550 Madison Avenue Garden by Snøhetta – Iconic Urban Oasis in Midtown, New York City

Located in the heart of Midtown Manhattan, the 550 Madison Avenue Garden, designed by Snøhetta, marks the first major new green space in the area in decades. This transformative project accompanies the repositioning of the iconic 550 Madison Avenue office tower, New York City’s youngest historic landmark, reimagining its presence in the urban fabric while creating a lush public sanctuary.

Spanning over 21,300 square feet, the garden replaces a former mid-block passageway and is nearly twice the size of previous public spaces at the site. The design integrates five distinct garden sections—upland, lowland, and sheltered areas—each offering unique plantings and immersive landscapes inspired by Northeastern mountain vegetation. With 48 trees, 200 shrubs, 6,300 bulb plants, and 10,000 herbaceous understory plants, the garden features seasonal blooms from February through October, delivering a vibrant palette of colors from pinks and purples to blues and yellows.

The space is thoughtfully equipped for public enjoyment, featuring abundant seating, gender-inclusive restrooms, and three food and beverage kiosks. At its core lies a tranquil water feature, anchoring the garden while offering a serene retreat from the city’s bustle. Plant selections include Mountain Rosebay, Smooth Hydrangea, Bottlebrush Buckeye, and a curated mix of Yellowwood, Sweetbay Magnolia, and River Birch trees, alongside regional native species such as Solomon’s Seal, Coral Bell, and Sword Fern.

Snøhetta’s design philosophy emphasizes accessibility, openness, and connection to nature. “550 Madison builds on our previous Midtown projects, infusing the public realm with wonder and freedom,” says Craig Dykers, Founding Partner of Snøhetta. Michelle Delk, Partner and Landscape Architect, adds, “The new garden transforms the streets surrounding 550 Madison into an accessible, lavishly vegetated, and highly visible public space, honoring Philip Johnson’s original architectural legacy.”

The garden is part of a larger six-year repositioning of the 41-story, 850,000-square-foot tower, originally built as AT&T headquarters in 1984. Olayan America spearheaded the renovation, introducing wellness initiatives, sustainability programs, and over 30,000 square feet of luxury amenities. Highlights include a Rockwell Group-designed club level, a state-of-the-art fitness center, and a Gensler-designed lobby featuring sunlight-filled spaces, bronze mesh, rust-colored leather, and a dramatic 65-foot arched-glass window. The lobby also houses Alicja Kwade’s “Solid Sky” sculpture, a 24-ton quartzite sphere suspended within the vaulted triple-height ceiling, becoming the building’s striking centerpiece.

By combining landscape innovation, historic preservation, and urban activation, 550 Madison Avenue Garden sets a new benchmark for public green spaces in Manhattan, offering both tenants and visitors a lush, serene, and inspiring environment at the core of New York City.

All Photographs are works of Barrett Doherty