Alternatively known as 1251 Avenue of the Americas the Exxon Building stands tall. It is a testament to New York City’s architectural evolution. Today we will delve into the story of this iconic skyscraper. We’ll uncover some fascinating details about its history and design.
The Exxon Building is part of the Rockefeller Center expansion. This expansion took place in the 1960s and 1970s. It was a period of significant growth and change for the area. The expansion was dubbed the XYZ Buildings. This moniker reflects the buildings’ heights.
Wallace Harrison of Harrison and Abramovitz designed the Exxon Building. Harrison was the Rockefeller family’s architect. His firm shaped much of the city’s skyline. The building’s plans were first drawn in 1963. It marked the beginning of a new era for Rockefeller Center.
The Exxon Building is the tallest of the XYZ Buildings. It stands at 750 feet with 54 stories. This earned it the “X” designation. Construction finished in 1971 making it the first completed building in the expansion.
The “Y” building is 1221 Avenue of the Americas. It was completed in 1973. It is the second tallest at 674 feet with 51 stories. The “Z” Building is 1211 Avenue of the Americas. This building is the shortest and youngest. It has 45 stories and stands 592 feet tall.
Despite its height the Exxon Building can be hard to spot. Other buildings over 500 feet surround it. This makes its presence on the skyline subtle. It’s about the same height as the tallest buildings in Boston or Minneapolis.
Originally the Exxon Building served as Exxon’s headquarters. In 1989 Exxon moved its headquarters to Irving, Texas. They sold the building to Mitsui Real Estate Development Co. Ltd. in 1986 for $610 million. High costs led to Exxon’s departure from New York.
The Exxon Building’s architecture is in the International style. It features a simple cuboid design. There is almost no ornamentation. The facade has vertical stripes of glass and limestone. Machines clean the glass stripes sliding down the facade.
A seven-floor base wraps around the building’s western portion. A sunken plaza with a two-tier pool and fountains faces Sixth Avenue. “Out to Lunch” a bronze statue by John Seward Johnson II stands in the plaza.
Inside the atrium hangs a replica of a Pablo Picasso tapestry. Picasso created the original for the ballet Mercure. The original tapestry is in the Musée National d’Art Moderne in Paris. The replica was made specifically for the Exxon Building.
In May 2013 the Exxon Building received LEED Silver certification. This recognized its environmental sustainability. It shows a commitment to green building practices.
The Exxon Building remains a significant part of Rockefeller Center. Its story reflects the changing landscape of New York City. It stands as a testament to architectural innovation and urban development.