731 Lexington Avenue

César Pelli · Midtown Manhattan · 2005

731 Lexington Avenue
Iconic

A shimmering ripple in the sky that transforms stainless steel into the fluidity of silk.

Skyscraper in New York City.

Major PracticeIconic
Architect
César Pelli
Year
2005
Coordinates
40.7618°, -73.9680°
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Visitor Guide

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Visitor Tip

Walk around to the south facade to see the flat face, which Gehry designed to provide a geometric contrast to the undulating ripples.

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Best Photo Spot

Nassau Street, looking northeast during the morning to see the sun reflecting off the 'angel hair' finish of the steel.

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Access & Hours

Residential floors are private; the ground-level public plazas and the facade are viewable to the public.

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Insider Note

The top three floors are not residential; they are 'facade only' to hide the building's massive mechanical systems.

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Time Needed

1 hour

Design & Structure

Ruled SurfaceParametric SurfaceFreeform
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Computational Process

Gehry Technologies' Digital Project software was used to create nearly 90 design options and rationalize the steel skin into ruled surfaces.

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Materiality

Stainless steel panels with a 'honeycomb' internal support and an 'angel hair' finish that prevents harsh solar glare.

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Structural Innovation

The facade functions as a complex rain screen; all 2,400 glazed panels are normal to the ground plane to simplify installation.

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Frequently Asked Questions

Who designed 731 Lexington Avenue?+

731 Lexington Avenue was designed by César Pelli and completed in 2005. It is located in Midtown Manhattan, United States.

Where is 731 Lexington Avenue located?+

731 Lexington Avenue is located in Midtown Manhattan, United States. Its coordinates are 40.7618°, -73.9680°.

When was 731 Lexington Avenue built?+

731 Lexington Avenue was completed in 2005. It was designed by César Pelli.

Can I visit 731 Lexington Avenue?+

731 Lexington Avenue is a real building in Midtown Manhattan that can be viewed from the outside. Check local information for interior access and visiting hours. Use the Parametric Atlas walking tour feature to plan a route that includes this building.