Work is moving along on the office-to-residential conversion and expansion of the former Pfizer headquarters at 229 East 42nd Street in Midtown East, Manhattan. Designed by Gensler and developed by Metro Loft Development and David Werner Real Estate Investments, the project involves the gut renovation and full re-cladding of the 33-story tower, along with the construction of a 19-story vertical expansion of the adjacent building at 219 East 42nd Street. The conversion will yield 1,600 rental apartments, with 25 percent reserved for affordable housing, as well as ground-floor retail space and 100,000 square feet of amenities. The abutting properties are located at the northwestern corner of East 42nd Street and Second Avenue.
A significant amount of the façade has been replaced on the main tower at 229 East 42nd Street since our last update in August, when the existing envelope was still fully in place. The stepped podium has been completely re-clad with the new system, which features ribbed white paneling for the spandrels between the windows. The uppermost floors have been stripped of their metal screen and remain exposed at the moment, and two new wooden water towers were added to the southeastern edge of the roof.
219-229 East 42nd Street. Photo by Michael Young.
219-229 East 42nd Street. Photo by Michael Young.
A portion of the western side of the tower appears to feature a slightly different fenestration utilizing a tighter arrangement of black window frames.
219-229 East 42nd Street. Photo by Michael Young.
219-229 East 42nd Street. Photo by Michael Young.
Meanwhile, work is further along on the expanded annex at 219 East 42nd Street. The reinforced concrete superstructure topped out since our last update, bringing the structure to its full 29-story height, and the building is almost fully enclosed in its glass curtain wall.
219-229 East 42nd Street. Photo by Michael Young.
Amenities will include a rooftop swimming pool and a fitness center, with additional offerings expected to be disclosed later.
The property is a short walk east of the Grand Central–42nd Street subway station and Grand Central Terminal, serving the 4, 5, 6, 7, and Shuttle trains, the Metro-North rail system, and Long Island Rail Road at the subterranean Grand Central Madison concourse.
YIMBY expects work on 219 and 229 East 42nd Street to conclude sometime next year.
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Where are Pfizer’s offices now?
The Spiral – Hudson Yards
They moved to the Spiral in Hudson Yards, 66 Hudson Blvd. E.
Pace on this project has been incredible