzen & Associates.
The proposed redevelopment for 800 Fifth Avenue. Designed by Robert A. M. Stern Architects.
Elevation diagrams below highlight RAMSA’s architectural design.
The existing 800 Fifth Avenue. Designed by Ulrich Franzen & Associates.
The proposed redevelopment for 800 Fifth Avenue. Designed by Robert A. M. Stern Architects.
The proposed redevelopment for 800 Fifth Avenue. Designed by Robert A. M. Stern Architects.
The proposed redevelopment for 800 Fifth Avenue. Designed by Robert A. M. Stern Architects.
The proposed redevelopment for 800 Fifth Avenue. Designed by Robert A. M. Stern Architects.
The proposed redevelopment for 800 Fifth Avenue. Designed by Robert A. M. Stern Architects.
The below diagram previews the structure’s footprint and landscaped motor courtyard, which will include a vehicular elevator leading to a subterranean parking structure. The tower appears to have an irregular shaped core, as noted by the central outline on the orange-shaded volume.
The proposed redevelopment for 800 Fifth Avenue. Designed by Robert A. M. Stern Architects.
Naftali Group acquired the building from Spitzer Enterprises and Winter Properties in August for $810 million. The purchase included $675 million in financing from J.P. Morgan and Golden Tree.
The development site is located one block north of the N, R, and W trains at the 5th Avenue–59th Street station.
The proposal for 800 Fifth Avenue will require approval from Manhattan Community Board 8’s landmarks committee and the Landmarks Preservation Commission before a partial demolition and construction can begin.
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Many of the Gilded Age mansions which lined Fifth Ave. did not make it to age 45. Modern buildings are not doing much better.
I know that floor to ceiling windows are the thing these days, but I never found them practical in regards to placement of furnishings and the fading of fabrics and bleaching of wood. At least they keep the curtain people in business. The windows in the RAMSA design seem overly large for a “traditional” building.
Dodge mansion on the site lasted longer.
Wonderful news. What’s there now is awful and glaringly out of place. Tear that crap down and build this beauty.
800 million for then site. I don’t want to know how much these condos will cost.
Reckon mostly full floor starting at 50 million or so? Imagine they will go for 220 cps prices…
they’re charging $11,000/sf
The site was home to the Bostwick family. Bostwick worked with Rockefeller and Dodge. That mansion was demolished in the 1930s (estimate) for what has been described as a very dull Dodge mansion. The current building was built in 1979 so neither the mansion nor this building have lasted very long (thankfully).
This 26 story building will likely be exceeding $1 billion in costs so the price tag per floor will be roughly $45 million. Expect some very pricy condominiums.
My dentist has been in 800 bldg for decades, wonder what buyout $$ for current residents will be? Better call Rosenholc!
It’s a rental building so I think it’s just a matter of not offering a lease renewal… but who knows! Maybe your dentist will be able to finally retire.
Those well off current residents have supposedly been hiring lawyers and are preparing to put up a fight, getting them out will be like ‘pulling teeth’
Shades of pre-220 CPS?
Wow… Talk about an upgrade!
Very Symmetrical & Theatrical.
This 1979 building is Not PostModern, this is Late Century Modern!
I’m actually growing fond of this period…think movie ‘Once Is Not Enough’.
But, since all is fleeting, I just wish the Stern build was leaner and asymmetrical.
That movie has a 4.6/10 rating on IMDB. oof.
How does a building on the east side of 5th Avenue get an even-numbered address? The Plaza Hotel is at 768 and the Metropolitan Museum of Art is at 1000. Both are on the other side of the street.
There is a building on 86th St. with no frontage on Fifth Ave. which has a Fifth Ave. address. On most avenues, even numbers are all on the west side, but the reverse is the case on Second Ave.
They are taking down a 33 story building with more apartments to build a 26 story building with fewer???
That might be an issue in the real world, this is the unreal world..
I could be wrong but I don’t think they’re taking it down. I think they are just refurbishing/renovating it heavily.
And (again, I could be wrong) but I think they may be combining some of the upper floors which may account for the floor count loss.
Wrong. They’re talking demolition. A total gut/rebuild of the existing structure to meet RAMSA’s standards ($$$$$) would likely cost more than starting from scratch after demolition. Money rules.
The wealthy clearly have too much money to burn. Our current completely corrupt economic system cannot last.
Our system has lasted centuries- it was the post war boom that was an abnormality.
5th Avenue has always been priced for titans. If anything, this development is going back to its roots and getting rid of a rental building.
So because of history, you’re saying a small minority taking most of our nation’s wealth is the only option?
Not at all. You wrote that the system cannot last. I am simply pointing out that it has lasted for centuries. I wouldn’t be surprised if it continues to last. I’m not advocating for it, but I’m not holding my breath that this changes anytime soon.
The system is working better than any other in the history of mankind. More people have been lifted from poverty by capitalism than any other, and even poverty in this nation have more than most. That’s why so many risk everything to move here.
If you’re jealous, better to ask yourself why you failed while others thrived and achieved great wealth. Most billionaires in the US earned their wealth by making our lives better, with innovations like the PC, iPhone, EV’s, Google, or by bringing products to the masses at a lower price, such as Walmart and Amazon.
Again, if you didn’t reach your full potential, it’s on you. I’m no billionaire, but I’m also honest enough to realize I didn’t take the same risks, or have the same vision they had.
LOL.
What a rich explanation.
Not if you’re a member of the lucky sperm club.
Finally, the Pierre Hotel having a decent looking neighbor that matches its elegance.
You’re right! Stand on Gapstow Bridge in Central Park, on the Pond…and look at the view. The current 800 Fifth Avenue is hideous. An ugly box with no visual integrity or aspirational connection to the elegant Pierre or Sherry Netherland. The new Robert A.M. Stern design will fit in magnificently with its tastefully dignified neighbors! The 800 Fifth address will become Manhattan’s most sought after residential building for the wealthiest .01%. And only a 3 minute walk to the grandest department store in America…Bergdorf Goodman. The most fabulous destination for any trophy wife!
Grest looking building, just double its height.
Who ever heard of reducing the height of the new building having just paid crazy money for more floors ! Good architecture does have limits !
Huge improvement
INTERESTING FACTS: AT 80 YEARS OF AGE, HAVING BEEN A BUTLER TO MR.& MRS.N.GOLDMAN –
(FORMERLY OF:778 PARK (FLOOR THRU)- I RECALL MRS.GOLDMAN – ‘DREADING’ THE MOVE TO – THE SOON TO BE ‘REMOVED’ ADDRESS. IN ADDITION, I ALSO WORKED FOR MRS.OGDEN PHIPPS,
WHOSE FAMILY WAS … BOSTWICK. SMALL WORLD. THIS IS ONE BLDG.THAT WOULDN’T BE MISSED.
What a CAPITALIST
The building is a solid 8. Wish it was just a bit more interesting with its massing and a little less fortress-y at ground level. The icing on the cake would have been to include a smallish auxiliary building on the back of the lot on 61st to cover up.that godawful exposed lot line wall.
What am I missing. It basically looks the same minus the terraces. I am surprised they aren’t developing that value empty garden behind. I guess it legally had to be the exact same height.
No way in hell do these two look the same. The building today has an ugly exterior that looks so out of place and unworthy of its prominent position next to the Pierre and Central Park. It’s much clearer to see that RAMSA designed something that looks more appropriate and contextually fitting for the area.
“It basically looks the same.”
Andrea Sachs: Both those belts look exactly the same to me, you know I’m still learning about this stuff and uh…
Miranda Priestly: This…”stuff?”
Love it! Can’t wait to see how they work out the sequel. I’m guessing that keeping the height the same minimizes some sort of additional zoning review. I don’t know, but I think it must be something along those lines. Same thing for saving the garden- even though I am sure future residents will enjoy the garden and below ground parking.
Bravo! Will fit in within the other classic buildings along Fifth Avenue.
Can I nominate 785 Fifth adjacent to the Sherry Netherland Hotel as the next one to
be replaced? Nothing special about that one either.
I used to work for a very famous dermatologist in thay building. One day, as I stepped outside, there were some paparazzi who looked at me quite intently before some realization hit them. I was not their intended target but Monica Lewinsky was! She was visiting someone in the building after news broke about a certain affair.
Close, but no cigar?
The original crime was tearing down the Gilded Age mansions that lined Fifth Avenue.
of course, none of could afford to live there, but what beautiful streetscape for ALL of us.
they could have changed into multifamily or museums (like the Frick , Carnegie, Warburg mansions ARE)
at least so many of the replacements are nice PREWARS – the ones that made it to the 1960s should have been preserved.
and yes, love replacing the newer ones with grand apt. homes by RAMSA, etc.
I wonder if the white bricks – usually co-ops along the same Parkside have considered redoing their facades in limestone.
Imagine it would be hard to get everyone to agree to that.
800 Fifth – the tower is bland and bad. no tears. The base was pretty good – and ironically I sorta liked the back rounded terrace facade. is the park area a bonus given when built, so cannot be built on?
It’s a better looking and more majestic building than the existing, however the ground floor could be a little more important and the front entrance on Fifth Avenue is really not elegant or majestic in keeping with the rest of the building.