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Lever House

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Excellent
  • International Style
  • Identity of Building/Site
  • History of Building/Site
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Lever House

Through a meticulous effort with remarkable craftsmanship, the team restored and renewed Lever House to create a boutique office experience reminiscent of the landmark’s original 1952 appearance.

Credit

Lucas Blair Simpson © SOM

Site overview

Lever House is a 24-story glass and stainless steel-clad office building composed of a vertical slab rising above a horizontal base. Its construction in 1950-52 heralded the beginning of a new wave of American skyscraper construction and a new synthesis of modernist architectural ideals. Since the time of its completion, its crystalline forms and glazed curtain walls have attracted world attention. It has assumed a major role in the literature of modern architecture and has been widely recognized as a key monument in the evolution of the International Style.

Lever House

With updated plaza and outdoor spaces, a restored lobby, and new mechanical systems, Lever House is once again Park Avenue’s premier boutique office building.

Credit

Lucas Blair Simpson © SOM

Site overview

Lever House is a 24-story glass and stainless steel-clad office building composed of a vertical slab rising above a horizontal base. Its construction in 1950-52 heralded the beginning of a new wave of American skyscraper construction and a new synthesis of modernist architectural ideals. Since the time of its completion, its crystalline forms and glazed curtain walls have attracted world attention. It has assumed a major role in the literature of modern architecture and has been widely recognized as a key monument in the evolution of the International Style.

Lever House

The plaza’s paving has been fully replaced by a durable, cast-in-place concrete matching the original paving: a series of dark gray surfaces separated by a grid of light gray stripes, which follow the rhythm of the building’s structural grid.

Credit

Lucas Blair Simpson © SOM

Site overview

Lever House is a 24-story glass and stainless steel-clad office building composed of a vertical slab rising above a horizontal base. Its construction in 1950-52 heralded the beginning of a new wave of American skyscraper construction and a new synthesis of modernist architectural ideals. Since the time of its completion, its crystalline forms and glazed curtain walls have attracted world attention. It has assumed a major role in the literature of modern architecture and has been widely recognized as a key monument in the evolution of the International Style.

Lever House

Inside, the lobby’s original terrazzo flooring has been repaired. Together with the new exterior paving, this refurbishment creates a renewed sense of continuity from the outdoors as visitors transition inside.

Credit

Lucas Blair Simpson © SOM