The ten story limestone podium, capped by a carved, reductive cornice, reinforces the spatial definition of the street while its tri-partite vertical layering and rhythmic masonry piers establish a scale and proportion sympathetic to the neighboring historic buildings. Borrowing a compositional device from McKim Mead & White’s Tiffany Building near by, an arcade-like four story ‘giant order’ of piers forms a gracious base at the street level with grand storefront windows befitting Fifth Avenue. Windows, marquees and abstract cornices of matte finish stainless steel counterpoint the warm hue of the stone.

The tower, set back from the street and rising from the 10th floor, is comprised of a series of serriform precast concrete piers between which are deeply recessed windows. Specially developed vertically faceted window assemblies accentuate views from the tower to the street animating the facade and creating a unique profile as they wrap the corners of the building at the residential levels.

Capping the tower is an inverted crown of textured stainless steel panels which conceal the mechanical penthouses. Illuminated at night by concealed up-lights the crown engages in and reinforces a longstanding tradition of iconic tops on New York City skyscrapers.

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