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Things You Didn't Know: 227 Fifth

277 Fifth Avenue, designed by Rafael Viñoly Architects, captures our attention as the tallest residential building on Fifth Avenue in New York City.

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Published on
July 21, 2023
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Things You Didn't Know: Bloomberg Connects

Designed by Rafael Viñoly Architects, 277 Fifth Avenue is a condominium building located in NoMad, a vibrant Manhattan neighborhood surrounding Madison Square Park. One of New York City’s recently constructed supertall residential structures, its modern minimalist design makes it stand out on the skyline. Below, we offer you a few facts about the building, courtesy of our Archtober Guide on Bloomberg Connects.


It's the tallest building on Fifth Avenue

At 657 feet tall, the tower rises to 55 stories, making it the tallest building on New York City’s iconic Fifth Avenue.


All apartments are column-free

Given its impressive height, one would expect to find columns and supports on each of 277 Fifth’s floors. However, no residence has columns in its layout. A strong building core and perimeter columns hold up the skyscraper and ensure its structural integrity. Each residence is also a corner unit, providing the maximum amount of daylight and city views through floor-to-ceiling windows.

4-Unit Floor Plan Example. Image Credit: Rafael Viñoly Architects.


Those carved out floors are actually outdoor terraces

Looking at 277 Fifth from the street, some units seem to be carved out and missing from the façade. These loges, or private enclosures, are actually outdoor space for the building’s residents. Even hundreds of feet in the air, residents can step out into these spaces and feel the fresh air. The late Rafael Viñoly believed this form of open space and terraces in high-rise construction should be explored in New York City’s modern buildings.

Street view from corner of Fifth Avenue and W 30th Street looking south towards 277 Fifth. Image Credit: Halkin Mason


The design of the building nods to neighbors

While 277 Fifth has become an iconic modern building in New York City’s skyline, the condominium building feels at home amongst other high rises from the 1930s and 1940s, such as the Empire State Building.

View from W 23rd Street rooftop looking north towards 277 Fifth at dusk. Image Credit: Halkin Mason

Listen to Chris Curate’s exclusive audio clip on 277 Fifth’s page on the Archtober Guide to learn more about how the tallest residential building on Fifth Avenue came to be.

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