A really beautiful building, its shape is very powerless and its dark glass façade was far ahead of its time, one of my favorite buildings in New York City.
In the mid-1970s I worked for Sony on the building's 43rd floor. Kiler view lookingi north, you could easily see the Tappen Zee Bridge across the Hudson miles north of the city. There were originally escalators on the street level leading down to a lower level that I don't believe was ever occupied; eventually the escalators vanished and the sidewalk paved over. The building also had a cameo in the first Superman movie where Supes collars a criminal using suction cups to climb its exterior. (Boy, you really got some mileage out of the building's CGI footage, I think it was 3/4 of your video.)
It must’ve been awesome working on the 43rd floor of that building. Then again, working for Sony in the '70s was probably awesome no matter where you were. I’m guessing they haven’t had offices there in ages, right? But it totally made sense, since the building has kind of a Japanese vibe to it. As for the CGI, I’m glad it’s doing its job, since that’s the hardest part (and honestly the most fun part, too,...)
Truth is, as I say in the video, they are the ideal couple, the yin and yang of sloped buildings. And by the way, I'm really happy to see you here, and that your comment got posted! :-)
He he he. For the bad guys, this is like the moon, you know. But at the very least, we’ll have to celebrate that you’re in the ‘visible cycle’ and enjoy it until they make you invisible once again.
There is also the Chase Tower in Chicago which is the first and tallest of this kind and there is the Sompo Japan Building in Tokyo. All four have a quite similar, chape, size and were build during the late 60s/ early 70s.
The Chase Tower (C F Murphy, 1969) here in Chicago has a similar form. The large base was a response to Illinois’ banking laws at the time which did not allow branch banks. So, the banking floor and mezzanine were huge to house all of the tellers and account executives. The upper floors were smaller to accommodate the commercial rental market at the time.
You worked directly for Mr. Solow? Wow, that must have been something, because (at least from what outsiders could see) he seemed like a really unique character.
This is beautifully thought out and produced, have subscribed🙏. Have been a fan of this building since I used to pass it every day in the late 70s, so delighted to learn more about it. Would love to know what the black x’s on the sides represent, are they structural or mechanicals of some sort?
Thanks a bunch, Greg. Now, regarding those three X-shaped structures on the north and south faces of the building, they're essentially structural reinforcements. But, of course, this being Bunshaft, instead of burying them within the structure, he opted to showcase them, turning them into a signature design element.
For her age... Grace wore it better!😂 Great video. Isolating the building gives a bit more perspective. As a NYer, many striking features can be lost to the density of the city. Gets garbled.
I remember this skyscraper looking so tall 2010 now it looks like a little skyscraper blended in with the rest and also why did you change the voice sound did more people prefer this one?
When I saw this video my immediate reaction was this is the building on 42nd street and 6th avenue. The Grace building. I did not know the Solow building of the same design existed. Which one of them came first?
They look very similar, but as I mention in the video, the Grace is more 'feminine' and this one, which is more angular and with bolder colors, is the 'masculine' one. They are the ideal couple.
I agree with some of your sentiment, this was a puffery piece that sounded like a real estate brokers ad. My ex worked in that building and it was the CORPORATE headquarters for Avon, so I doubt that cosmetic sales were occurring there. Yes, unless you're situated on the north side of the building you can't see the park or the Tappan Zee Bridge. How can anyone mention this building in past movies, without noting the first Superman movie, or the unusual building number on the sidewalk that marks the edifice!!!
Ive yet to see a single building designed in the 70’s that is timeless and beautiful. It’s ugly and utterly without any charm at all. I’d say tear it down but they’d probably just throw up some ugly new glass monstrosity.
@SaintGBar22 Re: 70's timeless & beautiful, for your consideration, a personal favorite of mine: Pennzoil Place in Houston. Two trapezoids mirroring each other with a 10' void between them, culminating in a 45° angle roofline which itself is perpendicular to the 45° roofline from the ground which creates the lobby. And ALL of it sheathed in dark bronze that looks like the oil that built it.
I like the building. I like highrises with dark facades or windows.
A really beautiful building, its shape is very powerless and its dark glass façade was far ahead of its time, one of my favorite buildings in New York City.
One of the great gems of New York City
In the mid-1970s I worked for Sony on the building's 43rd floor. Kiler view lookingi north, you could easily see the Tappen Zee Bridge across the Hudson miles north of the city.
There were originally escalators on the street level leading down to a lower level that I don't believe was ever occupied; eventually the escalators vanished and the sidewalk paved over.
The building also had a cameo in the first Superman movie where Supes collars a criminal using suction cups to climb its exterior.
(Boy, you really got some mileage out of the building's CGI footage, I think it was 3/4 of your video.)
It must’ve been awesome working on the 43rd floor of that building. Then again, working for Sony in the '70s was probably awesome no matter where you were. I’m guessing they haven’t had offices there in ages, right? But it totally made sense, since the building has kind of a Japanese vibe to it. As for the CGI, I’m glad it’s doing its job, since that’s the hardest part (and honestly the most fun part, too,...)
I worked there in the later 1970’s. I thought it was called the Avon Building.
Kinda reminds me of the Grace Building across from Bryant Park on 42nd Street
Truth is, as I say in the video, they are the ideal couple, the yin and yang of sloped buildings. And by the way, I'm really happy to see you here, and that your comment got posted! :-)
@
Thanks my Friend, looks like I'm good, for now 🤣
He he he. For the bad guys, this is like the moon, you know. But at the very least, we’ll have to celebrate that you’re in the ‘visible cycle’ and enjoy it until they make you invisible once again.
There is also the Chase Tower in Chicago which is the first and tallest of this kind and there is the Sompo Japan Building in Tokyo. All four have a quite similar, chape, size and were build during the late 60s/ early 70s.
Loved the 70's design vibe when I first laid eyes on this structure.....'til I saw it squeezed & cramped between concrete blocks...
Nicely presented/edited….video has a lot of class and visual appeal! (new subscriber, Virginia)
I'm so glad you like it. Thank you very much, John.
One of my favorite NYC buildings.
Undeniably, it has a certain something.
The Chase Tower (C F Murphy, 1969) here in Chicago has a similar form. The large base was a response to Illinois’ banking laws at the time which did not allow branch banks. So, the banking floor and mezzanine were huge to house all of the tellers and account executives. The upper floors were smaller to accommodate the commercial rental market at the time.
They’re definitely of the same style, but I didn’t know the history of the Chase Tower; very interesting.
@@Magnitudx it was originally called The First National Bank building
@@Magnitudx The Chase Building in Chicago looks and functions much better than the Manhattan lookalike.
Well-scripted and edited. I like how your narration matches the tempo of the music.
Yours is the kind of comment that I think we all love to read. Thank you so much!
RIP Sheldon SOLOW my former boss. I use to work in that building at a French bank back in 98-99 and other businesses in that building.
You worked directly for Mr. Solow? Wow, that must have been something, because (at least from what outsiders could see) he seemed like a really unique character.
This is beautifully thought out and produced, have subscribed🙏. Have been a fan of this building since I used to pass it every day in the late 70s, so delighted to learn more about it. Would love to know what the black x’s on the sides represent, are they structural or mechanicals of some sort?
Thanks a bunch, Greg. Now, regarding those three X-shaped structures on the north and south faces of the building, they're essentially structural reinforcements. But, of course, this being Bunshaft, instead of burying them within the structure, he opted to showcase them, turning them into a signature design element.
Looks like SOMPO headquarters in Shinjuku tokyo
For her age... Grace wore it better!😂
Great video. Isolating the building gives a bit more perspective. As a NYer, many striking features can be lost to the density of the city. Gets garbled.
Reminds me of a similar building in Chicago
You mean the Chase Building; which is obviously the Better-looking Twin.
@thebabbler8867 that's the one. I've been by the one in Chicago and New York.
I remember this skyscraper looking so tall 2010 now it looks like a little skyscraper blended in with the rest and also why did you change the voice sound did more people prefer this one?
It seems that yes, this younger voice is more appealing than the clone of mine :-D
When I saw this video my immediate reaction was this is the building on 42nd street and 6th avenue. The Grace building. I did not know the Solow building of the same design existed. Which one of them came first?
If I remember correctly, the Solow began construction several years before the Grace, but they were finished around the same time.
Wasn't Chandels office there too?
Oh, right! I had totally forgotten about that... :-)
This building is simply a Walmart version of the more admirable Chase Building in Chicago.
Isn't that the WR Grace building?
They look very similar, but as I mention in the video, the Grace is more 'feminine' and this one, which is more angular and with bolder colors, is the 'masculine' one. They are the ideal couple.
Its design was influenced by the Chase building in Chicago. Its not that special, although the black windows are gorgeous.
ugh I hate it every time I walk by there, same as Grace
seven and a half minutes for 18 seconds of information, written and performed by AI?
Written and created by a human. That’s why I’m sorry you didn’t like it.
Definitely edited with the help of AI. Those animated headshots are creepy af 😂
Yes, that's true, the portraits are indeed animated by AI. And yes, they're a bit creepy, but I find that funny, what can I say.
I think that it is an ugly building and it blocks all the southern sunlight on the Plaza Hotel. The new towers on Billionairs row are also ugly.
I agree with some of your sentiment, this was a puffery piece that sounded like a real estate brokers ad. My ex worked in that building and it was the CORPORATE headquarters for Avon, so I doubt that cosmetic sales were occurring there. Yes, unless you're situated on the north side of the building you can't see the park or the Tappan Zee Bridge. How can anyone mention this building in past movies, without noting the first Superman movie, or the unusual building number on the sidewalk that marks the edifice!!!
Ive yet to see a single building designed in the 70’s that is timeless and beautiful. It’s ugly and utterly without any charm at all. I’d say tear it down but they’d probably just throw up some ugly new glass monstrosity.
@SaintGBar22 Re: 70's timeless & beautiful, for your consideration, a personal favorite of mine: Pennzoil Place in Houston. Two trapezoids mirroring each other with a 10' void between them, culminating in a 45° angle roofline which itself is perpendicular to the 45° roofline from the ground which creates the lobby. And ALL of it sheathed in dark bronze that looks like the oil that built it.
I love modernism but this is literaly hideous
@danlilly1790 Beautiful building, indeed. Well, more than a beautiful building, I’d say: beautiful design.
Remarkably ugly. Architectural genius? No.