In a town where historic and modern buildings elbow each other for attention, the list of bold architectural statements can sometime feel endless. And, with new buildings remaking the city’s skyline by the day it can be hard to single out a true favorite.
But, this month The Real Deal asked builders, architects and real estate movers and shakers to go on the record with their favorite New York City buildings, excluding any that they’ve worked on or own (for some that requirement was hard to resist). The most oft-cited pick was the Seagram Builiding, but the Plaza, the GM Building and other iconic city structures made many of the lists. And, one major developer opted out of the Manhattan classics and instead went with the former U.S. Post Office in Brooklyn’s Cadman Plaza, which is now a courthouse. A list of top picks follows.
Dean Maltz Principal, Dean Maltz Architect
“My favorite building in New York is Rockefeller Center. Why? Because it is a beautiful example of civic architecture at both a human and monumental scale. The experience from the street through the promenade, to the plaza and then to the Top of the Rock demonstrates a masterful work of material, scale and hierarchy at multiple layers and levels above and below ground that beautifully integrates art, architecture and landscape design. I am always excited to walk through this space.”
Larry Silverstein President and CEO, Silverstein Properties
“My two favorite buildings are 9 West 57th Street and the Seagram Building. It is all about design, design, design. They are the best designed buildings in the city, excluding my own, 7 World Trade Center.”
Jeff Wolk President, COO, Fenwick Keats Goodstein
“The Empire State Building is my favorite and in my mind a true symbol of human achievement. The building contains 60,000 tons of steel, 10 million bricks and 200,000 cubic feet of Indiana limestone. The fact that this building was built at the onset of the Great Depression serves as a reminder that great accomplishments can be achieved during very difficult times.”
Jonathan Mechanic Partner, Fried Frank
“The MetLife Building at 200 Park Avenue is one of my favorites. Every time I go up or down Park Avenue, I see the sign and remember all the excitement of working on the purchase of the property on behalf of Tishman Speyer. The Seagram Building is another favorite, for its fabulous architecture.”
Laurence Kaiser President, Key-Ventures Realty
“If you put together light, views, detail and location, I would say 834 Fifth Avenue. It is the only building [of its kind] where the ceilings are high and the windows are a foot lower to the floor. You can sit and see the view; you don’t have to walk up to the window. It has standard ceilings of 11.5 to 12 feet, and that’s darn good.”
Aby Rosen Principal, RFR Realty
“Monday, Wednesday and Friday: Lever house. Tuesdays, Thursdays and Saturday: the Seagram Building. Sunday: my home.”
Stanley Perelman Managing principal, JANI Real Estate
“I believe the Seagram Building is the greatest example of modern architecture in New York City. The 38-story skyscraper designed by Mies van der Rohe was built over five decades ago but is still being replicated today. The building’s steel framing is exposed, and the exterior walls are made of glass curtain wall. The design is raw but beautiful; it exemplifies how science, engineering and functionality are intrinsically linked with timeless architecture.”
Joshua Muss Principal, Muss Development
“My favorite building in New York is the U.S. Post Office in Cadman Plaza, Brooklyn. For me, the building represents the strength and resilience of Brooklyn itself. Built in 1891, it now transitions, with Brooklyn, into the 21st century. It began as the sentry of the eastern district ports, endured the destruction and reconstruction of the Depression years, and has been further deconstructed and refurbished over the past few years and now serves as part of the federal court system. It is a New York City Landmark and is on the National Register of Historic Places. ”
David Michonski CEO, Coldwell Banker Hunt Kennedy
“The Plaza—because it represents the location and the elegance of all that is beautiful about New York City.”
Joe Moinian CEO, Moinian Group
“My dream buildings include the GM Building, with its elegant and bright design, Central Park views and unique plaza off Fifth Avenue, which defines the northern edge of the Midtown office market; and 180 Maiden Lane, which I purchased in 2004 in the heart of the Financial District.”
Compiled by Melissa Dehncke-McGill