Architecture firm Snøhetta has revealed its plans to overhaul the New York skyscraper designed in the postmodern style by Philip Johnson and John Burgee, which involve replacing the street frontage but retaining its recognisable classical pediment.
The 647-foot (197-metre) tower at 550 Madison – formerly known as the AT&T Building and then the Sony Tower – will receive a makeover that will update its public, retail and office spaces.
Snøhetta proposes transforming its “fortress-like base” with an undulated curtain wall of translucent glass, opening up the lower levels so passers-by can see in.
“While the recognisable top of the tower will remain a fixture of the New York City skyline as it has since its completion in 1984,” said the studio, “the new design will transform the base into an inviting street front, extending the lively activity of Madison Avenue further south to 55th Street.”
“From the street, the reconceived facade dramatically highlights the multi-story arched entry while revealing the craftsmanship of the building’s existing steel structure,” the firm added.
The building, which is regarded as the first postmodern skyscraper, has sat vacant since electronics giant Sony left a year and a half ago.
It was originally designed for single-tenant use, and the interior updates are intended to modernise the offices and help lease the floors to multiple companies. More retail and restaurant spaces, and other amenities, will be included to help entice occupants.
The outdoor space beside 550 Madison will also be opened up, doubling the amount of publicly accessible space on the site.
An annex building will be removed from the passageway connecting 55th and 56th Streets behind the tower, and the area will be planted with seasonal foliage to create a place for eating lunch or relaxing.
“Snøhetta’s design approach stitches the life of the building back into the street,” said the firm.
The building will also be fitted with a dedicated outdoor air ventilation system (DOAS), which will supply clean fresh air to the offices and consume less energy than a typical mechanical ventilation system.
Johnson was best known for his modernist buildings like the 1940s Glass House in Connecticut, but later adopted postmodernism after partnering with Burgee from 1967.
They gave the 550 Madison tower granite cladding and a “Chippendale” roof line, while brass and marble finishes featured on the interior – marking a distinct shift from Midtown’s glass and steel skyscrapers at the time.
Snøhetta has offices in Oslo and New York. The firm’s work in the US includes the recent transformation of Times Square and an extension to the San Francisco Museum of Modern Art.
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