Midtown East now holds several of Foster + Partners' skyscrapers including the new JP Morgan Chase Headquarters, Selene, and 425 Park Avenue. Yet to come is 350 Park Avenue
Few architects have reshaped New York City’s skyline with as much vision, sensitivity, and range as Pritzker Prize laureate Lord Norman Foster. From the crystalline geometry of Hearst Tower, which fused a long-dormant Art Deco base with one of Manhattan’s first green skyscrapers, to the luminous glass cube at Apple Fifth Avenue, Foster’s work here is marked by a mastery of material, form, and public experience. His firm, Foster + Partners, combines technical innovation with environmental responsibility and sculptural clarity. Whether designing for finance, tech, transit, or residential luxury, Foster’s New York buildings balance boldness with restraint, always in dialogue with the city’s historic layers.
This portfolio reflects the diversity of both New York’s needs and Foster’s design ethos. Projects like 425 Park Avenue and 50 Hudson Yards redefine office culture through vertical campuses and refined elegance, while civic undertakings like the Harlem Boathouse and the Port Authority Bus Terminal underscore the firm’s commitment to public life and accessibility. With the upcoming 270 Park Avenue set to become the city’s largest all-electric tower and a model for sustainable corporate headquarters, Foster’s legacy in New York continues to evolve, charting a future that is both technologically advanced and deeply humane.
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Residential
19 stories | 44 units
Completed in 2015
7 availabilities from $1.9 million
Completed in 2015
7 availabilities from $1.9 million
551W21 (CityRealty)
551W21's design emphasizes privacy, natural light, and a blend of contemporary and traditional residential elements. Featuring a white precast concrete facade with bronze detailing and large glazed panels, the design draws on the area’s industrial heritage. With 44 residences, most with three or four bedrooms, high ceilings, and wide windows offering views of the Hudson River and Midtown, the tower is set on a podium that includes a gallery space and a gated, ivy-lined motor court leading to a double-height lobby.
Amenities include a 24-hour doorman, concierge, fitness center, spa, residents' lounge, children’s playroom, and a private parking garage with valet service. Most units have private elevator access, and the top floors feature three penthouses with private terraces and, in the highest unit, a rooftop pool.
Amenities include a 24-hour doorman, concierge, fitness center, spa, residents' lounge, children’s playroom, and a private parking garage with valet service. Most units have private elevator access, and the top floors feature three penthouses with private terraces and, in the highest unit, a rooftop pool.
43 stories | 88 units
Completed in 2015
5 availabilities from $2M
Completed in 2015
5 availabilities from $2M
50 United Nations Plaza
This 44-story luxury residential tower, located in the verdant setting of United Nations Plaza, offers sweeping views of the East River, the New York City skyline, and the iconic UN Headquarters. As Foster + Partners’ first high-rise apartment building in New York, it draws inspiration from their earlier Hearst Tower, incorporating sustainable design through the use of recycled materials and a façade that’s more than 50% solid, paired with highly insulated glazing.
The tower’s massing respects the scale of its neighbors, and its form is articulated with deep bay windows framed by horizontal stainless-steel bands, evoking the refined Art Deco style of nearby landmarks like the Chrysler Building. The faceted façade visually reduces the building’s scale while enhancing its verticality and jewel-like appearance through reflective vertical panels.
The tower’s massing respects the scale of its neighbors, and its form is articulated with deep bay windows framed by horizontal stainless-steel bands, evoking the refined Art Deco style of nearby landmarks like the Chrysler Building. The faceted façade visually reduces the building’s scale while enhancing its verticality and jewel-like appearance through reflective vertical panels.
50 United Nations Plaza, #28B
$5,950,000
Turtle Bay/United Nations | Condominium | 3 Bedrooms, 3.5 Baths | 3,004 ft2
50 United Nations Plaza, #28B (Brown Harris Stevens Residential Sales LLC)
63 stories | 94 units
Completed in 2018
10 availabilities from $1.72 million
Completed in 2018
10 availabilities from $1.72 million
Selene
Status building Selene thrusts into Manhattan’s skyline with an undulating, folded glass facade, a 64-story feat (described by Foster as impossibly skinny) attracting a star-studded list of residents to the likes of George Clooney and Cindy Crawford. One set of those residents, a globe-trotting couple who fell for the pencil tower's supreme views, tapped local interiors firm frenchCALIFORNIA to not just decorating an apartment, but designing a calm and collected, high-style pied-à-terre—with interiors that rise to the occasion.
Selene, #58A (Corcoran Sunshine Marketing Group)
Commercial
Hearst Tower, Midtown West
46 stories | 856,000 square feet
Completed in 2006
Completed in 2006
Hearst Tower (Hearst)
Midtown's Hearst Tower brought to life a long-delayed vision from the 1920s, when William Randolph Hearst commissioned a six-story Art Deco base on Eighth Avenue with the intention of adding a tower above. Seventy years later, Foster + Partners designed the tower as a contemporary counterpart to the historic structure, creating a striking dialogue between old and new. Rising 44 stories above the original base, the tower is visually separated by a glazed “skirt” that gives the impression of it floating above the historic façade. The lobby, occupying the full footprint of the original building and soaring six stories high, serves as the building’s central hub, connecting elevators, cafeteria, auditorium, and mezzanine spaces. Structurally, the building features a distinctive diagrid system, using 20% less steel than conventional frames and forming a faceted silhouette on the Manhattan skyline.
Environmentally, Hearst Tower set a new benchmark in sustainable design. Built with 85% recycled steel, it uses outside air for cooling and ventilation most of the year and consumes 25% less energy than standard code-compliant buildings. It was the first office tower in Manhattan to earn a LEED Gold rating in 2006 and later achieved LEED Platinum for its operations and maintenance in 2012.
Fifth Avenue Apple store renovation, Midtown East
2 stories | 20,000 square feet
Completed in 2019
Completed in 2019
Fifth Avenue Apple store (Foster + Partners)
The renovation of the original 2006 Apple Fifth Avenue cube, located at the edge of Central Park beside the iconic General Motors Building, is a reimagined public space that merges urban design with Apple’s spirit of innovation. Originally a sunken plaza from the 1960s, the site evolved into a global architectural landmark with the 2006 installation of the iconic glass cube, a defining symbol introduced by Steve Jobs.
In its latest transformation, Foster + Partners restored the cube and revitalized the plaza to enhance accessibility from three sides, creating a dynamic and welcoming urban square. New design elements include broad steps, shaded stone seating, linear fountains, and two discreet entrances, fostering a vibrant hub for public gathering and expression.
In its latest transformation, Foster + Partners restored the cube and revitalized the plaza to enhance accessibility from three sides, creating a dynamic and welcoming urban square. New design elements include broad steps, shaded stone seating, linear fountains, and two discreet entrances, fostering a vibrant hub for public gathering and expression.
Central to the redesign are nine sculptural ‘Skylenses’ that mirror the skyline while serving as seating and light sources, channeling sunlight into the now-expanded underground store, which is twice its original size. Descending into the store through a mirrored circular elevator and a dramatic stainless-steel staircase, visitors are immersed in a kaleidoscopic space that reflects the city’s energy.
Below the plaza, a luminous grand hall is crowned with a curved, cloud-like ceiling that uses both natural and artificial light to mimic the changing daylight. Smart ventilation embedded in the floor adjusts to occupancy and weather, underscoring the seamless integration of innovation, sustainability, and user experience that defines Apple’s architectural identity.
Below the plaza, a luminous grand hall is crowned with a curved, cloud-like ceiling that uses both natural and artificial light to mimic the changing daylight. Smart ventilation embedded in the floor adjusts to occupancy and weather, underscoring the seamless integration of innovation, sustainability, and user experience that defines Apple’s architectural identity.
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50 Hudson Yards
78 stories | 2.9 million square feet
Completed in 2022
Completed in 2022
50 Hudson Yards (Related Companies)
50 Hudson Yards, a LEED Gold-certified office tower, occupies an entire city block between 10th Avenue and Hudson Boulevard. The nearly 3 million square foot development offers flexible office space and retail at street level. Designed as a “vertical campus,” the tower is composed of three stacked volumes, with the largest floor plates at the base and stepped terraces above that respect the city’s urban rhythm. With direct access to the subway and proximity to the No. 7 train extension, the building serves as a gateway to the Hudson Yards neighborhood. Inside, the ground-floor lobbies are animated by abstract sculptures by Frank Stella, reinforcing the city’s cultural vibrancy.
The tower’s structure has been pushed to its edges, allowing for expansive, column-free floor plates that maximize natural light and panoramic views. Four-story glass boxes articulate the east and west facades, while the structural elements are clad in Viscount White stone for clarity and refinement. Designed to support multiple tenants, the building features a unique elevator system and multiple lobbies that enable intuitive circulation and privacy. Floor-to-ceiling glazing, raised flooring, and generous ceiling heights create an open, light-filled interior that supports flexible configurations and collaborative working environments.
50 Hudson Yards (Related Companies)
425 Park Avenue, Midtown East
47 stories | 670,000 square feet
Completed in 2022
Completed in 2022
425 Park Avenue (Foster + Partners)
This sleek, modern office tower with a sculptural steel frame and triple-height lobby is the the first full-block office tower built on Park Avenue in over 50 years. At its base is Four Twenty Five, a 14,000-square-foot restaurant by Jean-Georges Vongerichten also designed by the practice. It includes a main mezzanine dining level and a cocktail lounge, with a 45-foot-high ceiling and a 24-foot painting by the celebrated artist Larry Poons. The building's top floors are occupied by Citadel, and the building includes a restaurant by Daniel Humm of Eleven Madison Park fame.
270 Park Avenue, Midtown East
60 stories | 2.5 million square feet
Completion estimated for 2026
Completion estimated for 2026
270 Park Avenue rendering (Foster + Partners)
Set to be the new state-of-the-art global headquarters for JPMorgan Chase, the 60-story skyscraper will be New York City’s largest all-electric tower with net zero operational emissions and exceptional indoor air quality that exceeds the highest standards in sustainability, health and wellness. It will help define the modern workplace with 21st century infrastructure, smart technology and 2.5 million gross square feet of flexible and collaborative space. The building will offer 2.5 times more outdoor space on the ground level of Park and Madison Avenues, featuring wider sidewalks and a large public plaza on Madison Avenue with natural green space and other amenities geared towards the residents, workers and visitors who frequent the neighborhood on a daily basis.
350 Park Avenue
62 stories | 1.5 million square feet
Completion estimated for 2032
Completion estimated for 2032
Rendering of 350 Park Avenue (DBOX for Foster + Partners)
Earlier this year, Foster + Partners unveiled this office tower set to rise on Park Avenue. Anchored by global investment firm Citadel and Citadel Securities, which will occupy over half the building, the project reflects the transformation of Park Avenue following the city’s Midtown rezoning. The tower’s elegant, tapering form, cascading green terraces, and all-electric infrastructure position it as a model for future workplaces.
With its offset core, landscaped public plaza, column-free corners, and flexible floorplates, 350 Park Avenue blends cutting-edge design with civic generosity. It joins a historic architectural corridor alongside icons like the Seagram Building and the Waldorf Astoria, redefining the skyline with a focus on light, views, and well-being. As of this writing, 350 Park Avenue has officially entered public review.
With its offset core, landscaped public plaza, column-free corners, and flexible floorplates, 350 Park Avenue blends cutting-edge design with civic generosity. It joins a historic architectural corridor alongside icons like the Seagram Building and the Waldorf Astoria, redefining the skyline with a focus on light, views, and well-being. As of this writing, 350 Park Avenue has officially entered public review.
Transportation
Harlem Boathouse
2 stories | 1,600 square feet
Completed in 2024
Completed in 2024
Harlem Boathouse (Foster + Partners)
The Harlem Boathouse, designed pro bono by Lord Foster and Foster + Partners for the nonprofit Row New York, is a landmark of inclusive design, civic generosity, and environmental sensitivity. Located in Sherman Creek Park along the Harlem River, the two-story timber structure recalls the historic wooden boathouses once common in Upper Manhattan. The project merges rowing with academic enrichment, offering a fully accessible facility that dramatically expands Row New York’s capacity to serve under-resourced youth, including those with physical and cognitive disabilities.
The building’s layout is split between a flood-resilient concrete base—used for boat and equipment storage—and an upper level that houses classrooms, fitness areas, and community gathering spaces, all organized around an expansive riverfront terrace. A distinctive wood-lattice canopy provides dappled shade, while operable façades and natural ventilation reflect contemporary environmental design priorities. Thoughtfully integrated ramps ensure universal access across the site.
The boathouse also supports broader community programming, from outdoor film screenings to literacy workshops. Designed in collaboration with Bade Stageberg Cox as architect of record, the building enhances public access to the Harlem River and stands as a model for socially engaged architecture, combining beauty, sustainability, and purpose in a single civic gesture.
The boathouse also supports broader community programming, from outdoor film screenings to literacy workshops. Designed in collaboration with Bade Stageberg Cox as architect of record, the building enhances public access to the Harlem River and stands as a model for socially engaged architecture, combining beauty, sustainability, and purpose in a single civic gesture.
Port Authority Bus Terminal
5 stories | ### square feet
Completion estimated for 2032
Completion estimated for 2032
Port Authority Bus Terminal rendering (Port Authority of New York and New Jersey)
A cornerstone of the $10 billion project is its commitment to sustainability and public benefit. The terminal is designed to be net-zero emissions and will support an all-electric bus fleet. Visionary resiliency features include LEED certification, renewable energy generation, and advanced heat recovery systems. A new staging and storage facility with direct Lincoln Tunnel access will reduce city street traffic, while 3.5 acres of new green space will offer valuable public amenities.
Designs for the new Midtown Bus Terminal in Manhattan envision a transformative, state-of-the-art transportation hub that replaces the outdated 73-year-old facility. The 2.1 million-square-foot terminal is designed to accommodate projected commuter growth through 2050, while eliminating bus congestion on surrounding streets and providing a best-in-class customer experience. At its core is a light-filled atrium—accessible from street level and the subway—that intuitively guides commuters through the space, enhancing wayfinding, accessibility, and comfort. The building also features permeable retail storefronts and a glazed back wall, creating vibrant connections with the street and neighborhood.
The Port Authority broke ground on the new terminal in May 2025. From there, construction will proceed in phases, with a temporary terminal ready by 2028 and full completion of the main terminal projected for 2032.
Would you like to tour any of these properties?
Just complete the info below.
Or call us at (212) 755-5544
Would you like to tour any of these properties?
Contributing Writer
Michelle Sinclair Colman
Michelle writes children's books and also writes articles about architecture, design and real estate. Those two passions came together in Michelle's first children's book, "Urban Babies Wear Black." Michelle has a Master's degree in Sociology from the University of Minnesota and a Master's degree in the Cities Program from the London School of Economics.
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