Lever House

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Lever House Curtain wall

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Lever House ground floor lobby-crop

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Park Avenue at 53rd Street - Newyork1973 15

Lever House is a seminal glass-box skyscraper located at 390 Park Avenue in the Midtown Manhattan district of New York City. Completed in 1952, it was designed by Gordon Bunshaft and Natalie de Blois of Skidmore, Owings & Merrill (SOM), one of the leading architectural firms of the 20th century. Lever House marked a significant departure from traditional skyscraper design and heralded the arrival of the International Style of architecture in the United States.

Design and Architecture

Lever House's design features a sleek, functional aesthetic characterized by its glass and steel facade. The building stands 21 stories tall and was one of the first skyscrapers to employ a curtain wall system, a non-structural outer covering that does not bear the load of the building. This innovative use of glass allowed for an abundance of natural light to penetrate the interior spaces, a stark contrast to the heavy, masonry-clad buildings of the previous era.

The ground level of Lever House is notable for its open plaza, which was a radical feature at the time of its construction. This space was designed to provide a visual and physical break in the dense urban fabric of Park Avenue, offering a public amenity rare in private developments of that period. Above this, the building's massing consists of a horizontal slab set back from the street atop a vertical, transparent column. This configuration created a distinctive silhouette that became a model for future skyscrapers.

Historical Significance

Lever House played a pivotal role in the transformation of Park Avenue and the broader architectural landscape of New York City. Its completion signaled a shift towards modernism in American architecture, influencing countless buildings that followed. The structure was commissioned by the Lever Brothers company, a British soap and detergent manufacturer, as their American headquarters, reflecting the post-World War II economic boom and the growing importance of corporate branding.

In recognition of its architectural significance, Lever House was designated a New York City Landmark in 1982 and was added to the National Register of Historic Places in 1983. These designations have helped preserve the building amidst the rapid development of Midtown Manhattan, ensuring its place in the city's architectural heritage.

Preservation and Legacy

Over the years, Lever House has undergone several renovations to maintain its structure and facade, including a comprehensive restoration in the early 2000s. These efforts have focused on preserving the building's original design integrity while updating its systems for contemporary use.

Lever House's influence can be seen in numerous skyscrapers around the world that have adopted its glass and steel aesthetic and its emphasis on transparency and light. It remains a critical example of the International Style and a testament to the vision of its architects and the innovative engineering techniques of its time.

See Also

• Skidmore, Owings & Merrill
• International Style (architecture)
• Modernism
• Curtain wall (architecture)
• Midtown Manhattan