685 First Avenue

Richard Meier & Partners in collaboration with Developer Sheldon Solow’s East River Realty Development is pleased to celebrate the design and construction of the new 685 First Avenue tower in New York City.

The 42-story, 460-foot high residential tower, Meier’s tallest in New York City, will rise just south of the United Nations Headquarters in Manhattan overlooking the East River. The 685 First Avenue site occupies a 32,365 SF parcel between East 39th and East 40th Streets along the West side of First Avenue. It will be home to 556 rental and condominium apartments and feature panoramic views of the river and the city.

Minimalistic in form, the design of this predominantly glass building evidences great consideration for materiality, lightness, transparency and order. Its taut curtain wall is incised with modular subdivisions and articulated with selective metal panel elements in the form of balconies, canopies and corners. A distinguishing feature—an architectural cut-out at the 27th and 28th floors—will exist in dialogue with the building’s context and be visible from across the East River.

At street level, the project is designed to promote urban activity by providing retail space along First Avenue. The expansive glazing of the grand, double-height residential lobby has a direct visual and physical connection with the surrounding context, the future public park across First Avenue and the East River. The light colored materials rely on principles of light, order and geometry to create a modern and open space.

Residents of the tower’s 408 rental units and 148 condominiums will have access to distinctive amenities located on the second floor, including an indoor swimming pool, fitness center, children’s playroom, tablet/work room, game room, private dining room, and lounge. These amenities and public spaces come alive through a rich palette of colors and textures, and tactile materials. All living room and bedrooms in the building are configured to take advantage of the outstanding views. The light palette of the interiors—whites, grays and earth tones—complement the smooth and textured surfaces of wood, plaster and glass.

Window bays and modules are maximized in size to full floor-to-floor heights, altogether eliminating any horizontal or vertical shadow panels. Each module is subdivided further proportionally and geometrically into a system of operable window panels, joints and reveals, and mullion profiles that keep the façade open and elegant. The black glass unifies the façade, provides privacy for residents, and modulates the reflections of the context.

685 First Avenue will join 18 Richard Meier & Partners Architects designs for sites in New York City, including the iconic Perry Street & Charles Street Condominiums, the Westbeth Artists’ Housing in the West Village, the Aye Simon Reading Room at the Guggenheim Museum, and proposed but unbuilt plans for the World Trade Center and Madison Square Garden Site Redevelopment.