“Acquired for $84 million in 1984”, that’s where our story about 599 Lexington Avenue begins. This 653-foot-tall skyscraper stands in Midtown Manhattan. It is a testament to architectural vision and financial ambition.
599 Lexington Avenue is more than just an office building. It’s a landmark. Mortimer Zuckerman and Boston Properties developed it. It was their first project in New York City. The building opened in 1986 without an anchor tenant.
Edward Larrabee Barnes and John MY Lee designed 599 Lexington Avenue. Their creation offers a contextual partner to the Citigroup Center nearby. The building has 50 stories. It also has 24 elevators to whisk people up and down.
Inside the lobby of 599 Lexington Avenue, you can find Frank Stella’s “Salto nel Mio Sacco”. This artwork adds a touch of culture to the corporate environment. The building also provides direct access to the Lexington Avenue/51st Street subway station. You can catch the 6, <6>, E, and M trains here. A sloped glass canopy marks the station entry.
In 2016, FXFowle Architects remodeled the lobby of 599 Lexington Avenue. Bruce Fowle, a protégé of original designer Edward Larrabee Barnes, led the project. The renovation improved the lighting for the Stella artwork. Pentagram enhanced the way-finding graphics.
599 Lexington Avenue has earned accolades for its design. It received the University of Virginia’s Thomas Jefferson Award for Architecture in 1981. The building also won an International Lighting Design Award in 2017.
Many prominent firms call 599 Lexington Avenue home. A&O Shearman occupies multiple floors. Other tenants include Cowen Group and K&L Gates. Welsh, Carson, Anderson & Stowe also maintain offices here. You’ll find Reed Smith and Commonwealth Bank as tenants too. Atreaus Capital, Cogent Partners, and Istithmar World share space on the 38th floor. Cornerstone Research occupies several floors. Retromer Therapeutics is on the 47th floor.
599 Lexington Avenue stands as a symbol of New York City’s architectural evolution. Its design, art, and tenants contribute to its unique identity. It’s a place where business and art converge. The building continues to evolve. It adapts to the changing needs of its occupants and the city.