In 1980, a unique structure arose on the corner of East 48th Street and Third Avenue. 767 Third Avenue, a 40-story office building, was a brainchild of Melvyn Kaufman and designed by the firm then known as Fox & Fowle. 767 Third Avenue stood out with its curved brick and glass facade. This design was quite unusual for its time, a bold statement amidst the more traditional Manhattan skyline. The original design called for a curved glass wall in the lobby, mirroring the building’s exterior. However, the technology for large, curved insulated glass panels wasn’t available yet. So, the architects created the curve using many small panes of glass framed by oak wood. This design choice, while elegant, ultimately limited the natural light in the lobby.
767 Third Avenue was more than just an office building. Kaufman envisioned it as a public space, a place for interaction and engagement. He incorporated whimsical elements into the building’s design, reflecting his playful personality. A giant chessboard, reportedly the world’s largest active one, hangs on the adjacent building’s wall, overlooking a pocket park. Tenants can submit moves via an app, and the game is played weekly by maintenance workers moving the pieces with a cherry picker. Antique cars, a stagecoach and a 1929 Ford truck, are parked in the plaza. Steel footprints line the sidewalk, adding an unexpected touch of whimsy to the urban landscape. These quirky details showcased Kaufman’s belief that even large structures could have a sense of levity.
Decades later, Jonathan Kaufman Iger, Kaufman’s heir, sought to modernize 767 Third Avenue. He brought back the original architects, now known as FXCollaborative, to renovate the lobby. This time, technology had caught up with Kaufman’s original vision. The small glass panes and oak frames were replaced with the floor-to-ceiling curved glass wall he had always envisioned. The renovation also included a new terrazzo floor, a sleek concrete reception desk, and updated elevator cabs. The exterior plaza also got a facelift, with new pavers and built-in seating.
767 Third Avenue stands as a testament to Melvyn Kaufman’s unique vision. It is a building that embraces both functionality and whimsy. It showcases the evolution of architectural possibilities, from the limitations of the 1980s to the innovations of the 21st century. It’s a building that invites you to not only work, but to engage, to play, and to appreciate the unexpected within the bustling city.