825 Eight Avenue, New York, NY 10019

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Building Details:

825 Eight Avenue is located in New York, NY.

825 Eighth Avenue, better known as Worldwide Plaza, is one of New York CityÕs most iconic buildings and a dominant presence on the Manhattan skyline. Occupying the entire block bounded by Eighth Avenue, West 50th Street, Ninth Avenue and West 49th Street, this two-million-square-foot mixed-use complex offers a unique workspace. A 49-story state-of-the-art office tower, Worldwide Plaza stands alongside a curated outdoor plaza and is surrounded by dynamic retail, dining, entertainment and recreational facilities. Worldwide Plaza received LEED Gold certification in 2012 and has been ENERGY STAR rated since 2010. Over the last 8 years, $525 million of capital improvements has been invested into the property by SL Green to solidify its place as one of ManhattanÕs premier corporate headquarter locations. The building features robust infrastructure, 20,000-35,000-square-foot floor plates, 13-foot average slab heights, spectacular 360 views, and column-free tower floors.

Designed by David Childs, of the world-renowned architectural firm Skidmore, Owings and Merrell, Worldwide Plaza is one of the most important Postmodern skyscrapers in the world and has been cited as Òthe first office building of any importance to be built west of Eighth Avenue since Raymond HoodÕs McGraw Hill Building in 1931Ó. Comprised of a granite base, a brick shaft and a striking copper crown, the design references the classic setbacks, materials and coloration of the great Art Deco and Expressionist towers of 1920s and 1930s New York.

Inset vertical piers, the use of different colors of brick and capping the buildingÕs crown with an illuminated glass pyramid (nicknamed ÒDavidÕs DiamondÓ after the architect) make Worldwide Plaza distinct. Built in 1989, the building faces two residential towers across a public plaza with a fountain designed by Sidney Simon and a unique theater center currently occupied by five off-Broadway companies.

The building rises from a site that had been a parking lot since 1968; prior to that, it was the location of the third Madison Square Garden, then home of the New York Rangers, the New York Knicks, and where actress Marilyn Monroe sang ÒHappy Birthday, Mr. PresidentÓ to JFK at the latterÕs birthday party in 1962. When the building was demolished, the neighborhood rallied to establish height codes Ð which now ensure that Worldwide Plaza will preserve its stunning views of a classic West Side neighborhood famed for its varied restaurants, street life and proximity to the Theater District.