Standing at a staggering 1,428 ft along Billionaires' Row, Manhattan's 111 West 57th, also known as Steinway Tower, has gained recognition as New York City's second-tallest building, as well as the world's most slender skyscraper. Designed by SHoP Architects and developed by JDS Development Group, the superstructure reached completion in 2022, with a height-to-width ratio of 24:1.
Associate principal at ShoP Architects, Dana Getman, believes the utilization of an ultra-thin design is not something new, but rather a callback to the golden era of New York City skypscrapers.
“That's what's interesting about this new generation of towers,” she stated. “Pre-war, before air conditioning, buildings tended to be thinner to get people closer to light and air. In these new buildings, because they're residential, light and air again becomes an issue and we have an opportunity to look back to historic buildings and what makes those so special.”
The building's eye-catching facade, an elegant display composed of terra-cotta, bronze, and glass, is coated with IFS Coatings' IFS 500FP. Employing Lumiflon FEVE resin technology, the coating system applied to the tower's curtain wall, offers superior weatherability and unmatched durability, protecting the structure from prolonged exposure to the elements. The implementation of the high-performance fluoropolymer ensures the preservation of the coating's structural integrity, keeping Steinway Tower's facade in pristine condition for decades to come.
“The completion of 111 West 57th Street is a testament to the design and ingenuity that can only be achieved by collaborating with today's most extraordinary designers, artisans, construction, and sales teams,” Michael Stern, founder and CEO of JDS Development Group, said in a statement. “Every aspect of this development has been meticulously conceived to achieve a delicate balance that pays homage to the classic skyscrapers of Manhattan's past while also setting a new standard for the future.”
Photography © Michael Young