Today marks the grand opening of 270 Park Avenue – the new state-of-the-art global headquarters for JPMorganChase. Foster + Partners has designed the 60-story skyscraper as a new addition to Park Avenue, adding to the city’s architectural history. It is New York’s largest all-electric tower with net zero operational emissions and exceptional indoor air quality that exceeds the highest standards in sustainability, health and wellness. The project defines the modern workplace with 21st century infrastructure, smart technology and 2.5 million gross square feet of flexible and collaborative space.
In 2018, Foster + Partners won the competition to design JPMorganChase’s new home for 10,000 employees and thousands of daily guests. The practice established an overall vision for the project and developed a state-of-the-art structural system to negotiate the site constraints below and at ground level. The innovative fan-column structure and triangular bracing allow the building to touch the ground lightly across the entire block, underpinning the essence of the design where the structure is the architecture and the architecture is the structure. By lifting the building approximately 80 feet (24 meters) off the ground, it extends the viewpoint from the Park Avenue entrance through to Madison Avenue.
Foster + Partners designed all the volumes throughout the tower, which were fitted out by other architects. The practice was also responsible for the fitout of the ground floor lobby and top of house, including the custom design of the furniture. The variety of activities throughout the building aims to create a ‘city within a city.’
270 Park Avenue offers 2.5 times more outdoor space on the ground level of Park and Madison Avenues than the previous building, featuring wider sidewalks and a large public plaza on Madison Avenue with natural green space and other amenities geared towards the residents, workers and visitors who frequent the neighborhood. The ground floor lobby serves as the main entrance to the building and includes a monumental staircase and mezzanine level, with ramps and lifts to ensure inclusive access for all.
The eight expansive trading floors, strategically located above, allow for better team integration and improved functionality for trading operations. At the center of the tower, the triple-height ‘Exchange’ acts as a community hub with sixteen different venues as well as spaces for town hall meetings and other large gatherings, while the top of house features an executive and client facility. The building also features a state-of-the-art health and wellness center and a curated art program – including works of art by Maya Lin, Leo Villareal, Gerhard Richter, Refik Anadol, and Norman Foster.
Foster + Partners’ design incorporates a split elevator core that creates permeability of space at the upper levels and the generous entrance lobby. Shuttle elevators take employees and visitors directly from the lobby to the ‘Exchange’ at the heart of the building, which acts as a transfer level to the upper floors. Large floorplates throughout the building will allow for adaptation over time and ensure future flexibility.
The wellbeing-focused design responds to Harvard’s research into the effects of fresh air on cognitive function, providing an outdoor air ventilation rate of 40 cubic feet per minute per person. This is double the standard-specified minimum outdoor air ventilation rate. Terraces offer views across the city and provide outdoor spaces for employees and their guests. The building also features circadian lighting throughout the office floors to support wellbeing. This lighting system aligns with natural human rhythms, enhancing the overall working environment. Triple-pane glazing contributes to increased energy efficiency and enhanced occupant comfort.
270 Park Avenue is designed to achieve LEED Platinum v4 and WELL Health-Safety Rating – and 97% of demolition materials have been recycled, reused, or upcycled.
The opening of 270 Park marks the start of renovations at JPMorganChase’s 383 Madison Avenue building, in collaboration with Foster + Partners. Both projects enhance the public realm and improve access to Grand Central Terminal.
Team:
Client: JPMorganChase
Architect: Foster + Partners
Foster + Partners Team
Norman Foster
Nigel Dancey
David Summerfield
Kirsten Scott
Mike Jelliffe
Roger Ridsdill Smith
Mike Holland
Jeremy Dworken
William Gordon
Justin Boyer
Andrea Soligon
Nicola Scaranaro
Annamaria Anderloni
Maro Riga
Mayoor Javeri Jagjiwan
Ignacio Diaz
Emma Clifford
Patrick Delahoy
Esma Karkukli
Sergio Gomez
Kris Gratze
Pepe Pozo
Stefan Bench
Franz Cosentini
Pier Rapana
Sachi Oberoi
David Rodrigues
Nicola Acquafredda
Sofia Sevillano-Sellart
Elsa Konkka
Fareed Fareed
Mickaella Pharaon
Christopher Ireland
Wenwen Wang
Jorge Pereira
Carolina Romero
Byungkyun Kim
Elena Petrova
Troy Zezula
Daniel van der Poll
Thomas Tumelty
Architect of Record: AAI Architects, PC
Structural Engineers: Foster + Partners (Competition Concept), Severud Associates (Design and Engineer of Record)
MEP Engineers: JB&B
Interiors: Gensler, SOM, STUDIOS Architecture
Civil Engineers: Philip Habib + Associates
Geotechnical Engineers: Mueser Rutledge Consulting Engineers
Development Advisers: Tishman Speyer
Design Collaborator: Vishaan Chakrabarti
Sustainability: Foster + Partners (Competition Concept), Socotec
Cost Consultant: Linesight
Main Contractor: AECOM Tishman
Vertical Transportation: EWCG
Façade Consultant: Heintges
Façade Maintenance: Entek
Wind and Ice: RWDI
Acoustics: Cerami
Landscape: Ken Smith Workshop
Lighting Designer: Tillotson Design Associates
Code Consultant: CCI
Photographer: Max Touhey, Nigel Young, Chuck Choi
