Foster + Partners' 50 Hudson Yards Debuts in New York City

The newly opened 50 Hudson Yards, a 78-story office tower designed by Foster + Partners, has become a unique addition to New York's skyline. The tower spans an entire city block, fitting seamlessly into the urban grid while standing out as a distinctive landmark.

With nearly 3 million square feet of flexible office space and a variety of retail options and public spaces at ground level, this building serves as a gateway to the dynamic neighbourhood of Hudson Yards. Commuters will appreciate the convenient underground connection to the nearby subway station. The tower's LEED Gold design underscores its role as a crucial component of the Hudson Yards district.

 

Norman Foster, Founder and Executive Chairman of Foster + Partners, said: “Our project is a response to the site within Hudson Yards, but its geometry also respects the wider context of the New York street grid. The innovative elevator strategy and unique space planning provide prime users of the tower with their own lobbies, exclusive access and separate identities. Column-free floor plates and generous ceiling heights provide high-quality workspaces with maximum flexibility for change in the future. A purpose-built tunnel connects the building directly to the subway while the lobby floors are connected by a delicate feature stair from which one can enjoy both views of Hudson Yards and the large-scale work of art by Frank Stella.”

The office tower has made a positive impact on the city by introducing new shopping and dining options, ample bike parking, and convenient transportation connections at ground level. The bustling public entrance areas are enlivened by two grand art pieces created by Frank Stella, paying tribute to the city's artistic legacy and inviting people into the building.

The design of the building promotes seamless and efficient movement, with designated lobbies and exclusive elevators for key tenants. Visitors will enter the tower through vibrant street-level entrances and navigate from north to south. This building is innovative in its use of conventional, double-decker, and twin elevators, a first for a commercial office building in New York. The floor-to-ceiling glass walls and ample ceiling height allow for an abundance of natural light to fill the office spaces, promoting a positive environment for employees.

Nigel Dancey, Head of Studio, Foster + Partners, said: “By minimising the building’s core, we have been able to provide unique lobby spaces for anchor tenants such as Meta and BlackRock. The building’s primary structure has also been pushed outwards to create column-free floorplates which support collaborative ways of working and can be easily reconfigured. The careful planning of the core and building section also allows for a range of servicing options which futureproof the building.”  

 

The tower boasts breathtaking panoramic views of Manhattan, with the Hudson River to its west and the iconic Empire State Building to its east. On the 32nd floor, it has a communal area that boasts multiple meeting and event spaces for various purposes. At the top of the tower, a domed stainless-steel lighting installation, crafted in partnership with Jamie Carpenter, adds a touch of elegance to the building. It reflects the light during the day and lights up the building at night. The building's structural elements are covered in Viscount White stone, which was meticulously selected for this project.

 

James Barnes, Senior Partner, Foster + Partners, added: “We are delighted to see 50 Hudson Yards opening on schedule, despite the global impact of the Covid-19 pandemic. This is a testament to the hard work of the whole team whose collaborative efforts delivered this landmark project. We look forward to seeing the first tenants move into the building, later this year.”

 

Press release courtesy of Foster + Partners
Photos ©Nigel Young / Foster + Partners