Union Carbide

270 Park Avenue, Chase Manhattan
Demolished

Union Carbide

Credit

Ezra Stoller/Esto via SOM 

Site overview

Built for the Union Carbide Corporation, this sleek tower, built over railroad tracks leading out of Grand Central Terminal, was unlike its neighbors on Park Avenue when it opened. Not only was it set back in a plaza, but it also stood out for its innovative structural engineering design, which responded to the constraints of the site.

Text courtesy: SOM.com

 

Demolition of the building began in 2019 and is the world's largest structure to have been voluntarily torn down.

Union Carbide

Credit

Archive of Affinities

Site overview

Built for the Union Carbide Corporation, this sleek tower, built over railroad tracks leading out of Grand Central Terminal, was unlike its neighbors on Park Avenue when it opened. Not only was it set back in a plaza, but it also stood out for its innovative structural engineering design, which responded to the constraints of the site.

Text courtesy: SOM.com

 

Demolition of the building began in 2019 and is the world's largest structure to have been voluntarily torn down.

Union Carbide

Credit

Vintage Manhattan Skyline, Postcard: Alfred Mainzer, Inc.

Site overview

Built for the Union Carbide Corporation, this sleek tower, built over railroad tracks leading out of Grand Central Terminal, was unlike its neighbors on Park Avenue when it opened. Not only was it set back in a plaza, but it also stood out for its innovative structural engineering design, which responded to the constraints of the site.

Text courtesy: SOM.com

 

Demolition of the building began in 2019 and is the world's largest structure to have been voluntarily torn down.

Primary classification

Commercial (COM)

Designations

The NYC Landmarks Preservation Commission refused to consider the building for designation even though the office found it eligible.

Location

270 Park Avenue
New York, NY

Country

USA
Credit:

Ezra Stoller/Esto via SOM 

Credit:

Archive of Affinities

Credit:

Vintage Manhattan Skyline, Postcard: Alfred Mainzer, Inc.

Designer(s)

Other designers

Gordon Bunshaft, Natalie de Blois

Related News

Related Sites

Commission

1957

Completion

1960

Original Brief

Because of its location, the 52-story tower could have no basement under most of its bulk, and its column-footings had to be poured between active rail tracks. To counteract train vibrations — more than 500 trains passed by each day — all columns were set on vibration pads. Moreover, SOM designed the building so an underground pedestrian passage to Grand Central could be installed.

The tower's outer skin consisted of approximately 11 acres of glass, stainless steel mullions, and black sandwich panels. Inside, the ceiling system integrated lighting, air-conditioning, and connections for movable partitions — a cutting-edge feature at the time. Adjoining the tower was an annex that contained an employee cafeteria and exhibition hall.

In 1983, SOM renovated the building for a new tenant: the Manufacturers Hanover Corporation. The project presented the unique challenge of retrofitting a classic, modern skyscraper to accommodate new program requirements, energy conservation, and contemporary technology. SOM's involvement with the building continued into the 1990s, when the firm provided design services for the merger of Chemical Bank with Manufacturers Hanover Trust.  

Text courtesy: SOM.com

Significant Alteration(s) with Date(s)

1983 – Renovated by SOM for Manufacturers Hanover Corporation - new program requirements, energy conservation, and contemporary technology.

 

1990s – Design services by SOM

 

2012 – Achieved LEED Platinum Status

Current Use

Chase World Headquarters

Current Condition

In the process of being demolished. (2020)

References

De Blois, Natalie. "An Oral History with Natalie De Blois." Interview by Betty J. Blum. Chicago Architects Oral History Project. 2004. Accessed February 22, 2018. http://www.artic.edu/aic/libraries/caohp.

"JPMorgan Chase Achieves LEED® Platinum Green Building Certification for Newly Renovated Global Headquarters in New York City." January 18, 2012. Accessed February 22, 2018. https://www.businesswire.com/news/home/20120118005107/en/JPMorgan-Chase-Achieves-LEED%C2%AE-Platinum-Green-Building.

https://www.som.com/projects/union_carbide_corporation_headquarters