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Filter by
148
Global
Height rank
Height rank
53 West 53
New York City
- CTBUH Drawing
- Facts
-
Metrics
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Height
1
To Tip:
Height is measured from the level of the lowest, significant, open-air, pedestrian entrance to the highest point of the building, irrespective of material or function of the highest element (i.e., including antennae, flagpoles, signage and other functional-technical equipment).
320.1 m
/ 1,050 ft
2
Architectural:
Height is measured from the level of the lowest, significant, open-air, pedestrian entrance to the architectural top of the building, including spires, but not including antennae, signage, flag poles or other functional-technical equipment. This measurement is the most widely utilized and is employed to define the Council on Tall Buildings and Urban Habitat (CTBUH) rankings of the "World's Tallest Buildings."
320.1 m
/ 1,050 ft
3
Occupied:
Height is measured from the level of the lowest, significant, open-air, pedestrian entrance to the highest occupied floor within the building.
271.3 m
/ 890 ft
1
2
3
Floors
Above Ground
The number of floors above ground should include the ground floor level and be the number of main floors above ground, including any significant mezzanine floors and major mechanical plant floors. Mechanical mezzanines should not be included if they have a significantly smaller floor area than the major floors below. Similarly, mechanical penthouses or plant rooms protruding above the general roof area should not be counted. Note: CTBUH floor counts may differ from published accounts, as it is common in some regions of the world for certain floor levels not to be included (e.g., the level 4, 14, 24, etc. in Hong Kong).
77
Below Ground
The number of floors below ground should include all major floors located below the ground floor level.
2
Height
320.1 m
/ 1,050 ft
Floors
77
Official Name
The current legal building name.
53 West 53
Other Names
Other names the building has commonly been known as, including former names, common informal names,
local names, etc.
53W53, 53 West 53 Above MoMA, MoMA Expansion Tower, Tour de Verre
Type
CTBUH collects data on two major types of tall structures: 'Buildings' and 'Telecommunications /
Observation Towers.' A 'Building' is a structure where at least 50% of the height is occupied by usable
floor area. A 'Telecommunications / Observation Tower' is a structure where less than 50% of the
structure's height is occupied by usable floor area. Only 'Buildings' are eligible for the CTBUH
'Tallest Buildings' lists.
Building
Status
Completed
Architecturally Topped Out
Structurally Topped Out
Under Construction
Proposed
On Hold
Never Completed
Vision
Competition Entry
Canceled
Proposed Renovation
Under Renovation
Renovated
Under Demolition
Demolished
Completed
Completion
2019
Country
The CTBUH follows the United Nations's definition of Country, and thus
uses the lists and codes established by that organization.
City
The CTBUH follows the United Nations's definition of City, and thus uses the
lists and codes established by that organization.
Address
Function
A single-function tall building is defined as one where 85% or more of its usable floor area is
dedicated to a single usage. Thus a building with 90% office floor area would be said to be an
"office" building, irrespective of other minor functions it may also contain.
A mixed-use tall building contains two or more functions (or uses), where each of the functions occupy a significant proportion of the tower's total space. Support areas such as car parks and mechanical plant space do not constitute mixed-use functions. Functions are denoted on CTBUH "Tallest Building" lists in descending order, e.g., "hotel/office" indicates hotel function above office function.
A mixed-use tall building contains two or more functions (or uses), where each of the functions occupy a significant proportion of the tower's total space. Support areas such as car parks and mechanical plant space do not constitute mixed-use functions. Functions are denoted on CTBUH "Tallest Building" lists in descending order, e.g., "hotel/office" indicates hotel function above office function.
Residential
Structural Material
All-Steel
Both the main vertical/lateral structural elements and the floor spanning systems are constructed from steel. Note that a building of steel construction with a floor system of concrete planks or concrete slab on top of steel beams is still considered an “all-steel” structure as the concrete elements are not acting as the primary structure.
All-Concrete
Both the main vertical/lateral structural elements and the floor spanning systems are constructed from concrete which has been cast in place and utilizes steel reinforcement bars and/or steel reinforced concrete which has been precast as individual components and assembled together on-site.
All-Timber
Both the main vertical/lateral structural elements and the floor spanning systems are constructed from timber. An all-timber structure may include the use of localized non-timber connections between timber elements. Note that a building of timber construction with a floor system of concrete planks or concrete slab on top of timber beams is still considered an “all-timber” structure as the concrete elements are not acting as the primary structure.
Mixed-Structure
Utilizes distinct systems (e.g. all-steel, all-concrete, all-timber), one on top of the other. For example, a Steel Over Concrete indicates an all-steel structural system located on top of an all-concrete structural system, with the opposite true of Concrete Over Steel.
Composite
A combination of materials (e.g. steel, concrete, timber) are used together in the main structural elements. Examples include buildings which utilize: steel columns with a floor system of reinforced concrete beams; a steel frame system with a concrete core; concrete-encased steel columns; concrete-filled steel tubes; etc. Where known, the CTBUH database breaks out the materials used within a composite building’s primary structural elements.
Both the main vertical/lateral structural elements and the floor spanning systems are constructed from steel. Note that a building of steel construction with a floor system of concrete planks or concrete slab on top of steel beams is still considered an “all-steel” structure as the concrete elements are not acting as the primary structure.
All-Concrete
Both the main vertical/lateral structural elements and the floor spanning systems are constructed from concrete which has been cast in place and utilizes steel reinforcement bars and/or steel reinforced concrete which has been precast as individual components and assembled together on-site.
All-Timber
Both the main vertical/lateral structural elements and the floor spanning systems are constructed from timber. An all-timber structure may include the use of localized non-timber connections between timber elements. Note that a building of timber construction with a floor system of concrete planks or concrete slab on top of timber beams is still considered an “all-timber” structure as the concrete elements are not acting as the primary structure.
Mixed-Structure
Utilizes distinct systems (e.g. all-steel, all-concrete, all-timber), one on top of the other. For example, a Steel Over Concrete indicates an all-steel structural system located on top of an all-concrete structural system, with the opposite true of Concrete Over Steel.
Composite
A combination of materials (e.g. steel, concrete, timber) are used together in the main structural elements. Examples include buildings which utilize: steel columns with a floor system of reinforced concrete beams; a steel frame system with a concrete core; concrete-encased steel columns; concrete-filled steel tubes; etc. Where known, the CTBUH database breaks out the materials used within a composite building’s primary structural elements.
All-Concrete
Official Website
Height
Architectural
Height is measured from the level of the lowest, significant, open-air, pedestrian entrance to
the architectural top of the building, including spires, but not including antennae, signage,
flag poles or other functional-technical equipment. This measurement is the most widely utilized
and is employed to define the Council on Tall Buildings and Urban Habitat (CTBUH) rankings of
the "World's Tallest Buildings."
320.1 m / 1,050 ft
To Tip
Height is measured from the level of the lowest, significant, open-air, pedestrian entrance to
the highest point of the building, irrespective of material or function of the highest element
(i.e., including antennae, flagpoles, signage and other functional-technical equipment).
320.1 m
/ 1,050 ft
Occupied
Height is measured from the level of the lowest, significant, open-air, pedestrian entrance to
the highest occupied floor within the building.
271.3 m
/ 890 ft
Floors Above Ground
The number of floors above ground should include the ground floor level and be the number of main
floors above ground, including any significant mezzanine floors and major mechanical plant floors.
Mechanical mezzanines should not be included if they have a significantly smaller floor area than
the major floors below. Similarly, mechanical penthouses or plant rooms protruding above the general
roof area should not be counted. Note: CTBUH floor counts may differ from published accounts, as it
is common in some regions of the world for certain floor levels not to be included (e.g., the level
4, 14, 24, etc. in Hong Kong).
77
Floors Below Ground
The number of floors below ground should include all major floors located below the ground floor
level.
2
# of Apartments
Number of Apartments refers to the total number of residential units (including both rental units
and condominiums) contained within a particular building.
162
# of Elevators
Number of Elevators refers to the total number of elevator cars (not shafts) contained within a
particular building (including public, private and freight elevators).
6
Top Elevator Speed
Top Elevator Speed refers to the top speed capable of being achieved by an elevator within a
particular building, measured in meters per second.
7.1 m/s
Tower GFA
Tower GFA refers to the total gross floor area within the tower footprint, not including adjoining
podiums, connected buildings or other towers within the development.
67,355 m² / 725,003 ft²
Rankings
-
By function
You must be a CTBUH Member to view this resource.
-
By material
You must be a CTBUH Member to view this resource.
#
148
Tallest in the World
#
18
Tallest in
North America
#
18
Tallest in
United States
#
10
Tallest in
New York City
Construction Schedule
2006
Proposed
2015
Construction Start
2019
Completed
Owner/Developer
Architect
Architect of Record
Usually takes on the balance of the architectural effort not executed by the "Design Architect," typically responsible for the construction documents, conforming to local codes, etc. May often be referred to as "Executive," "Associate," or "Local" Architect, however, for consistency CTBUH uses the term "Architect of Record" exclusively.
Structural Engineer
Design
The Design Engineer is usually involved in the front end design, typically taking the leadership role in the Schematic Design and Design Development, and then a monitoring role through the CD and CA phases.
MEP Engineer
Design
The Design Engineer is usually involved in the front end design, typically taking the leadership role in the Schematic Design and Design Development, and then a monitoring role through the CD and CA phases.
Contractor
Main Contractor
The main contractor is the supervisory contractor of all construction work on a project, management of sub-contractors and vendors, etc. May be referred to as "Construction Manager," however, for consistency CTBUH uses the term "Main Contractor" exclusively.
Other Consultant
Other Consultant refers to other organizations which provided significant consultation services for a building project (e.g. wind consultants, environmental consultants, fire and life safety consultants, etc).
Other Consultant refers to other organizations which provided significant consultation services for a building project (e.g. wind consultants, environmental consultants, fire and life safety consultants, etc).
Civil
Environmental
Geotechnical
Land Surveyor
Material Supplier
Material Supplier refers to organizations which supplied significant systems/materials for a building project (e.g. elevator suppliers, facade suppliers, etc).
Material Supplier refers to organizations which supplied significant systems/materials for a building project (e.g. elevator suppliers, facade suppliers, etc).
Cladding
Façade Maintenance Equipment
You must be a CTBUH Member to view this resource.
Owner
Hines; Goldman Sachs; Pontiac Land Group
Developer
Architect
Design
Usually involved in the front end design, with a "typical" condition being that of a leadership role through either Schematic Design or Design Development, and then a monitoring role through the CD and CA phases.
Ateliers Jean Nouvel
Architect of Record
Usually takes on the balance of the architectural effort not executed by the "Design Architect," typically responsible for the construction documents, conforming to local codes, etc. May often be referred to as "Executive," "Associate," or "Local" Architect, however, for consistency CTBUH uses the term "Architect of Record" exclusively.
AAI Architects, P.C.; SLCE Architects
Structural Engineer
Design
The Design Engineer is usually involved in the front end design, typically taking the leadership role in the Schematic Design and Design Development, and then a monitoring role through the CD and CA phases.
MEP Engineer
Design
The Design Engineer is usually involved in the front end design, typically taking the leadership role in the Schematic Design and Design Development, and then a monitoring role through the CD and CA phases.
Contractor
Main Contractor
The main contractor is the supervisory contractor of all construction work on a project, management of sub-contractors and vendors, etc. May be referred to as "Construction Manager," however, for consistency CTBUH uses the term "Main Contractor" exclusively.
Other Consultant
Other Consultant refers to other organizations which provided significant consultation services for a building project (e.g. wind consultants, environmental consultants, fire and life safety consultants, etc).
Other Consultant refers to other organizations which provided significant consultation services for a building project (e.g. wind consultants, environmental consultants, fire and life safety consultants, etc).
Building Monitoring
Vidaris, Inc.
Civil
Energy Concept
Vidaris, Inc.
Environmental
Façade
These are firms that consult on the design of a building's façade. May often be referred to as "Cladding," "Envelope," "Exterior Wall," or "Curtain Wall" Consultant, however, for consistency CTBUH uses the term "Façade Consultant" exclusively.
Vidaris, Inc.
Geotechnical
Interiors
The Office of Thierry W Despont Ltd.
Land Surveyor
Landscape
Patrick Blanc
Marketing
Corcoran Sunshine Marketing Group; Knightsbridge Strategies
Roofing
Vidaris, Inc.
Security
Kroll Inc
Sustainability
Vidaris, Inc.
Material Supplier
Material Supplier refers to organizations which supplied significant systems/materials for a building project (e.g. elevator suppliers, facade suppliers, etc).
Material Supplier refers to organizations which supplied significant systems/materials for a building project (e.g. elevator suppliers, facade suppliers, etc).
Cladding
Concrete
Ferrara Brothers
Crane
Morrow Equipment Company
Façade Maintenance Equipment
CTBUH Awards & Distinctions
Best Tall Building, by Height, 300-399 meters 2021 Award of Excellence
2021 CTBUH Awards
CTBUH Initiatives
CTBUH Study Examines Tallest Buildings with Dampers
22 August 2018 - CTBUH Research
Skin NY
27 August 2015 - Event
Videos
26 October 2015 | New York City
The New Supers: Super-Slender Towers of New York
432 Park Avenue, the MoMA Tower and Steinway Tower at 111 West 57th Street are the first of a new generation of supertall buildings in...
Research
12 December 2019
Interactive Study on Year in Review: Tall Trends of 2019
CTBUH Research
The year 2019 was remarkable for the tall building industry, with 26 supertall buildings (300 meters or taller) completed, the most in any year. This...
Global News
02 January 2019
Final Segment of 53 West 53rd Street’s Apex Installed in New York City
The final piece of the third and highest apex of Jean Nouvel’s first residential skyscraper was anchored and installed over Midtown in late December 2018....
Research
12 December 2019
Interactive Study on Year in Review: Tall Trends of 2019
CTBUH Research
The year 2019 was remarkable for the tall building industry, with 26 supertall buildings (300 meters or taller) completed, the most in any year. This...
26 October 2015
The New Supers: Super-Slender Towers of New York
Silvian Marcus, WSP Group
432 Park Avenue, the MoMA Tower and Steinway Tower at 111 West 57th Street are the first of a new generation of supertall buildings in...
22 October 2015
New York: The Ultimate Skyscraper Laboratory
CTBUH Research
A timeline of skyscraper completions in New York uncannily resembles the boom and bust cycles of the United States in the 20th and early 21st...
MarshallGerometta.jpg)
22 October 2015
Perspectives on the Skyscraper City
New York 2015 Conference Special
To commemorate the CTBUH 2015 International Conference, some of the most prominent voices in the New York tall building industry today – all of whom...
CTBUH Initiatives
22 August 2018
CTBUH Study Examines Tallest Buildings with Dampers
CTBUH has released a Tall Buildings in Numbers (TBIN) interactive data study on the world's tallest buildings with dampers.
27 August 2015
Skin NY
CTBUH New York, in association with the New York Young Professionals Committee hosted an event entitled Skin:NY that focused on high-rise façade design and construction
30 July 2015
The Current State of Slender Buildings in NYC
SHoP Architects welcomed a group of architects and engineers for a lively discussion and exchange of ideas about slender buildings.
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