New York, USA
When completed in 2020, One Vanderbilt will be the second-tallest office building in New York City at 1,401 ft. to the tip of its spire – exceeding the original height of the Empire State Building by 151 ft., but still shorter than its later added antenna at 1,451 ft. Erected on a full-block site across from Grand Central Terminal, One Vanderbilt is the first of the 21st-century towers envisioned by the Department of City Planning’s East Midtown Rezoning, which incentivized new buildings to replace aging structures by allowing for an increase of the allowable floor area from 15 to 30 FAR through the purchase and transfer of air rights and through adding public infrastructure improvements. It is the first major office building in this district in over 50 years.
The stretched pyramidal massing of the tower is composed of four interlocking volumes, revealed at the top of the structure. The base slopes away from Grand Central to reveal its historic façade. An indoor-outdoor observation deck, which will platform at 1,020 ft. (311 m.) above street level, offering spectacular Midtown views.