725 Fifth Avenue, Trump Tower

Taken for what it is, Trump Tower at 725 Fifth Avenue is a surprisingly suave entry in the High Tech architectural category.  Designed by Der Scutt for developer Donald Trump and the Equitable Life Assurance Company, the building has lost several of its original grace notes over the years, including the pretty little stepped forest… Continue reading

724 Fifth Avenue

A 1923 office building designed by Severance & Van Alen, 724 Fifth Avenue has a handsome double-dormered rooftop. The ground level floors have been sadly compromised.  Along with The Crown Building, its neighbor to the north, 724 Fifth Avenue has long been popular with art galleries. Severance & Van Alen were an architectural partnership consisting… Continue reading

720 Fifth Avenue

A well-mannered 1960s building, 720 Fifth Avenue replaced the ornate palace that once housed Duveen Galleries, one of the grandest art galleries in the city.  The present building’s art holdings are confined to a series of interior murals by artist Mark Beard that celebrate the retro-athletic ideals of current tenant Abercrombie & Fitch.

718 Fifth Avenue

A haughty little cube that suggests the Italian architecture of the 1930’s, 718 Fifth Avenue’s current appearance actually dates to 1960 when the building was redone for Harry Winston by the French architect Jacques Régnault in travertine. The prior treatment was an uncompromising piece of Art Moderne by William and Geoffrey Platt for the Corning… Continue reading

717 Fifth Avenue

A sleek Mid-Century Modern addition to Midtown, 717 Fifth Avenue was designed by Harrison, Abramovitz & Abbe in 1959 for the Corning Glass Works, which was previously housed in a much smaller building directly across the street at 718 Fifth Avenue. A handsome entry in Lever House professionalism, the original plaza has, regrettably, been partially filled in…. Continue reading