520 Fifth Avenue

{{Short description|Under-construction building in Manhattan, New York}}

{{Infobox building

| name = 520 Fifth Avenue

| alternate_names =

| image = 520 Fifth Avenue Photomontage.jpg

| classification = Mixed-use

| caption = Artist's impression

| location =

| status = Under construction

| mapframe-wikidata = yes

| coordinates = {{Coord|40|45|16|N|73|58|50|W|region:US-NY|display=inline,title}}

| start_date = 2022

| est_completion = 2025

| topped_out_date =

| completion_date =

| closing_date =

| cost =

| height = {{convert|1001|ft}}

| floors = 76

| architectural =

| tip =

| antenna_spire =

| material =

| size =

| floor_area =

| architect = Kohn Pedersen Fox

| developer = Mickey Rabina

| references =

}}

520 Fifth Avenue is a mixed-use supertall building under construction at Fifth Avenue and 43rd Street in the Midtown Manhattan neighborhood of New York City. The building occupies the former site of three structures. Mickey Rabina is developing the building, and architectural firm Kohn Pedersen Fox designed the structure and serves as architect of record. The interior design is by Charles & Co.

The site of the skyscraper was formerly occupied by three buildings: 516 and 518 Fifth Avenue, and an office building at the 520 Fifth Avenue address. Aby Rosen of RFR Realty, who owned 516 and 518 Fifth Avenue, unsuccessfully attempted to redevelop that site before the Great Recession of the 2000s. RFR and Tahl-Propp Equities tried to redevelop the site again in the late 2000s, and Thor Equities tried to build a 71-story building there before selling the site to joint venture between Ceruzzi Properties and SMI USA in 2015. Rabina bought the sites in 2019 and filed plans for a skyscraper there in 2021. {{As of|2024}}, construction is expected to be finished in 2025.

History

=Attempted redevelopment efforts=

The site of the skyscraper was formerly occupied by three buildings: 516 and 518 Fifth Avenue, and an office building at the 520 Fifth Avenue address.{{cite news |last1=Levere |first1=Jane L. |title=The Heart of Fifth Avenue Shopping Is Edging to the South |url=https://www.nytimes.com/2012/09/05/realestate/commercial/the-heart-of-fifth-avenue-shopping-edges-to-the-south.html |access-date=July 12, 2022 |work=The New York Times |date=September 4, 2012 |archive-date=October 11, 2020 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20201011104218/https://www.nytimes.com/2012/09/05/realestate/commercial/the-heart-of-fifth-avenue-shopping-edges-to-the-south.html |url-status=live }}{{cite news |last1=Rubinstein |first1=Dana |title=Aby Rosen Slapped with Suit for Breach of Agreement |url=https://observer.com/2010/04/aby-rosen-slapped-with-suit-for-breach-of-agreement/ |access-date=July 12, 2022 |work=Observer |date=April 1, 2010 |archive-date=July 12, 2022 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20220712225818/https://observer.com/2010/04/aby-rosen-slapped-with-suit-for-breach-of-agreement/ |url-status=live }} Before the Great Recession of the 2000s, Aby Rosen owned 516 and 518 Fifth Avenue. Through his firm, RFR, Rosen at one time intended to partner with Hines to develop 516 Fifth Avenue into a mixed-use skyscraper designed by Pelli Clarke Pelli, though these plans were never realized.{{cite news |last1=Arak |first1=Joey |title=It Happened One Weekend: Fifth Avenue's New Skyscraper |url=https://ny.curbed.com/2008/9/8/10560534/it-happened-one-weekend-fifth-avenues-new-skyscraper |access-date=July 12, 2022 |work=Curbed NY |date=September 8, 2008 |language=en |archive-date=July 12, 2022 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20220712235054/https://ny.curbed.com/2008/9/8/10560534/it-happened-one-weekend-fifth-avenues-new-skyscraper |url-status=live }}

Later, RFR entered into a joint venture with Tahl-Propp Equities, owner of 520 Fifth Avenue, planning to either redevelop the site occupied by the three structures, or to sell the three buildings to another developer or investor. RFR and Tahl-Propp entered into the deal to redevelop or sell the composite site in 2007. After a legal dispute between RFR and Tahl-Propp, RFR purchased 516 and 518 Fifth Avenue, paying approximately $10 million for each building.{{cite news |last1=Weiss |first1=Lois |title=Aby Rosen Buying 522 Fifth Avenue Retail Space to Convert to Office |url=https://commercialobserver.com/2021/05/aby-rosens-rfr-buying-522-fifth-avenue-retail-space-to-convert-to-office/ |access-date=July 12, 2022 |work=Commercial Observer |date=May 11, 2021 |archive-date=July 12, 2022 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20220712232016/https://commercialobserver.com/2021/05/aby-rosens-rfr-buying-522-fifth-avenue-retail-space-to-convert-to-office/ |url-status=live }} RFR did not redevelop the site, and Thor Equities began the process of purchasing the buildings from Rosen's firm in 2011,{{cite news |last1=Karmin |first1=Craig |title=Fifth Avenue's New Anchor |url=https://www.wsj.com/articles/SB10001424052970204083204577078442711492130 |access-date=July 12, 2022 |work=Wall Street Journal |date=December 5, 2011}} ultimately finalizing its purchase in 2012.{{cite news |last1=Geiger |first1=Daniel Geiger |title=Thor Closes on $130 Million 5th Avenue Buy |url=https://commercialobserver.com/2012/03/thor-closes-on-130-million-5th-avenue-buy/ |access-date=July 12, 2022 |work=Commercial Observer |date=March 13, 2012 |archive-date=July 12, 2022 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20220712232737/https://commercialobserver.com/2012/03/thor-closes-on-130-million-5th-avenue-buy/ |url-status=live }}{{cite web |last=Bockmann |first=Rich |date=October 2, 2024 |title=Why under-the-radar developer Mickey Rabina is building a supertall at 520 Fifth Avenue |url=https://therealdeal.com/magazine/october-2024/standing-supertall/ |access-date=October 5, 2024 |website=The Real Deal}} An image of a six-story retail component for the site was released in February 2014.{{cite news |last1=Fedak |first1=Nikolai |title=Revealed: 520 Fifth Avenue – |url=https://newyorkyimby.com/2014/02/revealed-520-fifth-avenue.html |work=New York YIMBY |date=February 10, 2014 |access-date=July 25, 2022 |archive-date=July 25, 2022 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20220725203830/https://newyorkyimby.com/2014/02/revealed-520-fifth-avenue.html |url-status=live }} In December 2014, Thor filed to build a 71-story, 920-foot skyscraper on a three-story retail podium.{{cite news |last1=Fedak |first1=Nikolai |title=Permits Filed: 520 Fifth Avenue to Stand 920 Feet Tall |url=https://newyorkyimby.com/2014/12/permits-filed-520-5th-avenue-to-stand-920-feet-tall.html |access-date=July 13, 2022 |work=New York YIMBY |date=December 17, 2014 |archive-date=July 13, 2022 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20220713000251/https://newyorkyimby.com/2014/12/permits-filed-520-5th-avenue-to-stand-920-feet-tall.html |url-status=live }} Handel Architects was the architect of record for this design.

Thor did not proceed with the building, and ultimately sold the site to a joint venture between Ceruzzi Properties and SMI USA for $325 million in 2015.{{cite news |last1=Elkies Schram |first1=Lauren |title=Ceruzzi, SMI USA Buying Midtown Site From Thor in $325M Deal |url=https://commercialobserver.com/2015/06/ceruzzi-smi-usa-buying-midtown-site-from-thor-in-325m-deal/ |access-date=July 13, 2022 |work=Commercial Observer |date=June 25, 2015 |archive-date=July 13, 2022 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20220713155732/https://commercialobserver.com/2015/06/ceruzzi-smi-usa-buying-midtown-site-from-thor-in-325m-deal/ |url-status=live }} The firms received financing in the form of loans from JPMorgan Chase and Fisher Brothers.{{cite news |last1=Ghigliotty |first1=Damian |title=J.P. Morgan and Fisher Brothers Lend $150M for 520 Fifth Avenue Project |url=https://commercialobserver.com/2015/08/j-p-morgan-and-fisher-brothers-lend-150m-for-520-fifth-avenue-condo-project/ |access-date=July 13, 2022 |work=Commercial Observer |date=August 19, 2015}} New York YIMBY reported that the two firms would proceed with plans for a building designed by Handel Architects, originally produced for Thor.{{cite news |last1=Wilson |first1=Reid |title=Ceruzzi Properties To Acquire 520 Fifth Avenue, 71-Story Mixed-Use Tower Planned, Midtown |url=https://newyorkyimby.com/2015/06/ceruzzi-properties-to-acquire-520-fifth-avenue-71-story-mixed-use-tower-planned-midtown.html |access-date=July 28, 2022 |work=New York YIMBY |date=June 26, 2015 |archive-date=July 28, 2022 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20220728015834/https://newyorkyimby.com/2015/06/ceruzzi-properties-to-acquire-520-fifth-avenue-71-story-mixed-use-tower-planned-midtown.html |url-status=live }}{{cite news |last1=Wilson |first1=Reid |title=Developers Close On 520 Fifth Avenue, Plan 71-Story Mixed-Use Tower, Midtown |url=https://newyorkyimby.com/2015/08/developers-close-on-520-fifth-avenue-plan-71-story-mixed-use-tower-midtown.html |access-date=July 13, 2022 |work=New York YIMBY |date=August 20, 2015 |archive-date=September 19, 2021 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20210919140748/https://newyorkyimby.com/2015/08/developers-close-on-520-fifth-avenue-plan-71-story-mixed-use-tower-midtown.html |url-status=live }} In an interview in 2015, Louis Ceruzzi, founder of Ceruzzi Properties, stated the firm intended to begin construction on the site in early 2016.{{cite news |last1=Elkies Schram |first1=Lauren |title=Ceruzzi Properties Is Making a Big Play for Manhattan |url=https://commercialobserver.com/2015/11/after-years-in-new-england-and-nj-ceruzzi-properties-is-making-a-big-play-for-manhattan/ |access-date=July 28, 2022 |work=Commercial Observer |date=November 18, 2015 |archive-date=September 27, 2022 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20220927080051/https://commercialobserver.com/2015/11/after-years-in-new-england-and-nj-ceruzzi-properties-is-making-a-big-play-for-manhattan/ |url-status=live }} Lou Ceruzzi had wanted to develop a structure with three stories of retail, 145 residential condominiums, and an eight-story hotel with 208 rooms. In 2017, Ceruzzi and SMI received a bridge loan from Mack Real Estate Credit Strategies, which took the place of the earlier financing.{{cite news |last1=Voien |first1=Guelda |title=Mack Real Estate Provides $200M Bridge Loan To 520 Fifth Avenue |url=https://commercialobserver.com/2017/07/mack-real-estate-provides-200m-bridge-loan-for-nascent-520-fifth-avenue-project/ |access-date=July 13, 2022 |work=Commercial Observer |date=July 5, 2017 |archive-date=July 13, 2022 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20220713162551/https://commercialobserver.com/2017/07/mack-real-estate-provides-200m-bridge-loan-for-nascent-520-fifth-avenue-project/ |url-status=live }} Lou Ceruzzi died that year, and The Real Deal reported that the two firms were looking for a third development partner in 2018.{{cite news |last1=Balbi |first1=Danielle |last2=Maurer |first2=Mark |title=Extell, Zeckendorf in talks to lead development of 520 Fifth: sources |url=https://therealdeal.com/2018/06/06/extell-zeckendorf-in-talks-to-lead-development-of-520-fifth-sources/ |access-date=July 13, 2022 |work=The Real Deal New York |date=June 6, 2018 |archive-date=July 13, 2022 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20220713165944/https://therealdeal.com/2018/06/06/extell-zeckendorf-in-talks-to-lead-development-of-520-fifth-sources/ |url-status=live }} New York City developers including Extell and Zeckendorf were among the potential partners considered. In 2018, Ceruzzi and SMI defaulted on the Mack loan.{{cite news |last1=Cunningham |first1=Cathy |last2=Grossman |first2=Matt |title=Ceruzzi's $233M Debt on 520 Fifth Ave Is in Default and Up for Sale |url=https://commercialobserver.com/2019/05/ceruzzi-debt-520-fifth/ |access-date=July 13, 2022 |work=Commercial Observer |date=May 23, 2019 |archive-date=July 13, 2022 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20220713163556/https://commercialobserver.com/2019/05/ceruzzi-debt-520-fifth/ |url-status=live }} Mack placed the loan for sale through HFF.

=Rabina development=

File:At New York City 2024 033.jpg

The developer Mickey Rabina purchased the site in 2019 for $205 million.{{cite web |date=July 2, 2019 |title=Rabina Properties closes on JV deal at 520 Fifth |url=https://therealdeal.com/new-york/2019/07/02/rabina-properties-closes-on-jv-deal-at-520-fifth-avenue/ |access-date=September 9, 2024 |website=The Real Deal |archive-date=March 11, 2023 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20230311014920/https://therealdeal.com/new-york/2019/07/02/rabina-properties-closes-on-jv-deal-at-520-fifth-avenue/ |url-status=live }} Rabina repaid Mack during the process of buying the site, and he secured a new mortgage for $110 million from Bank OZK.{{cite news |last1=Cuozzo |first1=Steve |title=Partnership leads to $205M deal for 520 Fifth Avenue |url=https://nypost.com/2019/07/08/partnership-leads-to-205m-deal-for-520-fifth-avenue/ |access-date=July 13, 2022 |work=The New York Post |date=July 8, 2019 |archive-date=July 13, 2022 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20220713173134/https://nypost.com/2019/07/08/partnership-leads-to-205m-deal-for-520-fifth-avenue/ |url-status=live }} Bank OZK made the construction loan to the project's developer despite a drop in foot traffic on Fifth Avenue (attributed to the COVID-19 pandemic) due to project's residential component and the enduring strength of the Manhattan residential market.{{cite news |last1=Putzier |first1=Konrad |date=February 7, 2022 |title=This Small Arkansas Bank Is Fueling America's Skyscraper Boom |url=https://www.wsj.com/articles/this-small-arkansas-bank-is-fueling-americas-skyscraper-boom-11644238800 |access-date=July 22, 2022 |work=Wall Street Journal |archive-date=July 22, 2022 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20220722234929/https://www.wsj.com/articles/this-small-arkansas-bank-is-fueling-americas-skyscraper-boom-11644238800 |url-status=live }} At the time, the developers tentatively planned to construct a 76-story skyscraper rising {{Convert|920|ft}}.{{cite web |date=January 7, 2021 |title=Permits Filed for 70 Story Mixed-Use Tower in New York City |url=https://www.ctbuh.org/news/permits-filed-for-70-story-mixed-use-tower-in-new-york-city |access-date=September 9, 2024 |website=Council on Tall Buildings and Urban Habitat}} Plans for a building designed by Kohn Pedersen Fox were filed in early 2021, replacing the earlier Thor (and subsequently Ceruzzi and SMI) plan designed by Handel Architects.{{cite web |last=Jones |first=Orion |date=January 7, 2021 |title=Rabina files plans for 70-story tower at beleaguered Fifth Ave site |url=https://therealdeal.com/new-york/2021/01/07/rabina-files-plans-for-70-story-tower-at-beleaguered-fifth-ave-site/ |access-date=September 9, 2024 |website=The Real Deal |archive-date=September 30, 2023 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20230930164521/https://therealdeal.com/new-york/2021/01/07/rabina-files-plans-for-70-story-tower-at-beleaguered-fifth-ave-site/ |url-status=live }} The plans called for a skyscraper rising {{Convert|896|ft}}, with about 100 residences. In addition, the facade was to be made of terracotta rather than glass.

New York YIMBY reported that Kohn Pedersen Fox had redesigned the plans for the skyscraper in December 2021.{{cite news |last1=Young |first1=Michael |title=520 Fifth Avenue Awaits Supertall Construction in Midtown, Manhattan |url=https://newyorkyimby.com/2021/12/520-fifth-avenue-awaits-supertall-construction-in-midtown-manhattan.html |access-date=July 13, 2022 |work=New York YIMBY |date=December 20, 2021 |archive-date=April 30, 2022 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20220430232515/https://newyorkyimby.com/2021/12/520-fifth-avenue-awaits-supertall-construction-in-midtown-manhattan.html |url-status=live }} Rabina received a combined $540 million in construction financing from Bank OZK and The Carlyle Group in March 2022.{{cite web |last=Sanders |first=Julia |date=March 4, 2022 |title=Rabina Receives $540M in Construction Financing for Fifth Avenue Skyscraper in Manhattan |url=https://rebusinessonline.com/rabina-receives-540m-in-construction-financing-for-fifth-avenue-skyscraper-in-manhattan/ |access-date=September 9, 2024 |website=REBusinessOnline |archive-date=September 18, 2023 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20230918215513/https://rebusinessonline.com/rabina-receives-540m-in-construction-financing-for-fifth-avenue-skyscraper-in-manhattan/ |url-status=live }}{{cite web |last=Walter-Warner |first=Holden |date=March 10, 2022 |title=Rabina reels in $540M in financing for Fifth Ave skyscraper |url=https://therealdeal.com/new-york/2022/03/10/rabina-reels-in-540m-in-construction-financing-for-fifth-ave-skyscraper/ |access-date=September 9, 2024 |website=The Real Deal |archive-date=June 6, 2023 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20230606084111/https://therealdeal.com/new-york/2022/03/10/rabina-reels-in-540m-in-construction-financing-for-fifth-ave-skyscraper/ |url-status=live }} Excavation began at some point between the redesign and the financing{{cite news |last1=Young |first1=Michael |title=Excavation Underway for Kohn Pedersen Fox's 520 Fifth Avenue Supertall in Midtown, Manhattan |url=https://newyorkyimby.com/2022/03/excavation-underway-for-kohn-pedersen-foxs-520-fifth-avenue-supertall-in-midtown-manhattan.html |access-date=July 13, 2022 |work=New York YIMBY |date=March 1, 2022 |archive-date=July 17, 2022 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20220717034856/https://newyorkyimby.com/2022/03/excavation-underway-for-kohn-pedersen-foxs-520-fifth-avenue-supertall-in-midtown-manhattan.html |url-status=live }} and was still underway in July 2022.{{cite news |last1=Young |first1=Michael |last2=Pruznick |first2=Matt |title=Excavation Continues for Kohn Pedersen Fox's 520 Fifth Avenue Supertall in Midtown, Manhattan |url=https://newyorkyimby.com/2022/07/excavation-continues-kohn-pedersen-foxs-520-fifth-avenue-supertall-in-midtown-manhattan.html |access-date=March 18, 2023 |work=New York YIMBY |date=July 12, 2022 |archive-date=March 18, 2023 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20230318144238/https://newyorkyimby.com/2022/07/excavation-continues-kohn-pedersen-foxs-520-fifth-avenue-supertall-in-midtown-manhattan.html |url-status=live }} Work on the building's foundation began later in 2022.{{cite news |last1=Young |first1=Michael |last2=Pruznick |first2=Matt |title=Foundations Underway for KPF's 520 Fifth Avenue Supertall in Midtown, Manhattan |url=https://newyorkyimby.com/2022/12/foundations-underway-for-kpfs-520-fifth-avenue-supertall-in-midtown-manhattan.html |access-date=May 2, 2023 |work=New York YIMBY |date=December 23, 2022 |archive-date=May 2, 2023 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20230502181256/https://newyorkyimby.com/2022/12/foundations-underway-for-kpfs-520-fifth-avenue-supertall-in-midtown-manhattan.html |url-status=live }} The project was constrained by the small site and the fact that the neighboring streets could not be closed to traffic. As a result, several cranes had to be used to construct the superstructure, and a series of hoists were installed to accelerate deliveries of materials.{{cite web |last=Parsons |first=Jim |date=March 24, 2025 |title=Team Delivers Manhattan Supertall Tower on a Quarter-Acre Parcel |url=https://www.enr.com/articles/60490-team-delivers-manhattan-supertall-tower-on-a-quarter-acre-parcel |access-date=March 30, 2025 |website=Engineering News-Record}} Construction was above street level as of March 2023.{{cite news |last1=Young |first1=Michael |last2=Pruznick |first2=Matt |title=KPF's 520 Fifth Avenue Supertall Rises Above Street Level in Midtown, Manhattan |url=https://newyorkyimby.com/2023/03/kpfs-520-fifth-avenue-supertall-rises-above-street-level-in-midtown-manhattan.html |access-date=May 10, 2023 |work=New York YIMBY |date=March 8, 2023 |archive-date=May 3, 2023 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20230503094258/https://newyorkyimby.com/2023/03/kpfs-520-fifth-avenue-supertall-rises-above-street-level-in-midtown-manhattan.html |url-status=live }} New York YIMBY reported that the installation of the building's facade was underway in October 2023.{{cite news |last1=Young |first1=Michael |title=Facade Installation Progresses At 520 Fifth Avenue In Midtown, Manhattan |url=https://newyorkyimby.com/2023/10/facade-installation-progresses-at-520-fifth-avenue-in-midtown-manhattan.html |access-date=October 9, 2023 |work=New York YIMBY |date=October 9, 2023 |archive-date=October 10, 2023 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20231010033136/https://newyorkyimby.com/2023/10/facade-installation-progresses-at-520-fifth-avenue-in-midtown-manhattan.html |url-status=live }}

Sales at the building began in April 2024, with the cheapest apartments selling for $1.7 million.{{cite web |last=Simms |first=Demetrius |date=April 12, 2024 |title=The Tallest Residential Tower on New York's Fifth Avenue Launches Sales |url=https://robbreport.com/shelter/new-construction/tallest-residential-tower-on-fifth-avenue-launches-sales-1235577575/ |access-date=September 9, 2024 |website=Robb Report}}{{cite web |last=Ginsburg |first=Aaron |date=April 10, 2024 |title=Fifth Avenue's tallest residential tower launches sales, from $1.7M |url=https://www.6sqft.com/520-fifth-avenue-tallest-towers-on-fifth-avenue-launches-sales/ |access-date=September 9, 2024 |website=6sqft |archive-date=September 9, 2024 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20240909140820/https://www.6sqft.com/520-fifth-avenue-tallest-towers-on-fifth-avenue-launches-sales/ |url-status=live }} Three-fifths of the apartments had been sold by that October, when the building was topped out.{{cite web |last=Yan |first=Matt |date=October 17, 2024 |title=A Supertall on Fifth Avenue, Eager to Be a Good Neighbor |url=https://www.nytimes.com/2024/10/17/realestate/520-fifth-avenue-skyscraper.html |access-date=October 17, 2024 |website=The New York Times}}{{cite news |last1=Young |first1=Michael |last2=Pruznick |first2=Matt |title=KPF's 520 Fifth Avenue Supertall Tops Out Over Midtown, Manhattan |url=https://newyorkyimby.com/2024/10/kpfs-520-fifth-avenue-supertall-tops-out-over-midtown-manhattan.html |access-date=25 October 2024 |work=New York YIMBY |date=25 October 2024}}{{cite web |last=Eberhardt |first=Ellen |date=October 29, 2024 |title="Beaux-rts" supertall skyscraper by KPF tops out in Manhattan |url=https://www.dezeen.com/2024/10/29/beaux-arts-supertall-skyscraper-kpf-tops-out-manhattan/ |access-date=October 30, 2024 |website=Dezeen}} Steelwork was completed at the end of that December. At the time, the first residents were scheduled to move into 520 Fifth Avenue in 2025, while the building was expected to be completed the following year. By the time the highest penthouse apartment was sold in February 2025, eighty-five percent of the units had been sold.{{cite web |date=February 6, 2025 |title=Mickey Rabina trades top condo at 520 Fifth Ave |url=https://therealdeal.com/new-york/2025/02/06/mickey-rabinas-top-condo-at-520-fifth-ave-finds-buyer/ |access-date=February 9, 2025 |website=The Real Deal}}{{cite web |last=Gannon |first=Devin |date=February 6, 2025 |title=Fifth Ave's highest condo fetches $11.5M asking price |url=https://www.6sqft.com/fifth-aves-highest-condo-fetches-11-5m/ |access-date=February 9, 2025 |website=6sqft}}

Architecture

File:Century Association 7 West 43rd Street.jpg]]

The building was designed by Kohn Pedersen Fox.{{cite news |last1=Eberhardt |first1=Ellen |title=KPF supertall skyscraper to rise in Midtown Manhattan |url=https://www.dezeen.com/2024/01/29/supertall-skyscraper-midtown-manhattan-kpf/ |access-date=January 31, 2024 |work=Dezeen |date=January 29, 2024 |language=en |archive-date=January 31, 2024 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20240131145044/https://www.dezeen.com/2024/01/29/supertall-skyscraper-midtown-manhattan-kpf/ |url-status=live }}{{cite web |last=Chávez |first=María José Gutiérrez |date=February 5, 2024 |title=Kohn Pedersen Fox Associates reveal new renderings for supertall at 520 Fifth Avenue |url=https://www.archpaper.com/2024/02/kohn-pedersen-fox-associates-reveal-new-renderings-for-520-fifth-avenue/ |access-date=September 9, 2024 |website=The Architect's Newspaper |archive-date=March 2, 2024 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20240302044550/https://www.archpaper.com/2024/02/kohn-pedersen-fox-associates-reveal-new-renderings-for-520-fifth-avenue/ |url-status=live }} James von Klemperer, the president of Kohn Pedersen Fox, has said the firm drew inspiration from the works of Hugh Ferriss and from buildings near the site when designing the building. In particular, von Klemperer cited the Fred F. French Building, Century Association Building, the New York Public Library Main Branch, and Grand Central Terminal as inspiring the building's design.{{cite web |last=Pener |first=Degen |date=April 12, 2024 |title=Fifth Avenue's Tallest Residential Building, Due in 2025, Opens Sales and Reveals Design Plans |url=https://www.hollywoodreporter.com/lifestyle/real-estate/supertall-residential-new-york-tower-520-fifth-design-details-1235873003/ |access-date=September 9, 2024 |website=The Hollywood Reporter |archive-date=July 16, 2024 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20240716200558/https://www.hollywoodreporter.com/lifestyle/real-estate/supertall-residential-new-york-tower-520-fifth-design-details-1235873003/ |url-status=live }} The lower portion of the building, from floors 9 to 34, will be used as office space, while the upper stories, between floors 42 and 80, are used as residences.

= Exterior =

The top of the building is approximately {{Convert|1000|ft}} tall, making it a pencil tower with a height–width radio of 15:1. The facade contains arched windows, each measuring {{Convert|10|ft}} wide and 10 feet high,{{cite web |last=Barandy |first=Kat |date=April 10, 2024 |title=Step Inside KPF's Beaux-arts Inspired Supertall Skyscraper at 520 Fifth Avenue |url=https://www.designboom.com/architecture/520-fifth-avenue-kpf-kohn-pedersen-fox-charles-co-new-york-04-10-2024/ |access-date=September 9, 2024 |website=designboom |archive-date=August 29, 2024 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20240829135609/https://www.designboom.com/architecture/520-fifth-avenue-kpf-kohn-pedersen-fox-charles-co-new-york-04-10-2024/ |url-status=live }} which are interspersed with fluted piers. The lower stories are clad in terracotta panels, while the upper stories are clad in painted aluminum. There are several setbacks, which are placed asymmetrically on the exterior massing.{{cite web |last=Eberhardt |first=Ellen |date=January 29, 2024 |title=KPF supertall skyscraper to rise in Midtown Manhattan |url=https://www.dezeen.com/2024/01/29/supertall-skyscraper-midtown-manhattan-kpf/ |access-date=October 30, 2024 |website=Dezeen}} These setbacks create outdoor terraces, which are arranged in a spiraling pattern.

Approximately 5,500 curtain wall panels are used on the facade. Each of the office stories has outdoor terraces and operable windows.{{cite web |last=Quinlan |first=Adriane |date=March 27, 2025 |title=An Office Window You Can Actually Open |url=https://www.curbed.com/article/520-fifth-avenue-rabina-first-operable-open-office-window-midtown-1961-zoning-ordinance.html |access-date=March 30, 2025 |website=Curbed}} The movable windows on 520 Fifth Avenue's office stories are unusual for a modern office building in New York City; according to Ian Michael Klein of Rabina, the windows were intended to give the feeling that "you’re not trapped in a glass box". By contrast, most of the city's office buildings completed after the 1961 Zoning Resolution tended not to have operable windows, since it would decrease the efficiency of their central heating, ventilation, and air conditioning (HVAC) systems. The upper-story condominiums are legally required to have operable windows, which are spaced farther apart. The windows on the upper stories are progressively larger, while the ground story has a colonnade.

= Interior =

The foundation extends {{Convert|48|ft}} below ground and consists of pads measuring {{convert|10|to|19|ft}} thick; the foundation walls are {{convert|60|ft}} thick on average. The elevator pits descend {{Convert|60|ft}} below ground level.

The superstructure is supported by concrete pillars. Each of the 72 stories is a reinforced concrete floor slab, with steel beams and concrete shear walls linking it to the concrete core; the structure is further reinforced by "belt floors" on floors 32 and 52. The southeast corner of the building, facing Fifth Avenue and 43rd Street, has a {{convert|24|by|24|in|adj=on}} steel column that rises 31 stories and is connected to the core. Vicky Charles of Charles & Co. designed 520 Fifth Avenue's interior. The building's main entrance is through a lobby with walls of walnut wood and a floor of mosaic tiles. The building is mixed-use, with 100 residences and office space, in addition to restaurants on the first three stories.{{cite news |last1=Sanders |first1=Julia |title=Rabina Receives $540M in Construction Financing for Fifth Avenue Skyscraper in Manhattan |url=https://rebusinessonline.com/rabina-receives-540m-in-construction-financing-for-fifth-avenue-skyscraper-in-manhattan/ |access-date=July 22, 2022 |work=REBusinessOnline |date=March 4, 2022 |archive-date=July 22, 2022 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20220722234448/https://rebusinessonline.com/rabina-receives-540m-in-construction-financing-for-fifth-avenue-skyscraper-in-manhattan/ |url-status=live }} The office space spans approximately {{Convert|200000|ft2}}, with ceilings measuring {{Convert|12|ft}} high. Each of the office stories has a separate HVAC system.

The upper stories include apartments with between one and four bedrooms each. The interiors are painted in neutral colors and have crystal, brass, and wood decorations. In the apartments are kitchens with walnut cabinets, bathrooms with marble floors, and ceilings measuring {{Convert|10|to|14|ft}} high. The five highest residences are penthouse apartments, which each occupy a full story. On the top floor, which is numbered as the 88th because of its {{Convert|880|ft|adj=on}} height above ground level, is a private club with a game room, library, sun room, and dining room. According to Vicky Charles, the residences used "rich colors, hand-printed wallcoverings, soft warm plasters, custom crystal chandeliers, buttery leathers, and luxurious plush upholstery". The top five stories contain a tuned mass damper weighing {{Convert|500|ST|LT t}} along with mechanical equipment.

References

Category:Buildings and structures under construction in the United States

Category:Fifth Avenue

Category:Kohn Pedersen Fox buildings

Category:Midtown Manhattan

Category:Office buildings in Manhattan

Category:Residential buildings in Manhattan