Bank of America Tower (Manhattan)

The Bank of America Tower is on the western side of Sixth Avenue (officially Avenue of the Americas{{Cite news|last=Bowen|first=Croswell|author-link=Croswell Bowen|date=April 1, 1970|title=Topics: In Search of Sixth Avenue|language=en-US|work=The New York Times|url=https://www.nytimes.com/1970/04/01/archives/topics-in-search-of-sixth-avenue.html|access-date=July 16, 2021|issn=0362-4331|archive-date=July 16, 2021|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20210716141558/https://www.nytimes.com/1970/04/01/archives/topics-in-search-of-sixth-avenue.html|url-status=live}}) between 42nd Street and 43rd Street, in the Midtown Manhattan neighborhood of New York City, New York, U.S.{{Cite web|title=1111 Avenue of the Amer, 10036|url=https://zola.planning.nyc.gov/l/lot/1/995/33|url-status=live|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20210805231423/https://zola.planning.nyc.gov/l/lot/1/841/49|archive-date=August 5, 2021|access-date=March 25, 2021|publisher=New York City Department of City Planning}}{{cite aia5|pages=271}} While its legal address is 1111 Avenue of the Americas, it is known as 1 Bryant Park.{{cite web|title=One Bryant Park|url=https://www.durst.org/properties/one-bryant-park|url-status=live|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20210911110858/https://www.durst.org/properties/one-bryant-park|archive-date=September 11, 2021|access-date=September 11, 2021|website=The Durst Organization}}{{cite magazine|last=McGrath|first=Ben|date=November 5, 2007|title=On The Avenue|url=http://www.newyorker.com/magazine/2007/11/12/on-the-avenue-3|url-status=live|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20210507144357/https://www.newyorker.com/magazine/2007/11/12/on-the-avenue-3|archive-date=May 7, 2021|access-date=September 14, 2021|magazine=The New Yorker}} The building's Bryant Park address arose because its namesake tenant Bank of America wanted the tower to be easily related with Bryant Park to the southeast.{{cite magazine|last=Ruhling|first=Nancy A.|date=Mar 2005|title=What's in a Name?|volume=24|issue=3|page=35|id={{ProQuest|216487158}}|journal=Real Estate New York}} The government of New York City does not consider 1 Bryant Park to be a real address, as Bryant Park is not the name of a street, but Bank of America applied for 1 Bryant Park to be a "vanity address" under city planning law.

The land lot is rectangular and covers {{cvt|87,863|ft2}}. The site has a frontage of {{cvt|437.5|ft}} on 42nd and 43rd Streets and a frontage of {{cvt|200|ft}} on Sixth Avenue. The building is surrounded by 149 stainless-steel bollards, placed on the sidewalks at intervals of {{Convert|5|ft}}.{{cite magazine|last=Agovino|first=Theresa|date=May 9, 2011|title=Reimagining the skyscraper|volume=27|issue=19|page=1|id={{ProQuest|870449290}}|journal=Crain's New York Business}} The Bank of America Tower, as well as 4 Times Square to the west, comprise the entire city block. Other nearby locations include the Town Hall theater and the Lambs Club to the north, The Knickerbocker Hotel to the southwest, Bush Tower and 1095 Avenue of the Americas to the south, and Bryant Park to the southeast. The site is directly bounded to the south and east by New York City Subway tunnels.{{harvnb|Canale|Moskowitz|Kaufman|2008|ps=.|p=6}}

Historically, the area had been composed of hills and meadows, and a stream ran on the western boundary of the site.{{harvnb|Canale|Moskowitz|Kaufman|2008|ps=.|p=1}} Prior to the Bank of America Tower's construction, the site was occupied by several structures.{{Cite news|last=Barry|first=Dan|date=February 25, 2004|title=About New York; Fading To Memory, And Beyond|language=en-US|work=The New York Times|url=https://www.nytimes.com/2004/02/25/nyregion/about-new-york-fading-to-memory-and-beyond.html|url-status=live|access-date=September 13, 2021|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20210913183836/https://www.nytimes.com/2004/02/25/nyregion/about-new-york-fading-to-memory-and-beyond.html|archive-date=September 13, 2021|issn=0362-4331}} The neighborhood had been occupied by row houses with backyards in the late 19th century, which were demolished for commercial development in the early 20th century. Many of the former structures on the site were stores, restaurants, and theaters.

There was a pair of two-story buildings at 1111 Avenue of the Americas and 105-109 West 42nd Street just before the tower's development.{{Cite news|last=Glovin|first=David|date=April 13, 2001|title=Times Sq. site owner condemns state-Durst 'plot'|pages=36|work=New York Daily News|issn=2692-1251|via=newspapers.com|url=https://www.newspapers.com/clip/85144041/times-sq-site-owner-condemns/|access-date=September 11, 2021|archive-date=September 11, 2021|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20210911192149/https://www.newspapers.com/clip/85144041/times-sq-site-owner-condemns/|url-status=live}} A 20- or 22-story commercial building, the Remington Building, stood at 113 West 42nd Street.{{cite news|last=McGeveran|first=Tom|date=August 13, 2001|title=Isaac's New Insides: Make No Miz-take! Mr. Unzipped Takes His Design Instincts to Corporate Stratospheres|page=1|work=New York Observer|id={{ProQuest|333506945}}}} The Hotel Diplomat, a 13-story structure at 108 West 43rd Street that had operated since 1911, occupied the northern part of the site.{{Cite news|last=Dunlap|first=David W.|date=November 7, 1993|title=An Aging Midtown Hotel That Will Not Go Gently|language=en-US|work=The New York Times|url=https://www.nytimes.com/1993/11/07/realestate/an-aging-midtown-hotel-that-will-not-go-gently.html|access-date=September 11, 2021|issn=0362-4331|archive-date=January 19, 2018|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20180119005657/http://www.nytimes.com/1993/11/07/realestate/an-aging-midtown-hotel-that-will-not-go-gently.html|url-status=live}} The block also had a Masonic Temple,{{Cite news|last=Dollar|first=Steve|date=August 10, 2003|title=Urban Fest Highlights Diversity|pages=170|work=Newsday|issn=2574-5298|via=newspapers.com|url=https://www.newspapers.com/clip/85234279/urban-fest-highlights-diversitysteve/|access-date=September 13, 2021|archive-date=September 13, 2021|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20210913031132/https://www.newspapers.com/clip/85234279/urban-fest-highlights-diversitysteve/|url-status=live}} as well as the eight-story Roger Baldwin Building at 132 West 43rd Street, once headquarters of the American Civil Liberties Union.{{Cite news|last=Dunlap|first=David W.|date=February 18, 1990|title=For Durst, It's Now a Tower Instead of Taxpayers|language=en-US|work=The New York Times|url=https://www.nytimes.com/1990/02/18/realestate/commercial-property-holdouts-for-durst-it-s-now-a-tower-instead-of-taxpayers.html|access-date=September 11, 2021|issn=0362-4331|archive-date=September 11, 2021|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20210911222540/https://www.nytimes.com/1990/02/18/realestate/commercial-property-holdouts-for-durst-it-s-now-a-tower-instead-of-taxpayers.html|url-status=live}} The northern side of the Bank of America Tower incorporates the Stephen Sondheim Theatre (originally Henry Miller's Theatre), which was rebuilt when the tower was erected.

File:42nd St 6th Av td 19 - Bank of America IND.jpg

Immediately outside the Bank of America Tower is an entrance to the New York City Subway's 42nd Street–Bryant Park/Fifth Avenue station,{{cite press release|title=Bank of America and The Durst Organization Break Ground On the Bank of America Tower at One Bryant Park in New York City|publisher=Bank of America Corporation|date=August 2, 2004|url=http://newsroom.bankofamerica.com/index.php?s=press_releases&item=4405|access-date=October 19, 2007|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20071023184724/http://newsroom.bankofamerica.com/index.php?s=press_releases&item=4405|archive-date=October 23, 2007|url-status=live}} which is served by the {{NYCS trains|Bryant Park}}.{{cite web|year=2018|title=MTA Neighborhood Maps: 42 St-Bryant Park (B)(D)(F)(M)|url=https://new.mta.info/document/851|url-status=live|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20200203170215/https://new.mta.info/document/851|archive-date=February 3, 2020|access-date=September 13, 2018|website=mta.info|publisher=Metropolitan Transportation Authority}} The entrance is designed to harmonize with the lobby adjacent to it.{{cite web|last=Crosbie|first=Michael J.|date=August 11, 2010|title=Environment - One Bryant Park, New York|url=http://www.architectureweek.com/2010/0811/environment_1-3.html|url-status=live|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20210913143708/http://www.architectureweek.com/2010/0811/environment_1-3.html|archive-date=September 13, 2021|access-date=September 13, 2021|website=ArchitectureWeek|page=3}} The subway entrance consists of a glass enclosure with a pair of staircases, which lead north and south from Sixth Avenue to the station's underground mezzanine. The subway entrance has an elevator as well. On the subway entrance's glass roof is a BIPV installation, which produces some electricity for the structure.

As part of the building's construction, a passageway was built under the north side of 42nd Street connecting the Bryant Park complex with the Times Square–42nd Street station. However, the passageway remained closed even when the building was completed. As part of the reconstruction of 42nd Street Shuttle from 2019 to 2022, the passageway would have been opened and a new entrance would be built on the north side of 42nd Street between Broadway and Sixth Avenue.{{Cite web|date=May 30, 2019|title=42nd Street Shuttle ADA, State of Good Repair, and Capacity Enhancement Project & Grand Central Station Elevator and Escalator Replacements|url=http://cbsix.org/wp-content/uploads/2019/06/Times-Square-ADA_MN-CB5_final.pdf|url-status=live|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20190806192713/http://cbsix.org/wp-content/uploads/2019/06/Times-Square-ADA_MN-CB5_final.pdf|archive-date=August 6, 2019|access-date=June 14, 2019|website=cbsix.org|publisher=Metropolitan Transportation Authority}}{{Cite web|date=April 25, 2018|title=Memorandum of Agreement Between Federal Transit Administration New York State Historic Preservation Office New York City Transit Authority Regarding the Times Square Shuttle Station During Contract A-35302, The Reconfiguration of the Times Square Shuttle Station, SHPO Project #17PR00545.|url=http://web.mta.info/mta/news/notices/pdf/MOA_Times_Sq_Shuttle_notice.pdf|url-status=dead|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20180425211727/http://web.mta.info/mta/news/notices/pdf/MOA_Times_Sq_Shuttle_notice.pdf|archive-date=April 25, 2018|access-date=April 27, 2018|website=mta.info|publisher=Metropolitan Transportation Authority}} Because the Durst Organization did not want to pay for an underpass between the new shuttle platform and the Bank of America Tower's passageway, a parallel ramp between the two stations was built instead, leaving the Bank of America Tower's passageway unused.{{cite web|date=July 19, 2021|title=Transit and Bus Committee Meeting|url=https://new.mta.info/document/44216|url-status=live|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20210716191940/https://new.mta.info/document/44216|archive-date=July 16, 2021|access-date=July 16, 2021|publisher=Metropolitan Transportation Authority|page=170}}

The Bank of America Tower was developed by Douglas Durst of the Durst Organization and designed by Cookfox Architects for Bank of America.{{cite news|date=April 30, 2009|title=Bank of America Tower|url=https://www.detail-online.com/article/bank-of-america-tower-13797/|access-date=September 12, 2021|newspaper=Detail-Online.com|archive-date=September 12, 2021|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20210912180635/https://www.detail-online.com/article/bank-of-america-tower-13797/|url-status=live}} Adamson Associates served as the executive designer.{{cite web|last=Crosbie|first=Michael J.|date=August 11, 2010|title=Environment - One Bryant Park, New York|url=http://www.architectureweek.com/2010/0811/environment_1-1.html|url-status=live|access-date=September 13, 2021|website=ArchitectureWeek|page=1|archive-date=September 13, 2021|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20210913143705/http://www.architectureweek.com/2010/0811/environment_1-1.html}} Severud Associates was the structural engineer, Jaros, Baum & Bolles was the MEP engineer, and Tishman Realty & Construction was the general contractor. Numerous other consultants, engineers, and contractors were involved in the building's design and construction.{{cite web|title=Bank of America Tower - The Skyscraper Center|url=https://www.skyscrapercenter.com/building/bank-of-america-tower/291|access-date=September 12, 2021|website=Council on Tall Buildings and Urban Habitat|archive-date=May 22, 2021|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20210522004955/https://www.skyscrapercenter.com/building/bank-of-america-tower/291|url-status=live}}

File:New York Bldg. Height Comparison.svg

The building contains {{convert|2.1|e6sqft|m2|0}} of office space.{{cite web|date=May 20, 2010|title=BofA tower gets top green-building rating|url=https://www.crainsnewyork.com/article/20100520/REAL_ESTATE/100529998/bofa-tower-gets-top-green-building-rating|access-date=September 12, 2021|website=Crain's New York Business|archive-date=September 12, 2021|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20210912182147/https://www.crainsnewyork.com/article/20100520/REAL_ESTATE/100529998/bofa-tower-gets-top-green-building-rating|url-status=live}} It has three basements{{harvnb|Muller-Lust|2008|ps=.|p=2}} and has 55 above-ground stories.{{cite web|title=Bank of America Tower|url=https://www.emporis.com/buildings/201684/bank-of-america-tower-new-york-city-ny-usa|url-status=usurped|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20070429100002/http://www.emporis.com/en/wm/bu/?id=bankofamericatower-newyorkcity-ny-usa|archive-date=April 29, 2007|access-date=September 12, 2021|work=Emporis}}{{cite magazine|last=Barista|first=Dave|date=Nov 2005|title=Deep Green|journal=Building Design & Construction|volume=46|pages=32, 34|id={{ProQuest|216487158}}|number=11}}{{harvnb|Adams|2008|ps=.|p=110}}{{efn|Some sources cite the building as having 54 stories.}} The Bank of America has two spires: an architectural spire to the south, rising {{Convert|1200|ft}}, and a wind turbine on the north, rising {{Convert|960|ft}}. The height to the architectural spire makes the Bank of America Tower the eighth tallest building in New York City and the tenth tallest building in the United States {{As of|2021|lc=y}}.{{cite web|date=February 3, 2011|title=U.S.A.'s tallest buildings - Top 20|url=https://www.emporis.com/statistics/tallest-buildings/country/100185/usa|access-date=May 1, 2012|work=Emporis|archive-date=May 11, 2015|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20150511215840/http://www.emporis.com/statistics/tallest-buildings/country/100185/usa|url-status=usurped}} When only roof height is counted, the building rises to {{Convert|944.5|ft}} on the south end and {{Convert|848|ft|1}} on the north end.

The Bank of America Tower was the first commercial skyscraper in the U.S. specifically designed to attain a Leadership in Energy and Environmental Design (LEED) Platinum certification, the highest green building certification available from LEED.{{harvnb|Architectural Lighting|2009|ps=.|p=52}} The Bank of America Tower was imitated worldwide as a model for sustainable architecture in skyscrapers.{{cite news|last=McDonnell|first=Tim|date=September 16, 2015|title=There's been a boom in energy-efficient skyscraper construction|work=Grist|url=http://grist.org/climate-energy/theres-been-a-boom-in-energy-efficient-skyscraper-construction/|access-date=September 17, 2015|archive-date=November 6, 2018|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20181106222510/https://grist.org/climate-energy/theres-been-a-boom-in-energy-efficient-skyscraper-construction/|url-status=live}} The energy-efficiency features increased the building's construction cost by 6.5 percent, but they were projected to save $3 million a year in annual energy costs and increase productivity by another $7 million annually.{{harvnb|Di Justo|2005|ps=.|p=28}} When the building opened, the effectiveness of the environmental features was lessened by its high occupancy rates. As a result, the building was given a "C" grade (on an "A" through "F" scale) on a citywide energy-efficiency ranking system in 2018.{{cite web|date=January 12, 2018|title=A failing grade for the city's new energy-efficiency scoring system|url=https://www.crainsnewyork.com/article/20180116/OPINION/180119939/editorial-a-failing-grade-for-the-city-s-new-energy-efficiency-scoring-system|access-date=September 14, 2021|website=Crain's New York Business|archive-date=September 14, 2021|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20210914170235/https://www.crainsnewyork.com/article/20180116/OPINION/180119939/editorial-a-failing-grade-for-the-city-s-new-energy-efficiency-scoring-system|url-status=live}} Another consequence was that the building risked being penalized for excessive carbon emissions under a 2019 law.{{Cite news|last=Morris|first=Keiko|date=2019-04-19|title=Real Estate Industry Faces Pricey Upgrades From Carbon Emissions Law|language=en-US|work=Wall Street Journal|url=https://www.wsj.com/articles/real-estate-industry-faces-pricey-upgrades-from-carbon-emissions-law-11555631023|access-date=2021-09-14|issn=0099-9660|archive-date=September 19, 2021|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20210919004728/https://www.wsj.com/articles/real-estate-industry-faces-pricey-upgrades-from-carbon-emissions-law-11555631023|url-status=live}}{{cite web|date=April 19, 2019|title=Legislation to cut carbon emissions will cost property owners billions|url=https://www.crainsnewyork.com/features/legislation-cut-carbon-emissions-will-cost-property-owners-billions|access-date=September 14, 2021|website=Crain's New York Business|archive-date=September 14, 2021|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20210914170237/https://www.crainsnewyork.com/features/legislation-cut-carbon-emissions-will-cost-property-owners-billions|url-status=live}} Bloomberg reported in 2022 that the building could exceed city emissions limits by an estimated 50 percent by 2024, resulting in an annual fine of $2.4 million.{{Cite web |last=Leonard |first=Devin |date=2022-03-14 |title=The Green Building That's Flunking New York's Climate Law |url=https://www.bloomberg.com/news/features/2022-03-14/the-green-skyscraper-challenging-nyc-s-emissions-law?leadSource=uverify%20wall |access-date=2022-11-07 |website=Bloomberg}}

File:Bank of america tower sept 2007.jpg

The building contains a seven- and eight-story base that occupies the entire plot. The tower rises above the eastern portion of the plot, covering {{Convert|32500|ft2}}. The facade contains several diagonal planes, which are designed to reduce wind resistance compared to a rectangular massing.{{cite magazine|last=Brown|first=Bay|date=Aug 2004|title=Bank of America Tower, New York City|url=https://usmodernist.org/AJ/A-2004-08.pdf|journal=Journal of the American Institute of Architects|volume=93|page=80|access-date=September 14, 2021|archive-date=September 14, 2021|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20210914003432/https://usmodernist.org/AJ/A-2004-08.pdf|url-status=live}} Serge Appel of Cookfox said the tower's massing would conform with Bank of America's wish for "an iconic form"{{Cite news|last=Troianovski|first=Anton|author-link=Anton Troianovski|date=2010-05-24|title=One Bryant Park Banks on Many Shapes|language=en|work=The Wall Street Journal|url=https://www.wsj.com/articles/SB10001424052748704226004575262401602012916|url-status=live|access-date=2021-09-14|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20210914012150/https://www.wsj.com/articles/SB10001424052748704226004575262401602012916|archive-date=September 14, 2021|issn=0099-9660}} and would maximize views of other buildings.{{harvnb|Steel Institute of New York|2008|ps=.|p=21}} One section of the building has a roof garden covering {{Convert|4,500|ft2}}.{{cite magazine|last=Marks|first=Andrew|date=Aug 18, 2008|title=Rooftop gardens could bloom with tax breaks|volume=24|issue=33|page=8|id={{ProQuest|219186946}}|journal=Crain's New York Business}} The building's three basement levels reach as deep as {{Convert|55|ft}} below grade.

At the lowest stories, the Bank of America Tower's floor plan resembles a rectangle, though the northeast and southwest corners protrude by about {{Convert|15|ft}}. The southeast corner, facing Bryant Park, is a right angle at the lowest one-third of the building. However, it is a wedge-shaped chamfer on the upper two-thirds of the tower, giving each successive story a different shape. During the planning process, the architects considered orienting the Bank of America Tower diagonally so it faced Bryant Park, but they ultimately decided to keep the base aligned with the Manhattan street grid as an "urban gesture".{{cite web|last=Crosbie|first=Michael J.|date=August 11, 2010|title=Environment - One Bryant Park, New York|url=http://www.architectureweek.com/2010/0811/environment_1-2.html|access-date=September 13, 2021|website=ArchitectureWeek|page=2|archive-date=September 13, 2021|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20210913143706/http://www.architectureweek.com/2010/0811/environment_1-2.html|url-status=live}} The upper stories are aligned diagonally to the street grid because of the sloped facades on upper stories.{{cite magazine|date=Oct 2008|title=On the skyline: building high in New York after 9/11 invariably carries a huge weight of responsibilities, but also suggests new possibilities for city life|url=http://link.gale.com/apps/doc/A188646833/AONE?u=wikipedia&sid=bookmark-AONE&xid=6f5093df|journal=The Architectural Review|volume=224|pages=56+|number=1340|access-date=September 19, 2021|archive-date=September 19, 2021|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20210919004712/https://go.gale.com/ps/i.do?p=AONE&u=wikipedia&id=GALE%7CA188646833&v=2.1&it=r&sid=bookmark-AONE&asid=6f5093df|url-status=live}}

The facade of the Bank of America Tower is, for the most part, composed of a glass curtain wall covering over {{Convert|700|e3ft2}}. The curtain wall includes vertical and sloped sections at the base, as well as double walls and screen walls in the upper stories.{{cite web|title=One Bryant Park|url=https://www.permasteelisagroup.com/project-detail?project=2248|url-status=live|access-date=September 12, 2021|website=Permasteelisa Group|archive-date=September 12, 2021|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20210912180635/https://www.permasteelisagroup.com/project-detail?project=2248}} The glass panels at the base are set between horizontal and vertical mullions. Each story has full-height panels with insulated glazing.{{cite news|date=April 20, 2008|title=Green Properties|pages=79–85|work=The New York Times|issn=0362-4331|id={{ProQuest|215465083}}}} The tops and bottoms of each panel are composed of fritted glass, but the middle of the panel is transparent to allow views of the surroundings.{{harvnb|Snoonian|2004|ps=.|p=45}} In total, 8,644 panels are used in the curtain wall.{{cite web|date=September 27, 2010|title=Bank of America Tower achieves LEED Platinum: Tishman plays key role|url=https://nyrej.com/bank-of-america-tower-achieves-leed-platinum-tishman-plays-key-role|url-status=live|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20210912152531/https://nyrej.com/bank-of-america-tower-achieves-leed-platinum-tishman-plays-key-role|archive-date=September 12, 2021|access-date=September 12, 2021|website=New York Real Estate Journals}} On upper stories, the mullions between windows appear to be vertical, but they run in a slight diagonal to accommodate the sloped facades.

The curtain wall was partially inspired by the New York Crystal Palace, a 19th-century exhibition building that occupied what is now Bryant Park.{{harvnb|Ornamental Metal Institute of New York|2016|ps=.|p=29}} Inspiration was also derived from the Durst family's collection of crystals. According to Richard Cook of Cookfox, the curtain wall was meant to express the idea that "the ideal of modern banking is open, clear, transparent".{{Cite news|last=Dunlap|first=David W.|date=2004-09-06|title=Even in an Age of Terror, Towers Use Glass Facades|language=en-US|work=The New York Times|url=https://www.nytimes.com/2004/09/06/nyregion/even-in-an-age-of-terror-towers-use-glass-facades.html|access-date=2021-10-02|issn=0362-4331}}

File:1_Bryant_Park_Sep_2021_02.jpg

The Bank of America Tower's curtain wall was specifically designed to meet LEED standards, allowing natural light into the lobby and offices during the daytime. Above the main entrance on 42nd Street and Sixth Avenue is an installation of building-integrated photovoltaics (BIPVs), which produce small amounts of energy for the building. Some spandrels on the eastern facade also contain BIPVs. The southeast-corner chamfer is designed with a double-glazed wall,{{harvnb|Snoonian|2004|ps=.|pp=44–45}} which deflects sunlight during the summer. The double-insulated curtain wall panels cover {{Convert|20825|ft2}}. The curtain wall allows 73 percent of visible light to enter but deflects all ultraviolet rays. The curtain wall design keeps heat out of the building during summer and keeps heat inside during winter.{{harvnb|Di Justo|2005|ps=.|p=29}}

Above the main entrance, there is an oxidized-bamboo canopy.{{cite web|date=March 11, 2021|title=One Bryant Park|url=https://cookfox.com/projects/one-bryant-park/|access-date=September 12, 2021|website=COOKFOX|archive-date=September 13, 2021|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20210913011155/https://cookfox.com/projects/one-bryant-park/|url-status=live}} Extending {{Convert|25|ft}} outward from the lobby, the entrance canopy continues indoors as the ceiling of the lobby.

{{main|Stephen Sondheim Theatre#Design}}

The facade of Henry Miller's Theatre (now the Stephen Sondheim Theatre) is protected by the New York City Landmarks Preservation Commission as an official city landmark. It is preserved on 124 West 43rd Street at the base of the Bank of America Tower.{{Cite news|last=Healy|first=Patrick|date=May 3, 2009|title=White Way Gets a 'Green' Theater|language=en-US|work=The New York Times|url=https://www.nytimes.com/2009/05/04/theater/04Green.html|access-date=September 12, 2021|issn=0362-4331|archive-date=September 12, 2021|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20210912152530/https://www.nytimes.com/2009/05/04/theater/04Green.html|url-status=live}} The facade was designed in the neo-Georgian style by architects Paul R. Allen and Ingalls & Hoffman.{{harvnb|Landmarks Preservation Commission|1987|ps=.|p=1}}{{cite magazine|last=Cornelius|first=Charles Over|date=Aug 1918|title=The Henry Miller Theatre, New York City|url=https://usmodernist.org/AR/AR-1918-08.pdf|journal=Architectural Record|volume=44|issue=3|pages=113–115|access-date=September 14, 2021|archive-date=July 19, 2020|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20200719065313/https://usmodernist.org/AR/AR-1918-08.PDF|url-status=live}} The facade measures about {{Convert|50|ft}} tall, {{Convert|86|ft}} wide, and {{Convert|4|ft}} thick.{{harvnb|Canale|Moskowitz|Kaufman|2008|ps=.|p=10}} Because of the theater's landmark status, the facade could not be damaged in any way, nor could it be removed temporarily.{{harvnb|Muller-Lust|2008|ps=.|p=4}} Furthermore, even though the theater was reconstructed as part of the Bank of America Tower's construction, the new theater could not be any taller than the old facade. The landmark facade was temporarily attached to a three-story steel support frame when the tower was built.{{cite web|date=September 13, 2010|title=Second Time Around|url=https://www.bdcnetwork.com/second-time-around|access-date=September 12, 2021|website=Building Design + Construction|archive-date=September 12, 2021|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20210912152539/https://www.bdcnetwork.com/second-time-around|url-status=live}}{{Cite news|last=McKinley|first=Jesse|date=December 19, 2004|title=The Theater Without a Stage|language=en-US|work=The New York Times|url=https://www.nytimes.com/2004/12/19/theater/newsandfeatures/the-theater-without-a-stage.html|access-date=September 13, 2021|issn=0362-4331|archive-date=September 13, 2021|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20210913165044/https://www.nytimes.com/2004/12/19/theater/newsandfeatures/the-theater-without-a-stage.html|url-status=live}} The theater facade protrudes from the glass curtain wall that surrounds it on all sides.{{Cite news|last=Pollak|first=Michael|date=August 8, 2004|title=F.Y.I.|language=en-US|work=The New York Times|url=https://www.nytimes.com/2004/08/08/nyregion/fyi-553174.html|access-date=September 13, 2021|issn=0362-4331|archive-date=September 13, 2021|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20210913165044/https://www.nytimes.com/2004/08/08/nyregion/fyi-553174.html|url-status=live}} Above the theater facade is a billboard attached to the curtain wall.

File:Anything Goes at Stephen Sondheim Theatre.jpg

The theater's ground-story facade consists of a water table made of granite, above which is a brick facade. There are five rectangular doorways at the center of the facade, each containing a recessed pair of metal doors; above these doorways are stone lintels with urn symbols at the center and rosettes to the far left and right. There is a marquee above the three center bays of the ground story.{{harvnb|Landmarks Preservation Commission|1987|ps=.|p=16}} {{As of|September 2010}}, the marquee displays the words "Stephen Sondheim", reflecting its rename from Henry Miller's Theatre.{{cite web|last=Jones|first=Kenneth|date=September 15, 2010|title=Bright Lights, White Lights: Marquee of Broadway's Sondheim Theatre Unveiled Sept. 15|url=http://www.playbill.com/article/bright-lights-white-lights-marquee-of-broadways-sondheim-theatre-unveiled-sept-15-com-171753|access-date=September 12, 2021|website=Playbill|archive-date=September 12, 2021|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20210912160818/https://www.playbill.com/article/bright-lights-white-lights-marquee-of-broadways-sondheim-theatre-unveiled-sept-15-com-171753|url-status=live}} The five center openings are flanked by a pair of segmental-arched gateways with wrought-iron gates; paneled keystones above their centers; and wrought-iron lanterns flanking each side. These gateways formerly were the theater's alleys.{{harvnb|Landmarks Preservation Commission|1987|ps=.|p=13}}

The rest of the landmark theater facade is made of red brick in common bond and is split into two end pavilions flanking five vertical bays. Each bay is delineated by projecting brick pilasters topped by decorated Corinthian-style capitals of terracotta. The five center bays have rectangular window openings at the second story, with stone keystones and brick voussoirs atop each window, as well as iron balconies curving outward. On the third story, there are three round-arched windows at the center, flanked by two blind openings with brick infill; they also have stone keystones and brick voussoirs. The end pavilions have arched brick niches at the second story and terracotta roundels on the third story. Above that is a terracotta frieze with the name "Henry Miller's Theatre" carved in the center and triangular pediments above the end pavilions. A parapet runs at the roof of the landmark facade.

Underneath the site is durable Hartland bedrock. The southern lot line is adjacent to the 42nd Street Shuttle's cut-and-cover tunnel. The eastern lot line is adjacent to the IND Sixth Avenue Line tunnel (used by the {{NYCS trains|Sixth}}), which was built using both cut-and-cover and mining. Before the tower was constructed, the contractors made two sets of borings to extract samples of the composition of the ground. The borings found that the rock profiles of the site varied widely. Around Sixth Avenue, there was generally competent rock at a depth of {{Convert|10|to|20|ft}}, but near the former stream bed on the western boundary, the rock had a dip extending about {{Convert|50|ft}} deep. The hard rock mostly consists of gneiss and schist, but there are rock joints that slope downward into the building's site.{{harvnb|Canale|Moskowitz|Kaufman|2008|ps=.|p=7}}

The foundation consists of spread footings under the building's columns. An existing foundation wall on the eastern lot line was repurposed into a retaining wall, which holds back the soil above the layers of rock. The retaining wall is stabilized by a set of pillars spaced every {{Convert|10|ft}} and measuring {{Convert|4|by|4|ft}}. A rock anchor is used to tie down each of these pillars. During construction, rock bolts were used to reinforce the cut-and-cover section of the subway tunnel under Sixth Avenue, while a combination of anchors and bolts was used to reinforce the mined section of the tunnel.{{harvnb|Canale|Moskowitz|Kaufman|2008|ps=.|p=8}} Seismometers were used to record movement around the tunnel.{{harvnb|Canale|Moskowitz|Kaufman|2008|ps=.|p=9}}

The Bank of America Tower's superstructure is built with steel and concrete. The mechanical core, containing the stairs and elevators, is surrounded by concrete shear walls that encase a light steel framework. The rest of the structure is made of steel.{{harvnb|Muller-Lust|2008|ps=.|p=3}}{{harvnb|Steel Institute of New York|2008|ps=.|p=25}} The mixture used in the superstructure's concrete is 45 percent slag, a byproduct of blast furnaces.{{cite magazine|last=Gonchar|first=Joann|date=Dec 2007|title=Building Even Better Concrete|url=https://usmodernist.org/AR/AR-2007-12.pdf|url-status=live|journal=Architectural Record|volume=195|pages=146|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20210914003523/https://usmodernist.org/AR/AR-2007-12.pdf|archive-date=September 14, 2021|access-date=September 14, 2021}}{{Cite news|last=Appelbaum|first=Alec|date=2008-11-19|title=Byproducts Becoming Cornerstones|language=en-US|work=The New York Times|url=https://www.nytimes.com/2008/11/19/business/19concrete.html|url-status=live|access-date=2021-09-14|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20210914140228/https://www.nytimes.com/2008/11/19/business/19concrete.html|archive-date=September 14, 2021|issn=0362-4331}} By using slag, the builders avoided emitting {{Convert|50,000|t|sp=us}} of carbon dioxide greenhouse gas, which would have been produced through the normal cement manufacturing process. The slag accounts for {{Convert|68000|yd3}} of the concrete used in the Bank of America Tower. In addition, 60 percent of the steel in the superstructure is recycled material.{{harvnb|Elliott|2010|ps=.|p=4}} A large proportion of the building's materials were sourced from within {{Convert|500|mi}} of New York City.{{cite web|title=One Bryant Park|url=http://www.vdassoc.com/projects/OFFICES-One.Bryant.Park.html|url-status=dead|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20080212194321/http://www.vdassoc.com/projects/OFFICES-One.Bryant.Park.html|archive-date=February 12, 2008|access-date=February 27, 2014|publisher=Van Deusen & Associates}}

Vertical loads from the center of the building are distributed into the tower's core. The steel beams rest directly on the tops of the two highest elevator banks, where the loads are relatively small. Two perpendicular supporting trusses are placed above the two lowest elevator banks to distribute the larger vertical loads from higher floors.{{harvnb|Muller-Lust|2008|ps=.|pp=3–4}} Diagonal columns are also used to carry vertical loads inward. The centers of the perimeter columns are spaced every {{Convert|20|ft}} and begin sloping inward at different heights. At locations where vertical and diagonal columns intersect, tie beams and connections are installed to counteract horizontal loads. Horizontal trusses are used at the 3rd, 4th, 11th, and 12th stories, where the southeast corner columns all slope inward; the trusses carry lateral loads from the columns to the mechanical core's shear walls. Box columns, measuring {{Convert|24|by|24|in}}, are used at the base to carry the higher loads of the upper stories.

The floor slabs are made of {{Convert|3|in|adj=on}} composite metal decks. The slab-to-slab distance, or the height between different stories' floor slabs, is {{Convert|14.5|ft}}.{{harvnb|Steel Institute of New York|2008|ps=.|p=27}} The perimeter of the tower stories is typically {{Convert|40|ft}} from the core, and the filler beams underneath the floor slabs are {{Convert|18|in}} deep. At the northeast and southwest corners, the perimeter is {{Convert|55|ft}} from the core, so these beams are cantilevered from the perimeter. The engineers considered using thicker filler beams and additional columns, but these were both rejected because they reduced the amount of available space. The tips of the cantilevered beams are connected vertically to distribute live loads among several stories. Above Stephen Sondheim Theatre, plate girders transfer the vertical loads to the side walls of the theater's auditorium. A Vierendeel truss was also installed so views from the facade's windows were not blocked.

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The screen walls above the tower's roof are cantilevered by beams measuring {{Convert|8|or|10|in}} thick and 8 inches wide. The beams were designed to be as thin as possible while also supporting the mechanical equipment.{{harvnb|Steel Institute of New York|2008|ps=.|pp=25, 27}} The tower's architectural spire is about {{Convert|300|ft}} tall. It contains a cylindrical mast that extends from the roof, where it measures {{Convert|58|in}} wide, and tapers to a width of {{Convert|26|in}} at its pinnacle. Sections of pipe, measuring {{Convert|12.75|in}} in diameter, are bolted to the mast in a triangular pattern. The spire is lit by LEDs,{{cite web|date=June 13, 2019|title=Bank of America Tower at One Bryant Park|url=https://cbbld.com/project/bank-of-america-tower-at-one-bryant-park-exterior-lighting/|url-status=live|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20210914170229/https://cbbld.com/project/bank-of-america-tower-at-one-bryant-park-exterior-lighting/|archive-date=September 14, 2021|access-date=September 14, 2021|website=CBB}} which the general public can control through Spireworks, a free app. The app allows five users at a time to control the lights for two-minute periods.{{cite web|last=Sugar|first=Rachel|date=July 12, 2017|title=Some New Yorkers can change the colors of skyscraper spires with this invite-only app|url=https://ny.curbed.com/2017/7/12/15958344/nyc-skyscraper-app-spireworks|url-status=live|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20210914170225/https://ny.curbed.com/2017/7/12/15958344/nyc-skyscraper-app-spireworks|archive-date=September 14, 2021|access-date=September 14, 2021|website=Curbed NY}}{{Cite news|last1=Ensign|first1=Rachel Louise|last2=Hoffman|first2=Liz|date=2017-07-11|title=Friends in High Places: Secret App Makes Manhattan Skyscrapers Change Color|language=en-US|work=Wall Street Journal|url=https://www.wsj.com/articles/friends-in-high-places-secret-app-makes-manhattan-skyscrapers-change-color-1499799251|url-status=live|access-date=2021-09-14|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20210914170227/https://www.wsj.com/articles/friends-in-high-places-secret-app-makes-manhattan-skyscrapers-change-color-1499799251|archive-date=September 14, 2021|issn=0099-9660}}

The tower has a cogeneration plant, which can provide up to seventy percent{{efn|One source states that the cogeneration plant could only generate fifty percent of the building's energy needs.}} of the building's energy requirements.{{cite web|date=June 27, 2012|title=Bank of America Tower at One Bryant Park / Cook + Fox Architects|url=https://www.archdaily.com/247880/bank-of-america-tower-at-one-bryant-park-cook-fox-architects|access-date=September 12, 2021|website=ArchDaily|archive-date=September 12, 2021|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20210912165616/https://www.archdaily.com/247880/bank-of-america-tower-at-one-bryant-park-cook-fox-architects|url-status=live}}{{cite web|last=Schuerman|first=Matthew|date=April 9, 2007|title=Developers Say They Can't Build Green|url=https://observer.com/2007/04/developers-say-they-cant-build-green/|access-date=September 14, 2021|website=Observer|archive-date=September 14, 2021|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20210914144208/https://observer.com/2007/04/developers-say-they-cant-build-green/|url-status=live}} It is variously cited as being capable of {{Convert|4.6|MW|adj=}}, {{Convert|5.1|MW}}, or {{Convert|5.4|MW}}. The cogeneration plant is powered by natural gas and is used to power the offices and the core mechanical systems, such as lights and elevators. Because of the building's high peak-hour energy use, the Durst Organization estimated that the cogeneration plant could provide 35 percent of the tower's energy needs during peak times.{{Cite news|last=Appelbaum|first=Alec|date=2009-02-24|title=Towers in Manhattan Gather Heat from Power Generators|language=en-US|work=The New York Times|url=https://www.nytimes.com/2009/02/25/realestate/commercial/25cogen.html|access-date=2021-09-14|issn=0362-4331|archive-date=September 14, 2021|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20210914144210/https://www.nytimes.com/2009/02/25/realestate/commercial/25cogen.html|url-status=live}} There is also a wind turbine on the roof's shorter spire. A very small proportion of the power is provided by a {{Convert|1000|gal|adj=on|sp=us}} tank of organic waste. On average, the tank receives {{Convert|2|ST|LT t}} of organic waste every day, which is turned into methane, thereby generating {{Convert|75|kW}} a day. The Bank of America Tower is also connected to the main New York City power grid but, unlike all other Midtown skyscrapers, it is linked to an electrical substation in Lower Manhattan.{{Cite news|last=Kleinfield|first=N. R.|date=2012-11-04|title=After Getting Back to Normal, Big Job Is Facing New Reality|language=en-US|work=The New York Times|url=https://www.nytimes.com/2012/11/04/nyregion/after-getting-back-to-normal-the-big-job-is-to-face-a-new-reality.html|access-date=2021-09-14|issn=0362-4331|archive-date=September 14, 2021|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20210914170228/https://www.nytimes.com/2012/11/04/nyregion/after-getting-back-to-normal-the-big-job-is-to-face-a-new-reality.html|url-status=live}}File:Snow Storm- January 21, 2014 (12074319583).jpgThere is an ice-storage plant in the basement, which creates ice at night, when energy costs are lower than in the daytime. It consists of 44 tanks that can each hold {{Convert|625|ft3}} of glycol. Water is combined with glycol and then kept inside the tanks at around {{Convert|27|F|C}}.{{Cite news|last1=Cardwell|first1=Diane|last2=Roberts|first2=Andrew|date=2017-06-03|title=The Biggest, Strangest 'Batteries'|language=en-US|work=The New York Times|url=https://www.nytimes.com/2017/06/03/business/energy-environment/biggest-batteries.html|access-date=2021-09-14|issn=0362-4331|archive-date=September 14, 2021|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20210914170225/https://www.nytimes.com/2017/06/03/business/energy-environment/biggest-batteries.html|url-status=live}} The air-conditioning system consists of various chillers ranging between {{Convert|850|and|1200|ST|LT t}}. The air-conditioning system is designed so different chillers operate only as necessary, thereby reducing energy consumption. For heating, the groundwater in the underlying bedrock is kept at a consistent {{Convert|53|F|C}}. Heat is drawn from the bedrock during the winter, while excess heat is absorbed into the bedrock during summer.

There are air-intake openings just above the top of the base.{{Efn|This is the eighth floor, which is just above the seven-story podium. The intake is variously cited as being {{convert|100|ft}} or {{convert|150|ft}} above ground level.}} Further air intake openings are placed {{Convert|850|ft}} above ground, near the roofline. These openings filter the air intake throughout the building, distribute it through the interior, and then filter the air again before ventilating it. The filters over the intake openings have a minimum efficiency reporting value of 15, making them among the most efficient filters on the MERV scale. The filtration systems are able to extract 95 percent of particulates, in addition to ozone and volatile organic compounds. This is in contrast to similar systems being manufactured around the time of the Bank of America Tower's construction, which only extracted 35 to 50 percent of particulates and minimal ozone or volatile organic compounds.

The Bank of America Tower is designed so it uses 45 percent less water from the New York City water supply system than conventional buildings of similar size. The tower contains a rooftop greywater system, which captures rainwater for reuse. When the building was being constructed, New York City received an average of {{Convert|48|to|49|in}} of rainfall every year, which amounted to an annual rainwater collection of {{convert|2.6|e6gal|L|abbr=unit|sp=us}}. Additionally, about {{Convert|5000|gal|sp=us}} of groundwater is collected daily. Four holding tanks, each with a capacity of {{Convert|60,000|gal|sp=us}}, are placed at different heights throughout the building.{{harvnb|Snoonian|2004|ps=.|p=44}} The rainwater is used for functions such as flushing the toilets; all of the building's 300 toilets contain dual-flush handles.{{cite magazine|last=Field|first=Anne|date=Jul 23, 2012|title=Landlords turn on green plumbing|volume=28|issue=30|page=13|id={{ProQuest|1030109582}}|journal=Crain's New York Business}} Only wastewater from the toilets is sent to the city's sewage system, while the rest is treated and recycled, reducing sewage outflows by 95 percent compared to similarly sized building. Also as a water-saving measures, none of the building's urinals use water. On average, each of the 200 urinals saves about {{Convert|40000|gal|L|sp=us}} of water annually.

File:1_Bryant_Park_Sep_2021_41.jpg

The tower includes three escalators and a total of 52 elevators.{{harvnb|Elliott|2010|ps=.|p=5}} Schindler Group manufactured the elevators and escalators. The elevators from the base to the tower stories are grouped in five elevator banks: two at the ground level, for general tenants, and three on the second story, for Bank of America workers only. Four of the elevator banks contain eight cabs each, while the fifth bank of elevators contains six cabs. The elevators contain a destination dispatch system, wherein passengers request their desired floor before entering the cab.{{Cite news|last=Bernstein|first=Fred A.|date=November 2, 2005|title=An Elevator to Your Floor, With No Local Stops|language=en-US|work=The New York Times|url=https://www.nytimes.com/2005/11/02/realestate/an-elevator-to-your-floor-with-no-local-stops.html|access-date=September 13, 2021|issn=0362-4331|archive-date=September 13, 2021|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20210913183838/https://www.nytimes.com/2005/11/02/realestate/an-elevator-to-your-floor-with-no-local-stops.html|url-status=live}}

The lobby is {{Convert|38|ft}} tall and is visible from Sixth Avenue. The elevator core and security checkpoints to the upper stories are next to the lobby. The lobby is decorated with materials such as Jerusalem stone and cream-colored leather paneling. About {{Convert|9000|ft2}} of Jerusalem stone was used.{{harvnb|Adams|2008|ps=.|p=117}} The floor of the lobby is made of white granite and contains air conditioning and radiant heating, while the west wall facing Sixth Avenue is clad in stone. The white granite was imported from Tamil Nadu in India and covered {{Convert|40000|ft2}} total, including {{Convert|25000|ft2}} of floor tiles.{{harvnb|Adams|2008|ps=.|p=112}} The lobby ceiling is made of carbonized bamboo. According to Cookfox, the lobby's design was intended to form "a layered connection to the public realm of Bryant Park".

Cookfox also used dark oxidized stainless steel for the lobby, in contrast to the lighter aluminum and stainless steel in public areas or the "warmer" colors used in the tower's core. The entrance to each elevator bank contains dark-steel doorways. A {{Convert|40|ft|4=-wide|adj=mid}} by {{Convert|16|ft|4=-tall|adj=mid}} arch marks the entrance to the general tenants' elevators on the north side of the lobby. Dark steel was also used for the surfaces of the security desks and turnstiles at the security checkpoints.{{harvnb|Ornamental Metal Institute of New York|2016|ps=.|p=30}} Structurally, the lobby is designed with columns that could withstand additional weight if one of the columns was damaged.

File:1 Bryant Park Sep 2021 20.jpg

The building's Urban Garden Room at 43rd Street and Sixth Avenue, north of the lobby, is open to the public as part of the city's privately owned public space (POPS) program.{{Cite news|last=Gardner|first=Ralph Jr. |date=January 10, 2011|title=A Hedge Grows in Midtown|language=en-US|work=Wall Street Journal|url=https://www.wsj.com/articles/SB10001424052748703667904576072022547532698|access-date=September 12, 2021|issn=0099-9660|archive-date=September 12, 2021|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20210912152536/https://www.wsj.com/articles/SB10001424052748703667904576072022547532698|url-status=live}} It was designed by Margie Ruddick and sculpted by her mother Dorothy Ruddick.{{Cite web|last=Holmes|first=Damian|date=November 19, 2009|title=Urban Garden inside Bank of America|url=https://worldlandscapearchitect.com/urban-garden-inside-bank-of-america/|access-date=September 12, 2021|website=World Landscape Architecture|language=en-US|archive-date=September 12, 2021|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20210912152530/https://worldlandscapearchitect.com/urban-garden-inside-bank-of-america/|url-status=live}} The room covers {{Convert|3500|ft2}} and is surrounded by a glass wall that separates it from the lobby.{{Cite news|last=Hughes|first=C. J.|date=2008-08-19|title=It May Be a Jungle Out There, but No Longer in the Lobby|language=en-US|work=The New York Times|url=https://www.nytimes.com/2008/08/20/business/20plants.html|access-date=2021-09-14|issn=0362-4331|archive-date=September 14, 2021|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20210914140228/https://www.nytimes.com/2008/08/20/business/20plants.html|url-status=live}} The room contains plants such as ferns, mosses, and lichen, some of which are planted on structures like a {{Convert|25|ft|4=-tall|adj=mid}} arch or a {{Convert|7|ft|4=-tall|adj=mid}} slab.{{cite web|last=Augustin|first=Sally|date=July 25, 2011|title=Places that Work: The Urban Garden Room|url=https://metropolismag.com/projects/places-that-work-the-urban-garden-room/|access-date=September 12, 2021|website=Metropolis|archive-date=September 12, 2021|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20210912152530/https://metropolismag.com/projects/places-that-work-the-urban-garden-room/|url-status=live}} Dorothy Ruddick had created the four sculptures in the space shortly before her death.{{cite magazine|last=Dorian|first=Donna|date=1 Feb 2012|title=Green giant: landscape designer Margie Ruddick brings the outside in|url=http://link.gale.com/apps/doc/A318901924/AONE?u=wikipedia&sid=bookmark-AONE&xid=8574d119|journal=Interior Design|volume=83|page=31+|number=2|access-date=September 19, 2021|archive-date=September 19, 2021|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20210919004713/https://go.gale.com/ps/i.do?p=AONE&u=wikipedia&id=GALE%7CA318901924&v=2.1&it=r&sid=bookmark-AONE&asid=8574d119|url-status=live}} The Durst Organization had wanted to create an actual garden, but it dismissed this idea because the sunlight would not have been sufficient to illuminate a garden. Shortly after the garden opened in 2010, about three-fourths of the plants were replaced because they had died.

The interior of Henry Miller's Theatre, which was not protected by landmark status, was completely rebuilt to comply with the Americans with Disabilities Act of 1990. Its interior was designed to meet LEED Gold standards. The rebuilt theater has 1,055 seats,{{cite web|title=Stephen Sondheim Theater / COOKFOX|url=https://www.archdaily.com/283575/stephen-sondheim-theater-cook-fox-architects|access-date=September 12, 2021|website=ArchDaily|date=October 22, 2012|archive-date=September 12, 2021|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20210912152531/https://www.archdaily.com/283575/stephen-sondheim-theater-cook-fox-architects|url-status=live}} compared to the 955 seats of the original theater. Designed by Cookfox, the theater has artifacts from the original structure.{{cite web|date=March 10, 2010|title=Stephen Sondheim|url=https://www.spotlightonbroadway.com/theater/stephen-sondheim|access-date=September 12, 2021|website=Spotlight on Broadway|archive-date=September 12, 2021|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20210912152539/https://www.spotlightonbroadway.com/theater/stephen-sondheim|url-status=live}} For the theater's reconstruction, Severud and Tishman had to excavate the theater as much as {{Convert|70|ft}} below street level, since the new theater could not rise above the old facade. The theater is acoustically isolated from the upper stories to avoid disrupting Bank of America's traders above.

There are several commercial spaces at the Bank of America Tower's base. One of these is a Burger & Lobster restaurant in the basement, first floor, and second floor, with an entrance from the pedestrian arcade that connects 42nd and 43rd Streets.{{cite web|last=Morabito|first=Greg|date=April 25, 2016|title=Burger & Lobster Expands, Market Diner Demolished, and More Intel|url=https://ny.eater.com/2016/4/25/11495400/burger-lobster-bryant-park|access-date=September 12, 2021|website=Eater NY|archive-date=September 12, 2021|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20210912180634/https://ny.eater.com/2016/4/25/11495400/burger-lobster-bryant-park|url-status=live}} The restaurant is designed with {{Convert|24|ft|4=-tall|adj=mid}} windows facing 43rd Street; a staircase connecting the entrance and second-floor dining room; a lobster sculpture; and red dining booths.{{cite news|date=April 27, 2016|title=Durst welcomes Britain's Burger & Lobster to One Bryant Park|url=https://rew-online.com/durst-welcomes-britains-burger-lobster-to-one-bryant-park/|access-date=September 12, 2021|website=Real Estate Weekly|archive-date=September 12, 2021|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20210912183642/https://rew-online.com/durst-welcomes-britains-burger-lobster-to-one-bryant-park/|url-status=live}}{{cite web|last=Izzo|first=Christina|date=April 25, 2016|title=Restaurant serving only burgers and lobster to open location in Bryant Park|url=https://www.timeout.com/newyork/blog/restaurant-serving-only-burgers-and-lobster-to-open-location-in-bryant-park-042516|access-date=September 12, 2021|website=Time Out New York|archive-date=September 12, 2021|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20210912180633/https://www.timeout.com/newyork/blog/restaurant-serving-only-burgers-and-lobster-to-open-location-in-bryant-park-042516|url-status=live}} A Bank of America branch is also located at 115 West 42nd Street.{{cite web|date=June 14, 2017|title=One Bryant Park|url=https://locators.bankofamerica.com/ny/newyork/financial-centers-new-york-16579.m.html|access-date=September 13, 2021|website=Bank of America|archive-date=February 5, 2018|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20180205030611/https://locators.bankofamerica.com/ny/newyork/financial-centers-new-york-16579.m.html|url-status=live}} There is also a Starbucks on the 43rd Street side.

File:42nd St Bway 7th Av td 06 - Condé Nast Building Subway.jpg

An enclosed pedestrian walkway, known as Anita's Way, runs through the western end of the building and connects 42nd and 43rd Streets.{{cite web|date=May 12, 2011|title=Anita's Way|url=https://www.nyc-arts.org/organizations/22200/anita-s-way|url-status=live|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20210913011152/https://www.nyc-arts.org/organizations/22200/anita-s-way|archive-date=September 13, 2021|access-date=September 13, 2021|website=NYC-ARTS}} Measuring {{Convert|30|ft|0|}} wide and 30 feet high, it serves as an entrance to Stephen Sondheim Theatre and as a performance space.{{cite web|date=March 11, 2021|title=Stephen Sondheim Theatre|url=https://cookfox.com/projects/stephen-sondheim-theatre/|url-status=live|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20210913011145/https://cookfox.com/projects/stephen-sondheim-theatre/|archive-date=September 13, 2021|access-date=September 13, 2021|website=COOKFOX}} The passageway is named after Anita Durst, Douglas Durst's daughter and a leader of arts organization chashama. The organization had occupied a site on 42nd Street that was demolished to make way for the Bank of America Tower.

Each of the office floors has a ceiling measuring {{Convert|9.5|ft}} high. The office stories use a raised floor structural system to allow utilities and mechanical systems to be built underneath the floors.{{harvnb|Architectural Lighting|2009|ps=.|p=55}} The finished office floor is about {{Convert|14|in}} above the floor slab. The office stories also contain dropped ceilings, above which are some of the mechanical systems.{{harvnb|Steel Institute of New York|2008|ps=.|p=26}} Air conditioning is pumped through the underfloor plenum system. The interior lighting system is designed to emphasize the southeast-corner chamfer at night. The upper stories span up to {{Convert|90000|ft2}}.

Bank of America's offices, spanning the first through 36th and the top floor, were designed by Gensler. The bank required 50 foot-candles of lighting for its offices, but conventional light fixtures could not do this without wasting energy. As a result, a custom lighting fixture was manufactured for the bank's offices, which could be controlled by a dimmer, though the fixtures could save energy regardless of the presence of a dimmer. Partitions between work cubicles are designed to be {{Convert|48|in}} tall, and furniture and carpets were designed with a "warm" brownish color scheme. The offices themselves are arranged in {{Convert|5|ft|4=-wide|adj=mid}} modules to align with the subdivisions of the facade and ceiling. For offices placed near the tower's perimeter, furniture and opaque partitions were arranged perpendicularly to the curtain wall. One-third of all the space in the building was devoted to the bank's trading floors in 2013.{{cite magazine|last=Roudman|first=Sam|date=July 29, 2013|title=Bank of America Tower and the LEED Ratings Racket|url=https://newrepublic.com/article/113942/bank-america-tower-and-leed-ratings-racket|access-date=September 14, 2021|magazine=The New Republic|archive-date=September 14, 2021|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20210914140229/https://newrepublic.com/article/113942/bank-america-tower-and-leed-ratings-racket|url-status=live}}{{cite magazine|last=Walsh|first=Bryan|date=August 14, 2013|title=The Surprisingly Large Energy Footprint of the Digital Economy [UPDATE]|url=https://science.time.com/2013/08/14/power-drain-the-digital-cloud-is-using-more-energy-than-you-think/|access-date=September 18, 2015|magazine=Time|archive-date=September 15, 2015|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20150915193443/http://science.time.com/2013/08/14/power-drain-the-digital-cloud-is-using-more-energy-than-you-think/|url-status=live}}

The Durst family had started acquiring property on the city block bounded by Broadway, Sixth Avenue, and 42nd and 43rd Streets in 1967, when Seymour Durst bought a building that housed White's Sea Food Restaurant.{{Cite news|last=Bagli|first=Charles V.|date=March 16, 1999|title=A Project 30 Years in the Making; Durst Tries to Revive Father's Dream, Decades Later|language=en-US|work=The New York Times|url=https://www.nytimes.com/1999/03/16/nyregion/project-30-years-making-durst-tries-revive-father-s-dream-decades-later.html|access-date=September 11, 2021|issn=0362-4331|archive-date=September 11, 2021|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20210911221036/https://www.nytimes.com/1999/03/16/nyregion/project-30-years-making-durst-tries-revive-father-s-dream-decades-later.html|url-status=live}} Seymour Durst planned to redevelop the area east of Times Square with office skyscrapers, but he canceled these plans in 1973 amid a declining office market.{{Cite news|last=Connolly|first=William G.|date=December 23, 1973|title=Durst Is Dropping Sites Assembled For Development In Midtown Area|language=en-US|work=The New York Times|url=https://www.nytimes.com/1973/12/23/archives/durst-is-dropping-sites-assembled-for-development-in-midtown-area.html|access-date=September 11, 2021|issn=0362-4331|archive-date=September 11, 2021|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20210911221036/https://www.nytimes.com/1973/12/23/archives/durst-is-dropping-sites-assembled-for-development-in-midtown-area.html|url-status=live}} Several other failed proposals followed for what would become 1 Bryant Park's site. One such proposal took place in the early 1980s, when Seymour Durst proposed selling his land to Joseph E. and Ralph Bernstein, but reneged after learning that the Bernsteins were acting on behalf of Philippine dictator Ferdinand Marcos, creating acrimony between the Dursts and the Bernsteins. Further proposals for the current site were made in 1987, when a tower for Morgan Stanley was proposed just before the Black Monday, and in 1990, when a building for Chemical Bank was proposed.

File:Nationaldebtclock.jpg.]]

Seymour Durst erected the National Debt Clock on one building at the site in 1989.{{cite news|last=Daniels|first=Lee A.|date=November 8, 1991|title=Chronicle|newspaper=The New York Times|url=https://www.nytimes.com/1991/11/08/style/chronicle-502291.html|access-date=February 2, 2017|issn=0362-4331|archive-date=February 20, 2017|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20170220060251/http://www.nytimes.com/1991/11/08/style/chronicle-502291.html|url-status=live}} By the next year, Seymour Durst had acquired 20 lots, including the Henry Miller Theater and the Hotel Diplomat. Though Seymour Durst died in 1995, his son Douglas Durst continued to acquire land on the block, developing 4 Times Square on the western half in the late 1990s. Douglas's daughter Anita convinced him to allow her arts organization chashama to temporarily use one of the empty storefronts on the site. In 1998, the New York City and state governments offered to condemn the remainder of the block via eminent domain so Durst could acquire the lots and develop a headquarters for Nasdaq there.{{Cite news|last=Bagli|first=Charles V.|date=February 26, 1999|title=Wall St. Fights Amex-Nasdaq Plan to Move|language=en-US|work=The New York Times|url=https://www.nytimes.com/1999/02/26/nyregion/wall-st-fights-amex-nasdaq-plan-to-move.html|access-date=September 11, 2021|issn=0362-4331|archive-date=September 11, 2021|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20210911222539/https://www.nytimes.com/1999/02/26/nyregion/wall-st-fights-amex-nasdaq-plan-to-move.html|url-status=live}} The Bernsteins filed a lawsuit against New York state to prevent their land from being seized through eminent domain.{{Cite news|last=Bagli|first=Charles V.|date=May 27, 2003|title=Bank of America Nears Agreement With Developer to Build 42nd Street Skyscraper|language=en-US|work=The New York Times|url=https://www.nytimes.com/2003/05/27/nyregion/bank-of-america-nears-agreement-with-developer-to-build-42nd-street-skyscraper.html|access-date=September 11, 2021|issn=0362-4331|archive-date=September 12, 2021|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20210912000517/https://www.nytimes.com/2003/05/27/nyregion/bank-of-america-nears-agreement-with-developer-to-build-42nd-street-skyscraper.html|url-status=live}} The Nasdaq plan was canceled the next year.{{Cite news|last=Grant|first=Peter|date=July 15, 1999|title=Nasdaq-Amex skips Times Sq. big dig|pages=300|work=New York Daily News|issn=2692-1251|via=newspapers.com|url=https://www.newspapers.com/clip/85154231/nasdaq-amex-skips-times-sq-big/|access-date=September 11, 2021|archive-date=September 11, 2021|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20210911221033/https://www.newspapers.com/clip/85154231/nasdaq-amex-skips-times-sq-big/|url-status=live}}

In 1999, the mayoral administration of Rudy Giuliani encouraged Douglas Durst to build a {{Convert|2|e6ft2|adj=on}} tower and a 1,500-seat Broadway theater on the site. At the time, Durst had acquired 85 percent of the city block. Joseph Bernstein owned four lots on 42nd Street and Sixth Avenue, while Susan Rosenberg owned a lot on the southwest corner of 43rd Street and Sixth Avenue. In addition, the Brandt family owned the Pix Theater and Richard M. Maidman owned the Remington Building on 42nd Street. Durst began negotiating with the Brandts for their land,{{Cite news|last=Bagli|first=Charles V.|date=January 13, 2000|title=Office Tower Planned at Historic Corner: 5th and 42nd|language=en-US|work=The New York Times|url=https://www.nytimes.com/2000/01/13/nyregion/office-tower-planned-at-historic-corner-5th-and-42nd.html|access-date=September 11, 2021|issn=0362-4331|archive-date=September 11, 2021|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20210911221035/https://www.nytimes.com/2000/01/13/nyregion/office-tower-planned-at-historic-corner-5th-and-42nd.html|url-status=live}} and he started discussing with real estate company Tishman Speyer to jointly develop the site.{{Cite news|last=Grant|first=Peter|date=September 30, 1999|title=Durst, Speyer talk Times Square deal|pages=42|work=New York Daily News|issn=2692-1251|via=newspapers.com|url=https://www.newspapers.com/clip/85154899/durst-speyer-talk-times-square-deal/|access-date=September 11, 2021|archive-date=September 11, 2021|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20210911221037/https://www.newspapers.com/clip/85154899/durst-speyer-talk-times-square-deal/|url-status=live}} By late 2000, Durst and Tishman Speyer were nearing an agreement to develop a tower on the site.{{Cite news|date=October 12, 2000|title=Deal Near For Tower in Midtown|pages=42|work=Newsday|issn=2574-5298|via=newspapers.com|url=https://www.newspapers.com/clip/85150562/deal-near-for-tower-in-midtown/|access-date=September 11, 2021|archive-date=September 11, 2021|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20210911221039/https://www.newspapers.com/clip/85150562/deal-near-for-tower-in-midtown/|url-status=live}} The planned office tower would be called "1 Bryant Park", though Durst was still negotiating to acquire the rest of the block.

By early 2001, only the Bernstein, Maidman, and Rosenberg lots remained to be acquired, though Maidman and Bernstein were loath to sell to Durst.{{Cite news|last=Bagli|first=Charles V.|date=June 27, 2001|title=Fighting for Dominance on a Stretch of 42nd Street|language=en-US|work=The New York Times|url=https://www.nytimes.com/2001/06/27/nyregion/fighting-for-dominance-on-a-stretch-of-42nd-street.html|access-date=September 11, 2021|issn=0362-4331|archive-date=September 11, 2021|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20210911192145/https://www.nytimes.com/2001/06/27/nyregion/fighting-for-dominance-on-a-stretch-of-42nd-street.html|url-status=live}} This prompted the government of New York state, under the Empire State Development Corporation, to consider acquiring the remaining land via eminent domain.{{cite magazine|last=Croghan|first=Lore|date=January 29, 2001|title=Developers under the gun|volume=17|issue=5|page=1|id={{ProQuest|219115316}}|journal=Crain's New York Business}} Bernstein's Triline Trading filed a lawsuit against the Empire State Development Corporation in April 2001. Triline alleged that the state was conspiring with Durst to depress the value of the Bernstein plots. The Maidmans, meanwhile, were trying to redevelop their building at 113 West 42nd Street into a hotel designed by Isaac Mizrahi. The family had torn up a contract that would have allowed Durst an option to buy their property in exchange for a billboard on Maidman's building. Durst filed complaints against Maidman in June 2001, alleging that debris from Maidman's building was falling onto land that Durst owned, causing "considerable damage".

Durst's failed attempts to buy out Bernstein and Maidman resulted in two non-contiguous plots: the corner of 42nd Street and Sixth Avenue, completely surrounded by Bernstein's plots to the north and west, as well as the remainder of the block, which encircled 113 West 42nd Street between Bernstein's property to the east and 4 Times Square to the west. 1 Bryant Park, which would occupy the plot around 113 West 42nd Street, was to cost $600 million and contain {{Convert|1.2|e6ft2}}. Durst also planned to build a 30-story hotel at the corner of 42nd Street and Sixth Avenue for $60 million.{{cite magazine|last=Sandlund|first=Chris|date=October 15, 2001|title=A wave of development rolls along 42nd Street|volume=17|issue=42|page=33|id={{ProQuest|219156849}}|journal=Crain's New York Business}} Despite the September 11 attacks later in 2001, Durst proceeded with plans to build 1 Bryant Park to designs by Fox & Fowle Architects.{{Cite news|last=Holusha|first=John|date=October 7, 2001|title=Office-Building Plans Come Off the Shelf|language=en-US|work=The New York Times|url=https://www.nytimes.com/2001/10/07/realestate/office-building-plans-come-off-the-shelf.html|access-date=September 11, 2021|issn=0362-4331|archive-date=September 11, 2021|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20210911192140/https://www.nytimes.com/2001/10/07/realestate/office-building-plans-come-off-the-shelf.html|url-status=live}} Shortly after the attacks, Durst told city and state officials that he was willing to develop the 1 Bryant Park site, even if it meant a lower rate of return.{{cite news|last=Starkman|first=Dean|date=September 19, 2001|title=Developers Scramble to Gauge Impact of Attacks --- Projects That Once Were In Doubt Now Appear To Be a Lot More Viable|page=B8|work=Wall Street Journal|issn=0099-9660|id={{ProQuest|398842042}}}} Durst proposed that the state condemn Bernstein's and Maidman's lots to increase the size of the skyscraper he wished to build. State officials expressed interest in this plan. Joseph Bernstein also withdrew his lawsuit against the state.

In December 2001, Richard Maidman agreed to sell his building to Durst, who had offered $13 million.{{Cite news|last=Wax|first=Alan J.|date=December 6, 2001|title=Durst Purchases Maidman Building|pages=298|work=Newsday|issn=2574-5298|via=newspapers.com|url=https://www.newspapers.com/clip/85154987/durst-purchases-maidman-buildingalan/|access-date=September 11, 2021|archive-date=September 11, 2021|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20210911221036/https://www.newspapers.com/clip/85154987/durst-purchases-maidman-buildingalan/|url-status=live}}{{Cite news|last=Bagli|first=Charles V.|date=December 6, 2001|title=Sale of Building on 42nd Street Brings 30-Year Feud to an End|language=en-US|work=The New York Times|url=https://www.nytimes.com/2001/12/06/nyregion/sale-of-building-on-42nd-street-brings-30-year-feud-to-an-end.html|access-date=September 11, 2021|issn=0362-4331|archive-date=September 11, 2021|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20210911222542/https://www.nytimes.com/2001/12/06/nyregion/sale-of-building-on-42nd-street-brings-30-year-feud-to-an-end.html|url-status=live}} Though Maidman's building was in the process of being converted to a hotel, Maidman said he was prompted to sell during the city's recovery from the September 11 attacks, saying that he did not wish to prevent office space from being developed. Durst had already received $115 million in credit from the Bank of New York and other lenders, which in theory allowed him to start demolishing the site before a tenant had been secured or a construction loan had been obtained. Susan Rosenberg continued to occupy the corner of Sixth Avenue and 43rd Street through 2003, though she was willing to enter into a contract with Durst to sell the building there. However, Rosenberg said she wanted to be the last tenant to sell. Durst negotiated with Joseph Bernstein who, along with some partners, owned the remaining parcels on the block.{{Cite news|last=Bagli|first=Charles V.|date=December 19, 2003|title=Durst Gets Land to Build Tower Near Times Square|language=en-US|work=The New York Times|url=https://www.nytimes.com/2003/12/19/nyregion/durst-gets-land-to-build-tower-near-times-square.html|access-date=September 11, 2021|issn=0362-4331|archive-date=September 11, 2021|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20210911221039/https://www.nytimes.com/2003/12/19/nyregion/durst-gets-land-to-build-tower-near-times-square.html|url-status=live}} Fox & Fowle were still the architects of the proposed tower through at least early 2003.{{Cite news|date=March 30, 2003|title=POSTINGS: Opens Own Architecture Office; Fox Departs Fox & Fowle|language=en-US|work=The New York Times|url=https://www.nytimes.com/2003/03/30/realestate/postings-opens-own-architecture-office-fox-departs-fox-fowle.html|access-date=September 11, 2021|issn=0362-4331|archive-date=July 29, 2018|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20180729051724/https://www.nytimes.com/2003/03/30/realestate/postings-opens-own-architecture-office-fox-departs-fox-fowle.html|url-status=live}}

Meanwhile, by March 2003, Bank of America was looking for a new headquarters for its operations in Midtown, which would allow the bank to consolidate its New York City offices from several locations. One site under consideration was Durst's lot at Bryant Park, though the bank was also discussing with other developers including Brookfield Properties.{{Cite news|last=Bagli|first=Charles V.|date=March 12, 2003|title=Bank of America Is Scouting Midtown as Site for New Headquarters|language=en-US|work=The New York Times|url=https://www.nytimes.com/2003/03/12/nyregion/bank-of-america-is-scouting-midtown-as-site-for-new-headquarters.html|access-date=September 11, 2021|issn=0362-4331|archive-date=September 11, 2021|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20210911221033/https://www.nytimes.com/2003/03/12/nyregion/bank-of-america-is-scouting-midtown-as-site-for-new-headquarters.html|url-status=live}} By May 2003, Bank of America was close to signing an agreement with Durst to occupy half the proposed office tower.{{Cite news|date=May 28, 2003|title=Bank Close To Deal For $1B Tower In Midtown|pages=45|work=Newsday|issn=2574-5298|via=newspapers.com|url=https://www.newspapers.com/clip/85161173/bank-close-to-deal-for-1b-tower-in/|access-date=September 11, 2021|archive-date=September 12, 2021|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20210912000518/https://www.newspapers.com/clip/85161173/bank-close-to-deal-for-1b-tower-in/|url-status=live}} The city government had supported the construction of the tower, while the state government was considering condemning the remaining land. This drew opposition from Rosenberg and from Bernstein's partnership, who said they would rather negotiate with Durst than have their property seized by condemnation. Further, Bernstein was also planning to redevelop his property with a 30-story hotel and wished to offer Durst $40 million for the corner of 42nd Street and Sixth Avenue.{{Cite news|last=Bagli|first=Charles V.|date=June 4, 2003|title=2 Property Owners Object to Plan For Skyscraper Near Times Sq.|language=en-US|work=The New York Times|url=https://www.nytimes.com/2003/06/04/nyregion/2-property-owners-object-to-plan-for-skyscraper-near-times-sq.html|access-date=September 11, 2021|issn=0362-4331|archive-date=September 12, 2021|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20210912000518/https://www.nytimes.com/2003/06/04/nyregion/2-property-owners-object-to-plan-for-skyscraper-near-times-sq.html|url-status=live}}

In mid-2003, Durst announced he would request $650 million in tax-free Liberty bonds, allocated for September 11 recovery efforts, to finance the building's construction. This request, along with a similar one for the New York Times Building three blocks southwest, received public criticism.{{Cite news|last=Bagli|first=Charles V.|date=September 5, 2003|title=Plans to Use Tax-Free Bonds for Midtown Tower Cause a Stir|language=en-US|work=The New York Times|url=https://www.nytimes.com/2003/09/05/nyregion/plans-to-use-tax-free-bonds-for-midtown-tower-cause-a-stir.html|access-date=September 11, 2021|issn=0362-4331|archive-date=September 12, 2021|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20210912000520/https://www.nytimes.com/2003/09/05/nyregion/plans-to-use-tax-free-bonds-for-midtown-tower-cause-a-stir.html|url-status=live}} At a hearing the September, members of the public expressed their opposition to the usage of tax-free bonds for the project.{{Cite news|last=Bagli|first=Charles V.|date=September 30, 2003|title=Bonds for a Midtown Skyscraper Bring Out Supporters and Critics|language=en-US|work=The New York Times|url=https://www.nytimes.com/2003/09/30/nyregion/bonds-for-a-midtown-skyscraper-bring-out-supporters-and-critics.html|access-date=September 11, 2021|issn=0362-4331|archive-date=September 12, 2021|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20210912000517/https://www.nytimes.com/2003/09/30/nyregion/bonds-for-a-midtown-skyscraper-bring-out-supporters-and-critics.html|url-status=live}}{{Cite news|last=Croghan|first=Lore|date=September 30, 2003|title=Liberty Bonds battle|pages=58|work=New York Daily News|issn=2692-1251|via=newspapers.com|url=https://www.newspapers.com/clip/85163449/liberty-bonds-battlelore-croghan/|access-date=September 12, 2021|archive-date=September 12, 2021|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20210912000517/https://www.newspapers.com/clip/85163449/liberty-bonds-battlelore-croghan/|url-status=live}} Some opponents criticized Durst's donations to New York governor George Pataki, which they saw as corruption. Other critics said the bonds should be used for projects in Lower Manhattan, which was more heavily affected by the attacks, instead of Midtown.{{Cite news|date=December 8, 2005|title=His Midtown Plan Got a Federal Boost|pages=48|work=New York Daily News|issn=2692-1251|via=newspapers.com|url=https://www.newspapers.com/clip/85227824/his-midtown-plan-got-a-federal-boost/|access-date=September 13, 2021|archive-date=September 13, 2021|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20210913011144/https://www.newspapers.com/clip/85227824/his-midtown-plan-got-a-federal-boost/|url-status=live}} The city's Industrial Development Agency approved the bonds anyway.{{Cite news|date=October 1, 2003|title=Liberty Bonds For Bank of America|pages=45|work=Newsday|issn=2574-5298|via=newspapers.com|url=https://www.newspapers.com/clip/85163479/liberty-bonds-for-bank-of-america/|access-date=September 12, 2021|archive-date=September 12, 2021|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20210912000517/https://www.newspapers.com/clip/85163479/liberty-bonds-for-bank-of-america/|url-status=live}}{{Cite news|last=Croghan|first=Lore|date=October 1, 2003|title=From Lions to Lemurs|pages=46|work=New York Daily News|issn=2692-1251|via=newspapers.com|url=https://www.newspapers.com/clip/85163573/from-lions-to-lemurslore-croghan/|access-date=September 12, 2021|archive-date=September 12, 2021|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20210912000518/https://www.newspapers.com/clip/85163573/from-lions-to-lemurslore-croghan/|url-status=live}} Bernstein spoke against the planned use of eminent domain to seize his land.{{Cite news|last=Bagli|first=Charles V.|date=November 21, 2003|title=Hearing Splits on Public Help For a Proposed Office Tower|language=en-US|work=The New York Times|url=https://www.nytimes.com/2003/11/21/nyregion/hearing-splits-on-public-help-for-a-proposed-office-tower.html|access-date=September 11, 2021|issn=0362-4331|archive-date=September 12, 2021|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20210912000518/https://www.nytimes.com/2003/11/21/nyregion/hearing-splits-on-public-help-for-a-proposed-office-tower.html|url-status=live}} The New York state government told Durst it could use eminent domain on the remaining lots, even though the land to be condemned was not in a "blighted" area, if he could sign an anchor tenant for the planned building.{{Cite news|last=Pristin|first=Terry|date=2006-01-18|title=Developers Can't Imagine a World Without Eminent Domain|language=en-US|work=The New York Times|url=https://www.nytimes.com/2006/01/18/realestate/developers-cant-imagine-a-world-without-eminent-domain.html|access-date=2021-09-14|issn=0362-4331|archive-date=September 14, 2021|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20210914144211/https://www.nytimes.com/2006/01/18/realestate/developers-cant-imagine-a-world-without-eminent-domain.html|url-status=live}}

Durst and Bank of America announced in December 2003 that they would jointly develop a 51-story tower at 1 Bryant Park, to be designed by Cookfox.{{Cite news|last=Croghan|first=Lore|date=December 23, 2003|title=Bank signs deal|pages=52|work=New York Daily News|issn=2692-1251|via=newspapers.com|url=https://www.newspapers.com/clip/85144535/bank-signs-deallore-croghan/|access-date=September 11, 2021|archive-date=September 11, 2021|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20210911192147/https://www.newspapers.com/clip/85144535/bank-signs-deallore-croghan/|url-status=live}}{{cite news|last=Weinstein|first=Michael|date=December 23, 2003|title=In Brief: B of A Plans for Big Apple Unveiled|page=20|work=The American Banker|id={{ProQuest|243703277}}}} The bank would occupy about half of the building's planned {{Convert|2.1|e6ft2}} of office space. Shortly afterward, Bernstein and his partners agreed to sell their land for $46 million, or {{Convert|384|$/ft2}}, to Durst and Bank of America.{{Cite news|last=Padgett|first=Tania|date=December 20, 2003|title=Purchase Boosts Midtown Tower Plan|pages=28|work=Newsday|issn=2574-5298|via=newspapers.com|url=https://www.newspapers.com/clip/85162881/purchase-boosts-midtown-tower/|access-date=September 11, 2021|archive-date=September 12, 2021|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20210912000517/https://www.newspapers.com/clip/85162881/purchase-boosts-midtown-tower/|url-status=live}} Only the corner lot at 43rd Street and Sixth Avenue remained to be acquired. The announcement of Bank of America's tenancy had spurred interest in office space leasing among smaller companies,{{Cite news|last=Holusha|first=John|date=January 11, 2004|title=The Office Forecast: Lukewarm|language=en-US|work=The New York Times|url=https://www.nytimes.com/2004/01/11/realestate/the-office-forecast-lukewarm.html|access-date=September 13, 2021|issn=0362-4331|archive-date=September 13, 2021|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20210913165046/https://www.nytimes.com/2004/01/11/realestate/the-office-forecast-lukewarm.html|url-status=live}} as well as investment in the stretch of 42nd Street between Bryant Park and Times Square.{{cite magazine|last=Quittner|first=Jeremy|date=January 17, 2005|title=42nd St.'s midsection expands|volume=21|issue=3|page=34|id={{ProQuest|219156071}}|journal=Crain's New York Business}} 1 Bryant Park was also to be one of several buildings around Times Square being developed for financial services companies.{{Cite news|last=Holusha|first=John|date=November 3, 2004|title=Sleaze-Free Times Squareas a New Financial Center|language=en-US|work=The New York Times|url=https://www.nytimes.com/2004/11/03/business/sleazefree-times-squareas-a-new-financial-center.html|access-date=September 13, 2021|issn=0362-4331|archive-date=September 13, 2021|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20210913183838/https://www.nytimes.com/2004/11/03/business/sleazefree-times-squareas-a-new-financial-center.html|url-status=live}} Durst notified the operators of Henry Miller's Theatre that the theater would have to be closed and demolished to make way for 1 Bryant Park's construction.{{Cite news|last=Weber|first=Bruce|date=October 29, 2003|title=A Theater Closing, A Hit Show In the Cold|language=en-US|work=The New York Times|url=https://www.nytimes.com/2003/10/29/theater/a-theater-closing-a-hit-show-in-the-cold.html|access-date=September 12, 2021|issn=0362-4331|archive-date=September 12, 2021|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20210912152529/https://www.nytimes.com/2003/10/29/theater/a-theater-closing-a-hit-show-in-the-cold.html|url-status=live}} Consequently, the old theater closed in January 2004.{{Cite news|last=Simonson|first=Robert|date=January 11, 2004|title=THEATER; Broadway Gives Its Regards To Itself|language=en-US|work=The New York Times|url=https://www.nytimes.com/2004/01/11/theater/theater-broadway-gives-its-regards-to-itself.html|access-date=September 13, 2021|issn=0362-4331|archive-date=September 13, 2021|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20210913165048/https://www.nytimes.com/2004/01/11/theater/theater-broadway-gives-its-regards-to-itself.html|url-status=live}} By that month, Durst had acquired the final property and was planning to move the National Debt Clock.{{Cite news|last=Pollak|first=Michael|date=January 25, 2004|title=F.Y.I.|language=en-US|work=The New York Times|url=https://www.nytimes.com/2004/01/25/nyregion/fyi-091120.html|access-date=September 13, 2021|issn=0362-4331|archive-date=September 13, 2021|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20210913183837/https://www.nytimes.com/2004/01/25/nyregion/fyi-091120.html|url-status=live}}

File:BankOfAmericaTowerSite.jpgDurst and Bank of America received final approval to issue Liberty Bonds for the building's construction in February 2004.{{cite news|last=McDonald|first=Michael|date=11 Feb 2004|title=BOA-Durst Group Gets Final OK for Liberty Deal|pages=28|work=Bond Buyer|id={{ProQuest|407025951}}}} Because of the high cost of steel during early 2004, the Durst Organization decided not to proceed with construction until later that year.{{cite magazine|last=Haughney|first=Christine|date=May 31, 2004|title=Costs blindside builders, subs|volume=20|issue=22|page=1|id={{ProQuest|219185910}}|journal=Crain's New York Business}} Meanwhile, all tenants were obliged to move out by that February, with demolition to begin that May. A groundbreaking ceremony for the building was hosted on August 2, 2004.{{Cite news|last=Polgreen|first=Lydia|date=August 3, 2004|title=City Ponders Financial Costs Of Terror Alert|language=en-US|work=The New York Times|url=https://www.nytimes.com/2004/08/03/nyregion/city-ponders-financial-costs-of-terror-alert.html|access-date=September 13, 2021|issn=0362-4331|archive-date=September 13, 2021|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20210913143703/https://www.nytimes.com/2004/08/03/nyregion/city-ponders-financial-costs-of-terror-alert.html|url-status=live}}{{Cite news|last=Croghan|first=Lore|date=August 3, 2004|title=Groundbreaking event for Bank of America|pages=48|work=New York Daily News|issn=2692-1251|via=newspapers.com|url=https://www.newspapers.com/clip/85230035/groundbreaking-event-for-bank-of/|access-date=September 13, 2021|archive-date=September 13, 2021|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20210913031134/https://www.newspapers.com/clip/85230035/groundbreaking-event-for-bank-of/|url-status=live}} The groundbreaking ceremony occurred the day that terror threats were made against some of the city's major banks and finance companies, leading Pataki to say, "This is probably the best day we could choose to break ground." Shortly after the groundbreaking, a frame was built to support the facade of Henry Miller's Theatre. The theater's interior was demolished using manual tools, and the contractors installed sensors to detect any vibrations on the facade.

After construction began, the Durst Organization reported a high amount of demand for the remaining office space. Though Bank of America's space would cost the bank less than {{Convert|100|$/ft2}}, prospective tenants offered to move into the remaining space even at rents of over $100 per square foot.{{cite magazine|last=Garmhausen|first=Steve|date=October 18, 2004|title=Three new towers tell a tale of two cities|volume=20|issue=42|page=23|id={{ProQuest|219210892}}|journal=Crain's New York Business}} Among those was law firm Cravath, Swaine & Moore which, in early 2005, expressed an interest in relocating to the building.{{cite magazine|last=Haughney|first=Christine|date=April 18, 2005|title=New BofA HQ gets early-bird interest|volume=21|issue=16|page=12|id={{ProQuest|219123997}}|journal=Crain's New York Business}} Bank of America itself was looking for several hundred thousand square feet near its new offices.{{Cite news|last=Pristin|first=Terry|date=February 22, 2006|title=A New Look and Higher Expectations for a 70's-Style Building in Midtown|language=en-US|work=The New York Times|url=https://www.nytimes.com/2006/02/22/realestate/commercial/a-new-look-and-higher-expectations-for-a-70sstyle.html|access-date=September 14, 2021|issn=0362-4331|archive-date=September 14, 2021|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20210914003431/https://www.nytimes.com/2006/02/22/realestate/commercial/a-new-look-and-higher-expectations-for-a-70sstyle.html|url-status=live}}{{cite magazine|last=Satow|first=Julie|date=September 26, 2005|title=Mobbing midtown|volume=21|issue=39|page=3|id={{ProQuest|219118916}}|journal=Crain's New York Business}} In early 2006, Bank of America leased another {{Convert|522,000|ft2}} of space, bringing its total occupancy in the building to {{Convert|1.6|e6ft2}}.{{Cite news|last=Pristin|first=Terry|date=2006-03-03|title=Metro Briefing; New York: Manhattan: Bank Expansion A Sign Of Growing Presence|language=en-US|work=The New York Times|url=https://www.nytimes.com/2006/03/03/nyregion/metro-briefing-new-york-manhattan-bank-expansion-a-sign-of-growing.html|access-date=2021-09-14|issn=0362-4331|archive-date=September 14, 2021|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20210914012151/https://www.nytimes.com/2006/03/03/nyregion/metro-briefing-new-york-manhattan-bank-expansion-a-sign-of-growing.html|url-status=live}} Bank of America planned to operate six trading floors of between {{Convert|43000|and|90000|ft2}}, as well as the first through 36th stories and the top floor. At the time, only {{Convert|450000|ft2}} of space remained unoccupied.{{cite magazine|last=Serwer|first=Jesse|date=Apr 2006|title=Bank of America Adds Space At One Bryant Park|volume=25|issue=4|page=10|id={{ProQuest|216343760}}|journal=Real Estate New York}}

Law firm Akin Gump Strauss Hauer & Feld had leased some space by late 2006,{{Cite news|last=Levitt|first=David M.|date=2006-10-06|title=Manhattan sees office vacancies hit bottom|pages=B1, [https://www.newspapers.com/clip/85287424/manhattan-real-estate/ B2]|work=The Record|via=newspapers.com|url=https://www.newspapers.com/clip/85287360/manhattan-sees-office-vacancies-hit/|access-date=2021-09-14|archive-date=September 14, 2021|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20210914012151/https://www.newspapers.com/clip/85287360/manhattan-sees-office-vacancies-hit/|url-status=live}}{{cite web|last=Koblin|first=John|date=January 15, 2007|title=1 Bryant Park Nears Full; Lever House at $150 a Foot|url=https://observer.com/2007/01/1-bryant-park-nears-full-lever-house-at-150-a-foot/|access-date=September 14, 2021|website=Observer|archive-date=September 14, 2021|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20210914012150/https://observer.com/2007/01/1-bryant-park-nears-full-lever-house-at-150-a-foot/|url-status=live}} paying more than $100 per square foot.{{Cite news|last=Pristin|first=Terry|date=2009-04-15|title=Developers Struggle to Fill Manhattan Office Space|language=en-US|work=The New York Times|url=https://www.nytimes.com/2009/04/15/realestate/commercial/15empty.html|access-date=2021-09-14|issn=0362-4331|archive-date=September 14, 2021|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20210914012151/https://www.nytimes.com/2009/04/15/realestate/commercial/15empty.html|url-status=live}} Among the other tenants at the Bank of America Tower was Generation Investment Management, a firm cofounded by environmentalist and former U.S. vice president Al Gore.{{Cite news|date=2007-11-15|title=Gore's green firm comes to NY|pages=18|work=Newsday|issn=2574-5298|via=newspapers.com|url=https://www.newspapers.com/clip/85287799/gores-green-firm-comes-to-ny/|access-date=2021-09-14|archive-date=September 14, 2021|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20210914012150/https://www.newspapers.com/clip/85287799/gores-green-firm-comes-to-ny/|url-status=live}}{{cite magazine|last=Agovino|first=Theresa|date=Nov 19, 2007|title=Gore firm finds bit of green in NYC|volume=23|issue=47|page=1|id={{ProQuest|219193215}}|journal=Crain's New York Business}} By the middle of that year, the building was almost fully pre-leased, with average asking rents of {{Convert|150|$/ft2}}.{{cite magazine|last=Satow|first=Julie|date=Jun 18, 2007|title=Sky-high rents at midtown trophies|volume=23|issue=25|page=25|id={{ProQuest|219196610}}|journal=Crain's New York Business}} Durst and Bank of America announced in May 2007 that it planned to refund the $650 million of Liberty Bonds that had been distributed for the building's construction.{{cite news|last=Philips|first=Ted|date=May 7, 2007|title=Bank of America, Durst Organization To Refund $650M of Liberty Bonds|pages=48|work=Bond Buyer|id={{ProQuest|407072330}}}} Though the refund was approved,{{cite news|last=Philips|first=Ted|date=9 May 2007|title=N.Y.C. Agencies OK $924M, Including $650M Liberty Bond Deal|pages=36|work=Bond Buyer|id={{ProQuest|407068531}}}} the 2008 financial crisis delayed the refinancing for over a year.{{cite news|last=Philips|first=Ted|date=15 Oct 2008|title=Manhattan Tower's $650M Liberty Bond Refunding on Hold|pages=3|work=Bond Buyer|id={{ProQuest|407092337}}}} The building was topped out with a ceremony on June 26, 2007.{{cite press release|title=Topping Out Party for Bank of America Tower at One Bryant Park|website=The Durst Organization|date=July 25, 2007|url=https://www.durst.org/news_items/630|access-date=September 14, 2021|archive-date=September 14, 2021|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20210914170227/https://www.durst.org/news_items/630|url-status=live}} A construction container fell from a crane in October 2007, causing damage to the tower and injuring eight people.{{cite news|date=October 17, 2007|title=Crane's Bucket Falls 53 Stories In Midtown|work=WNBC|url=http://www.wnbc.com/news/14361035/detail.html|url-status=dead|access-date=October 19, 2007|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20081004165800/http://www.wnbc.com/news/14361035/detail.html|archive-date=October 4, 2008}}{{Cite news|last1=Sullivan|first1=John|last2=Eligon|first2=John|date=2007-10-18|title=A Hail of Debris Injures 8 in Midtown|language=en-US|work=The New York Times|url=https://www.nytimes.com/2007/10/18/nyregion/18accident.html|access-date=2021-09-14|issn=0362-4331|archive-date=September 14, 2021|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20210914012152/https://www.nytimes.com/2007/10/18/nyregion/18accident.html|url-status=live}} After the accident, the city government ordered a temporary halt to the construction of the Bank of America Tower.{{Cite news|date=2007-10-19|title=City halts work after accident|pages=18|work=Newsday|issn=2574-5298|via=newspapers.com|url=https://www.newspapers.com/clip/85287987/city-halts-work-after-accident/|access-date=2021-09-14|archive-date=September 14, 2021|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20210914012151/https://www.newspapers.com/clip/85287987/city-halts-work-after-accident/|url-status=live}}

The building's spire was installed by December 15, 2007.{{cite news|last=Cuozzo|first=Steve|date=December 18, 2007|title=Hey! We Still Live Here|page=48|work=New York Post|id={{ProQuest|334391441}}}} By mid-2008, the scaffolding over the facade of Henry Miller's Theater was being dismantled.{{cite web|date=June 18, 2008|title=CurbedWire: Henry Miller Theater Facade is Back, City Celebrates First Willets Point Deal|url=https://ny.curbed.com/2008/6/18/10567558/curbedwire-henry-miller-theater-facade-is-back-city-celebrates-first|url-status=live|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20210913011143/https://ny.curbed.com/2008/6/18/10567558/curbedwire-henry-miller-theater-facade-is-back-city-celebrates-first|archive-date=September 13, 2021|access-date=September 13, 2021|website=Curbed NY}} Several construction accidents occurred that year. In August 2008, a {{convert|1500|lb|kg|adj=on}} glass panel fell onto a sidewalk, hurting two passersby.{{Cite news|last=Hauser|first=Christine|date=August 13, 2008|title=At a Midtown Intersection, Another Sheet of Glass Falls|language=en-US|work=The New York Times|url=https://www.nytimes.com/2008/08/13/nyregion/13glass.html|access-date=September 13, 2021|issn=0362-4331|archive-date=September 13, 2021|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20210913143703/https://www.nytimes.com/2008/08/13/nyregion/13glass.html|url-status=live}} The window had gotten stuck near the top of the tower while it was being pulled by a winch; this led the New York City Department of Buildings to issue three violations. A Tishman spokesman said 9,400 facade panels had already been installed at the time.{{Cite news|last=Hauser|first=Christine|date=August 18, 2008|title=Strategies and Attitudes of Walkers in New York|language=en-US|work=The New York Times|url=https://www.nytimes.com/2008/08/18/nyregion/18fall.html|access-date=September 13, 2021|issn=0362-4331|archive-date=September 13, 2021|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20210913143705/https://www.nytimes.com/2008/08/18/nyregion/18fall.html|url-status=live}} A month later, a debris container fell, shattering a facade panel and causing several shards of glass to fall to the street, though no one was injured.{{cite news|date=September 17, 2008|title=Glass Falls 50 Floors From Midtown Building|work=NY1|url=http://www.ny1.com/content/top_stories/85946/glass-falls-50-floors-from-midtown-building/Default.aspx|access-date=February 27, 2014|archive-date=December 23, 2008|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20081223003349/http://www.ny1.com/content/top_stories/85946/glass-falls-50-floors-from-midtown-building/Default.aspx|url-status=live}} Yet another incident occurred that November, when a worker fell from a scaffold and was injured.{{Cite news|last1=Gould|first1=Joe|last2=Cruz|first2=Wil|last3=Kates|first3=Brian|date=2008-11-15|title=Hardhat Badly Hurt in 40-ft. Fall in Midtown|pages=12|work=New York Daily News|issn=2692-1251|via=newspapers.com|url=https://www.newspapers.com/clip/85307190/hardhat-badly-hurt-in-40-ft-fall-in/|access-date=2021-09-14|archive-date=September 14, 2021|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20210914140228/https://www.newspapers.com/clip/85307190/hardhat-badly-hurt-in-40-ft-fall-in/|url-status=live}}

File:1 Bryant Park Sep 2021 35.jpg

The first workers started moving into the Bank of America Tower in 2008.{{Cite news|last=Collins|first=Glenn|date=2008-06-05|title=Bryant Park Braces for a Tidal Wave of Traffic|language=en-US|work=The New York Times|url=https://www.nytimes.com/2008/06/05/nyregion/05bryant.html|access-date=2021-09-14|issn=0362-4331|archive-date=September 14, 2021|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20210914144207/https://www.nytimes.com/2008/06/05/nyregion/05bryant.html|url-status=live}} The building was refinanced in June 2009 with a $1.28 billion package from a group of lenders led by Bank of America; this financing replaced the Liberty Bonds.{{cite web|date=June 30, 2009|title=BOA Tower at One Bryant Park Receives $1.28 Billion in Refinancing|url=https://rebusinessonline.com/boa-tower-at-one-bryant-park-receives-1-28-billion-in-refinancing/|access-date=September 12, 2021|website=REBusinessOnline|archive-date=September 12, 2021|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20210912180634/https://rebusinessonline.com/boa-tower-at-one-bryant-park-receives-1-28-billion-in-refinancing/|url-status=live}}{{cite web|date=June 25, 2009|title=1 Bryant Park gets huge refinancing|url=https://www.crainsnewyork.com/article/20090625/FREE/906259965/1-bryant-park-gets-huge-refinancing|access-date=September 12, 2021|website=Crain's New York Business|archive-date=September 12, 2021|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20210912182146/https://www.crainsnewyork.com/article/20090625/FREE/906259965/1-bryant-park-gets-huge-refinancing|url-status=live}} The Aureole restaurant opened within the base of the building later that year.{{cite web|last=Platt|first=Adam|date=September 1, 2009|title=Aureole -- New York Magazine Restaurant Review|url=https://nymag.com/restaurants/reviews/59627/|access-date=September 14, 2021|website=New York Magazine|archive-date=September 14, 2021|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20210914012151/https://nymag.com/restaurants/reviews/59627/|url-status=live}}{{Cite news|last=Sifton|first=Sam|date=2009-11-11|title=A Kiss to the United States of Burgers, Fries and Sugar|language=en-US|work=The New York Times|url=https://www.nytimes.com/2009/11/11/dining/reviews/11rest.html|access-date=2021-09-14|issn=0362-4331|archive-date=September 14, 2021|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20210914012150/https://www.nytimes.com/2009/11/11/dining/reviews/11rest.html|url-status=live}} Also in late 2009, Henry Miller's Theatre reopened within the base of the Bank of America Tower.{{cite web|last=Jones|first=Kenneth|date=September 15, 2010|title=His Name in Lights: Stephen Sondheim Helps Unveil Broadway Theatre in His Name|url=http://www.playbill.com/article/his-name-in-lights-stephen-sondheim-helps-unveil-broadway-theatre-in-his-name-com-171801|access-date=September 14, 2021|website=Playbill|archive-date=January 23, 2021|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20210123214248/https://www.playbill.com/article/his-name-in-lights-stephen-sondheim-helps-unveil-broadway-theatre-in-his-name-com-171801|url-status=live}} By January 2010, signs with the building's name were being erected at the entrances.{{cite web|last=Davies|first=Pete|date=January 26, 2010|title=Bank of America Tower Signs in at Bryant Park|url=https://ny.curbed.com/2010/1/26/10522866/bank-of-america-tower-signs-in-at-bryant-park|access-date=September 14, 2021|website=Curbed NY|archive-date=September 14, 2021|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20210914012152/https://ny.curbed.com/2010/1/26/10522866/bank-of-america-tower-signs-in-at-bryant-park|url-status=live}}

Durst and Bank of America held a grand opening for the tower in May 2010.{{cite web|last=Davies|first=Pete|date=May 13, 2010|title=Bank of America Tower Exposes Itself, Then Gets Shy|url=https://ny.curbed.com/2010/5/13/10514286/bank-of-america-tower-exposes-itself-then-gets-shy|access-date=September 14, 2021|website=Curbed NY|archive-date=September 14, 2021|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20210914013653/https://ny.curbed.com/2010/5/13/10514286/bank-of-america-tower-exposes-itself-then-gets-shy|url-status=live}} At the ribbon-cutting ceremony, Gore praised mayor Michael Bloomberg and other people involved in the project.{{cite web|date=May 22, 2010|title=Al Gore, Michael Bloomberg Open Manhattan's Bank of America Tower|url=https://www.worldpropertyjournal.com/us-markets/commercial-real-estate-1/real-estate-news-bank-of-america-tower-at-one-bryant-park-al-gore-michael-bloomberg-leed-building-the-durst-organization-bank-of-america-2583.php|access-date=September 14, 2021|website=World Property Journal|archive-date=September 14, 2021|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20210914140229/https://www.worldpropertyjournal.com/us-markets/commercial-real-estate-1/real-estate-news-bank-of-america-tower-at-one-bryant-park-al-gore-michael-bloomberg-leed-building-the-durst-organization-bank-of-america-2583.php|url-status=live}} The building was certified as a LEED Platinum office building that month, except for the theater, which was certified as LEED Gold. This made the Bank of America Tower the first U.S. office building to be certified as platinum.{{cite magazine|date=Jul 2010|title=N.Y.C. Skyscraper Earns LEED Platinum|url=https://usmodernist.org/AR/AR-2010-07.pdf|journal=Architectural Record|volume=198|issue=7|pages=32|access-date=September 14, 2021|archive-date=September 12, 2021|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20210912183653/https://usmodernist.org/AR/AR-2010-07.pdf|url-status=live}} At the time, the building was appraised at $2.2 billion.{{cite web |last=Yoon |first=Al |date=June 21, 2010 |title=BofA NY HQ loan in unique CMBS, muni deal |url=https://www.reuters.com/article/us-cmbs-newyork-idUSTRE65K3M020100621 |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20210912180634/https://www.reuters.com/article/us-cmbs-newyork-idUSTRE65K3M020100621 |archive-date=September 12, 2021 |access-date=September 12, 2021 |website=Reuters}} Shortly afterward, Durst and Bank of America refinanced $1.275 billion in construction loans with Liberty bonds and a commercial mortgage-backed security (CMBS) loan from Bank of America and JPMorgan Chase.{{cite web|date=July 9, 2010|title=BOA Tower at One Bryant Park Refinanced for $1.3 Billion|url=https://rebusinessonline.com/boa-tower-at-one-bryant-park-refinanced-for-1-3-billion/|access-date=September 12, 2021|website=REBusinessOnline|archive-date=September 12, 2021|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20210912180636/https://rebusinessonline.com/boa-tower-at-one-bryant-park-refinanced-for-1-3-billion/|url-status=live}} Henry Miller's Theatre at the building's base was renamed the Stephen Sondheim Theatre that year, after musical composer Stephen Sondheim.{{Cite news|last=Healy|first=Patrick|date=2010-03-23|title=Theater to Be Named in Honor of Sondheim|language=en-US|work=The New York Times|url=https://www.nytimes.com/2010/03/23/theater/23arts-THEATERTOBEN_BRF.html|access-date=2021-09-14|issn=0362-4331|archive-date=September 14, 2021|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20210914012150/https://www.nytimes.com/2010/03/23/theater/23arts-THEATERTOBEN_BRF.html|url-status=live}}

Only a few years before the Bank of America Tower's construction, the surrounding area had contained discount stores and homeless encampments, but its completion caused an immediate change to the vicinity.{{Cite news|last=Hutson|first=Brittany|date=2010-05-14|title=Bank of America Tower Boosts Area|language=en-US|work=Wall Street Journal|url=https://www.wsj.com/articles/SB10001424052748704635204575242503739407156|access-date=2021-09-14|issn=0099-9660|archive-date=September 14, 2021|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20210914144207/https://www.wsj.com/articles/SB10001424052748704635204575242503739407156|url-status=live}} Following the building's completion, asking rents at many Bryant Park buildings rose to $100 per square foot.{{Cite news|last=Gregor|first=Alison|date=2011-02-01|title=Playing to Hedge Funds, a Trophy Rises in Midtown|language=en-US|work=The New York Times|url=https://www.nytimes.com/2011/02/02/realestate/commercial/02rents.html|access-date=2021-09-14|issn=0362-4331|archive-date=June 14, 2021|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20210614231405/https://www.nytimes.com/2011/02/02/realestate/commercial/02rents.html|url-status=live}} After the tower was completed, Sam Roudman of The New Republic magazine reported that the Bank of America Tower used twice as much energy overall as the Empire State Building due to the Bank of America Tower's high energy usage. According to Roudman, although platinum was the highest LEED green-building certification available, the Bank of America Tower emitted more greenhouse gases than all other similarly-sized buildings in Manhattan. Bryan Walsh of Time magazine wrote that it was the high energy usage of the building's trading floors, rather than the building itself, that created such high emissions.

Among the early retail tenants was Starbucks, which leased a location in the base in 2011.{{Cite news|date=2019-03-13|title=1 Bryant Park|work=TRD Research|url=https://therealdeal.com/new-research/topics/property/1-bryant-park/|access-date=2021-09-14|archive-date=September 12, 2021|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20210912195353/https://therealdeal.com/new-research/topics/property/1-bryant-park/|url-status=live}} The Bank of America Tower lost power during Hurricane Sandy in 2012, as it was the only Midtown skyscraper connected to an electrical substation downtown. In mid-2013, the Durst Organization employed Brooklyn Grange Rooftop Farm to install and maintain two honeybee hives on the building.{{Cite news|last=Satow|first=Julie|date=2013-08-06|title=Worker Bees on a Rooftop, Ignoring Urban Pleasures|language=en-US|work=The New York Times|url=https://www.nytimes.com/2013/08/07/realestate/commercial/worker-bees-on-a-rooftop-ignoring-bryant-parks-pleasures.html|access-date=2021-09-14|issn=0362-4331|archive-date=February 6, 2017|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20170206160951/http://www.nytimes.com/2013/08/07/realestate/commercial/worker-bees-on-a-rooftop-ignoring-bryant-parks-pleasures.html|url-status=live}} Also during 2013, asset management firms QFR Management and TriOaks Capital Management, as well as insurance underwriter Ascot Underwriting and hedge fund QFR, signed leases for space in the building. In 2016, Burger & Lobster signed a lease for a restaurant space in three stories next to the Stephen Sondheim Theatre. This brought the Bank of America Tower to full occupancy.{{cite web|last=Hurowitz|first=Noah|date=April 25, 2016|title=Burger & Lobster to Open New Location in One Bryant Park|url=https://www.dnainfo.com/new-york/20160425/midtown/burger-lobster-open-new-location-one-bryant-park|access-date=September 12, 2021|website=DNAinfo New York|archive-date=September 12, 2021|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20210912185920/https://www.dnainfo.com/new-york/20160425/midtown/burger-lobster-open-new-location-one-bryant-park/|url-status=dead}}

Durst and Bank of America refinanced the tower in 2019 for $1.6 billion, composed of a $950 million CMBS from Bank of America as well as $650 million of Liberty Bonds.{{cite web|date=August 29, 2019|title=Durst closes $1.6B loan for One Bryant Park|url=https://rew-online.com/durst-closes-1-6b-loan-for-one-bryant-park/|access-date=September 12, 2021|website=Real Estate Weekly|archive-date=September 12, 2021|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20210912183639/https://rew-online.com/durst-closes-1-6b-loan-for-one-bryant-park/|url-status=live}}{{cite web|last=Grossman|first=Matt|date=July 31, 2019|title=One Bryant Park Lands $1.6B CMBS Refi|url=https://commercialobserver.com/2019/07/one-bryant-park-refi/|access-date=September 12, 2021|website=Commercial Observer|archive-date=September 11, 2021|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20210911025102/https://commercialobserver.com/2019/07/one-bryant-park-refi/|url-status=live}} At the time, Bank of America occupied the largest share of space in the building, though investment manager Marathon Asset Management, law firm Akin Gump Strauss Hauer & Feld, and Stephen Sondheim Theatre's operator Roundabout Theatre Company also took up some space.{{Cite web|last=Small|first=Eddie|date=July 31, 2019|title=Bank of America Refinances One Bryant Park Office Tower|url=https://therealdeal.com/2019/07/31/bank-of-america-leads-1-6b-refi-for-tower-named-after-it-at-one-bryant-park/|access-date=September 12, 2021|website=The Real Deal New York|language=en-US|archive-date=September 12, 2021|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20210912180634/https://therealdeal.com/2019/07/31/bank-of-america-leads-1-6b-refi-for-tower-named-after-it-at-one-bryant-park/|url-status=live}} The building was appraised the same year at over $3.5 billion, ranking it among the most valuable office buildings in the city.{{cite news|last=Grossman|first=Matt|date=July 31, 2019|title=One Bryant Park Lands $1.6B CMBS Refi|work=Commercial Observer|url=https://commercialobserver.com/2019/07/one-bryant-park-refi/|access-date=July 31, 2019|archive-date=July 31, 2019|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20190731204307/https://commercialobserver.com/2019/07/one-bryant-park-refi/|url-status=live}} Starbucks signed a new lease at the building's base in late 2020.{{cite news|date=October 9, 2020|title=Starbucks renews at One Bryant Park|url=https://rew-online.com/starbucks-renews-at-one-bryant-park/|access-date=September 12, 2021|website=Real Estate Weekly|archive-date=September 12, 2021|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20210912180634/https://rew-online.com/starbucks-renews-at-one-bryant-park/|url-status=live}} That year, the Aureole restaurant closed and was replaced by the Charlie Palmer Steak restaurant.{{cite web|last=Warerkar|first=Tanay|date=June 22, 2020|title=Charlie Palmer's Culinary Empire-Making Aureole Has Closed After 32 Years|url=https://ny.eater.com/2020/6/22/21298443/aureole-nyc-charlie-palmer-permanent-closure|access-date=September 14, 2021|website=Eater NY|archive-date=September 14, 2021|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20210914170225/https://ny.eater.com/2020/6/22/21298443/aureole-nyc-charlie-palmer-permanent-closure|url-status=live}}{{Cite news|last=Fabricant|first=Florence|date=2020-06-23|title=An All-Day Cafe and Bakery for Park Slope|language=en-US|work=The New York Times|url=https://www.nytimes.com/2020/06/23/dining/nyc-restaurant-news-coronavirus.html|access-date=2021-09-14|issn=0362-4331|archive-date=September 14, 2021|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20210914170227/https://www.nytimes.com/2020/06/23/dining/nyc-restaurant-news-coronavirus.html|url-status=live}}{{clear}}

When the building was being developed, a writer for The Village Voice said that the tower "looks like it's going to be alien too, with its reflective mirror sides".{{Cite news|last=Schlesinger|first=Toni|date=October 12, 2005|title=Alien architecture|page=82|work=The Village Voice|id={{ProQuest|232251529}}}} David W. Dunlap of The New York Times said that the tower, "rising like an icy stalagmite, is a three-dimensional reminder that big banks now dominate New Yorkers' consciousness."{{Cite news|last=Dunlap|first=David W.|date=2008-10-09|title=From the Lawn at Bryant Park|language=en-US|work=The New York Times|url=https://www.nytimes.com/2008/10/09/nyregion/09thennow.html|access-date=2021-09-14|issn=0362-4331|archive-date=September 14, 2021|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20210914140230/https://www.nytimes.com/2008/10/09/nyregion/09thennow.html|url-status=live}} Justin Davidson of New York magazine called the Bank of America Tower "a bulky glass stele that executes a modest twist to lend itself an air of grace".{{cite web | last=Davidson | first=Justin | title=How the Future Manhattan Skyline Will Look -- New York Magazine | website=New York Magazine | date=September 3, 2010 | url=https://nymag.com/news/intelligencer/topic/67973/ | access-date=October 1, 2022}} Conversely, Christopher Gray of the Times called the tower a symbol of how "Bryant Park, once synonymous with the worst of New York City, has become a brand name".{{Cite news|last=Gray|first=Christopher|date=April 22, 2007|title=An Enduring Strip of Green in an Ever-Evolving City|language=en-US|work=The New York Times|url=https://www.nytimes.com/2007/04/22/realestate/22scap.html|access-date=September 13, 2021|issn=0362-4331|archive-date=September 13, 2021|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20210913183836/https://www.nytimes.com/2007/04/22/realestate/22scap.html|url-status=live}} Another writer for the same newspaper said the skyscraper was a "psychological and economic lift to a city that was still reeling from the destruction of the World Trade Center" in the September 11 attacks.

The Bank of America Tower was the subject of several exhibits and media works during its development. For example, the building's environmental features were displayed in a Skyscraper Museum exhibit in 2006.{{Cite news|last=Pogrebin|first=Robin|date=February 2, 2006|title=High-Rises That Have Low Impact on Nature|language=en-US|work=The New York Times|url=https://www.nytimes.com/2006/02/02/arts/design/highrises-that-have-low-impact-on-nature.html|access-date=September 14, 2021|issn=0362-4331|archive-date=July 10, 2021|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20210710011636/https://www.nytimes.com/2006/02/02/arts/design/highrises-that-have-low-impact-on-nature.html|url-status=live}} These features were also described in a podcast that the New York Academy of Sciences launched in June 2008.{{cite web|date=April 15, 2010|title=Green Buildings Solutions: What's Working? Post Occupancy Evaluation|url=http://www.nyas.org/Events/Detail.aspx?cid=2034eaec-2251-4c8b-b191-ed31a9beb731|access-date=2014-02-27|publisher=New York Academy of Sciences|archive-date=March 6, 2014|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20140306063949/http://www.nyas.org/Events/Detail.aspx?cid=2034eaec-2251-4c8b-b191-ed31a9beb731|url-status=live}} Furthermore, in November 2008, the building was featured in its own documentary on the National Geographic Channel.{{Cite news|last=Werts|first=Diane|date=2008-11-06|title=Off the Wall|pages=31|work=Newsday|issn=2574-5298|via=newspapers.com|url=https://www.newspapers.com/clip/85308651/off-the-walldiane-werts/|access-date=2021-09-14|archive-date=September 14, 2021|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20210914144209/https://www.newspapers.com/clip/85308651/off-the-walldiane-werts/|url-status=live}}{{cite news|last=Hughes|first=C.J.|date=November 5, 2008|title=New Skyscraper Stars in National Geographic Show|work=Architectural Record|url=http://archrecord.construction.com/news/daily/archives/081105skyscraper.asp|url-status=live|access-date=May 27, 2011|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20110612225628/http://archrecord.construction.com/news/daily/archives/081105skyscraper.asp|archive-date=June 12, 2011}}

In June 2010, the Bank of America Tower was the recipient of the 2010 Best Tall Building Americas award by the Council on Tall Buildings and Urban Habitat.{{cite web| title=CTBUH 9th Annual Awards, 2010| publisher=Council on Tall Buildings and Urban Habitat| url=http://www.ctbuh.org/Events/Awards/2010Awards/tabid/1571/language/en-GB/Default.aspx| access-date=June 15, 2007| archive-date=June 19, 2010| archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20100619090405/http://www.ctbuh.org/Events/Awards/2010Awards/tabid/1571/language/en-GB/Default.aspx| url-status=live}} Additionally, the building received an Award of Merit during the 2011 Annual Lumen Gala, a convention for New York City's lighting industry.{{cite magazine|date=July–August 2011|title=Briefs|url=https://usmodernist.org/AL/AL-2011-07-08.pdf|journal=Architectural Lighting|volume=25|pages=10|access-date=September 14, 2021|archive-date=July 31, 2020|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20200731014251/https://usmodernist.org/AL/AL-2011-07-08.pdf|url-status=live}}

{{Portal|Architecture|New York City}}

• Buildings and architecture of New York City
• List of tallest buildings in New York City
• Tallest buildings in the United States

{{Notelist}}

{{reflist|1=30em}}

• {{cite magazine|last=Adams|first=Jennifer|date=Aug 2008|title=New Manhattan landmark features Indian granite|journal=Stone World|volume=25|issue=8|id={{ProQuest|213605703}}}}
• {{cite report|url=https://scholarsmine.mst.edu/cgi/viewcontent.cgi?article=2965&context=icchge|title=New York City High-Rises on Rock: Uncovering the Unknown Leads to Variable Foundation Solutions|last1=Canale|first1=Tony D.|last2=Moskowitz|first2=Joel|date=August 13, 2008|publisher=Missouri University of Science and Technology|last3=Kaufman|first3=James L.}}
• {{cite magazine|last=Di Justo|first=Patrick|title=The 54-Story Air Filter New York City is hatching the world's greenest skyscraper. Recycling has never looked so swank|url=https://books.google.com/books?id=VIXF1x2Lv8sC&pg=PA28|journal=Popular Science|publisher=Bonnier Corporation|volume=266|issue=3|issn=0161-7370|date=Mar 2005|id={{ProQuest|222932460}}}}
• {{Cite report|last=Elliott|first=Allison|date=Jan 2010|title=2010 Project of the Year|url=https://www.schindler.com/content/cn/internet/en/about-us/sustainability/environmental/product/project-references/_jcr_content/iTopPar/downloadlist/downloadList/32_1334061693153.download.asset.32_1334061693153/elevatorworld-jan2010.pdf|website=Schindler|publisher=Elevator World|access-date=September 14, 2021|archive-date=September 13, 2021|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20210913165046/https://www.schindler.com/content/cn/internet/en/about-us/sustainability/environmental/product/project-references/_jcr_content/iTopPar/downloadlist/downloadList/32_1334061693153.download.asset.32_1334061693153/elevatorworld-jan2010.pdf|url-status=dead}}
• {{cite report|date=December 8, 1987|title=Henry Miller Theater|url=http://s-media.nyc.gov/agencies/lpc/lp/1357.pdf|publisher=New York City Landmarks Preservation Commission|ref={{harvid|Landmarks Preservation Commission|1987}}}}
• {{Cite magazine|last=Höweler|first=Eric|date=Mar 2009|title=One Bryant Park|url=https://usmodernist.org/AL/AL-2009-03.pdf|journal=Architectural Lighting|volume=23|pages=52–57|ref={{harvid|Architectural Lighting|2009}}}}
• {{Cite magazine|last=Muller-Lust|first=Andrew|date=Oct 2008|title=Growing Up in Manhattan|url=https://www.aisc.org/globalassets/modern-steel/archives/2008/10/2008v10_growing_up.pdf|journal=Modern Steel Construction|volume=|pages=}}
• {{cite report|date=May 8, 2016|title=One Bryant Park Lobby|url=https://ominy.org/project/one_bryant_park_lobby|publisher=Ornamental Metal Institute of New York|ref={{harvid|Ornamental Metal Institute of New York|2016}}}}
• {{cite report|url=https://www.durst.org/pdf/obp.pdf|title=One Bryant Park Making a Point on the Skyline|date=Spring 2008|publisher=Steel Institute of New York|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20211005130744/https://www.durst.org/pdf/obp.pdf|archive-date=October 5, 2021|ref={{harvid|Steel Institute of New York|2008}}}}
• {{cite magazine|last=Snoonian|first=Deborah|date=Nov 2004|title=Green grows up... and up and up and up|url=https://usmodernist.org/AR/AR-2004-11.pdf|journal=Architectural Record|volume=192|pages=43–49}}

{{Commons category|Bank of America Tower (Manhattan)}}

• [http://www.durst.org/properties/one-bryant-park Bank of America Tower] on the Durst Organization website
• {{Glass Steel and Stone|2552}}
• {{SkyscraperPage|3197}}
• {{Structurae|20031044}}

{{Midtown North, Manhattan}}

{{Times Square}}

{{Bryant Park}}

{{Supertall skyscrapers | current}}

{{Bank of America}}

Category:42nd Street (Manhattan)

Category:Bank of America buildings

Category:Bryant Park buildings

Category:Leadership in Energy and Environmental Design platinum certified buildings

Category:Office buildings completed in 2009

Category:Sixth Avenue

Category:Skyscraper office buildings in Manhattan

Category:Sustainable buildings in the United States

Category:Times Square buildings

Category:Bank buildings in Manhattan