Honoring the limestone material palette of Midtown Manhattan, 712 Fifth Avenue rises 52 stories above two landmarked buildings, achieving a strength of presence through crafted, geometric detailing.
Deferring to the Coty Building (1871) and the Rizzoli Bookstore (1908), both New York City landmarks on one of Fifth Avenue’s best preserved blockfronts, 712 Fifth Avenue is set back 50 feet from the street to assure visual autonomy. The office tower presented a particular challenge in the need to preserve the existing character of the street front while maximize the zoning potential of the site by expanding 52 stories. A new façade was built next to the historic façades to be compatible with the historic character of the blockfront while also filling the gap in the street wall.
The building is clad in Indiana Limestone and white Vermont marble, with bronze medallions, polished black granite, and thermal green granite accents. Light and shadow are manipulated with deep recesses on the shaft and crown, providing depth to the walls and liberating the top plaque from the corners. The base is connected an atrium fitted with René Lalique architectural glass panels, incorporated into a retail store, housed in the Rizzoli and Coty buildings. Since the 1990 completion, KPF has redesigned the lobby to provide tenants and guests with an elegant, first-class experience fit for the modern day.
