15 Union Square West / 2010

ArchitectODA

Executive ArchitectPerkins Eastman

The innovative re-cladding of this late-19th-century building, originally constructed for Tiffany & Company, creates a striking assemblage of complementary historic cast-iron arches set behind a new layered glass skin. The skin is composed of black framed, double insulated, low-iron, laminated glass panels, which reflect Union Square Park during the day. The building is transformed at night, when glowing light from the interior reveals the historic façade as a series of cast-iron arch silhouettes. Seven additional levels appear as stacked and offset volumes above the original building height, creating various additional façade conditions, including soffits and terraces with glass balustrades. The new building includes 62,000 ft2 (5,760 m2) of luxury condominiums, featuring the original building’s 16 ft (4.9 m) tall ceilings. Front designed custom framing systems and provided structural engineering support to the curtain wall contractor for all building enclosure systems on this project.