Bank of America Tower is a model architectural and environmental citizen, despite its height: Easy on the eyes and on resources.
Although BoAT is New York’s third-tallest* skyscraper, it seems understated, just one of the crowd on 42nd Street.
Where it does stand out is its reflective, faceted design, which looks different from every angle and minute-by-minute. Bank of America Tower is surrounded by other glass buildings in different colors and patterns; their constantly changing hues, reflections and intersections are like a massive mobile. Looking up along the skin is akin to looking through a kaleidoscope.
Under the skin, Bank of America Tower is impressive for its environment-friendly features. BoAT used massive quantities of recycled materials in its construction; the building captures and uses rainwater; it has its own power plant; at night, when electrical demand is low, the building makes ice to use for cooling during peak-demand daylight hours. There’s much more – explore the Recommended Reading links below!
Bank of America Tower’s base includes the landmark Henry Miller’s Theatre (now named Stephen Sondheim Theatre) and Anita’s Way – a mid-block passageway between W 42nd and W 43rd Streets (named after Anita Durst, founder of Chashama, which transforms vacant properties into artists’ spaces). The southeast corner (6th Ave./W 43rd St.) includes an “Urban Garden Room” open to the public.
* Based on structural height, 1200 feet, which includes the spire.
Bank of America Tower Vital Statistics
- Location: One Bryant Park – Sixth Avenue between W 42nd and W 43rd Streets
- Year completed: 2009
- Architect: COOKFOX Architects
- Floors: 55
- Style: Postmodern
Bank of America Tower Recommended Reading
- Wikipedia entry
- The New York Times: Bank of America Nears Agreement With Developer to Build 42nd Street Skyscraper (May 27, 2003)
- The New York Times: Durst Gets Land to Build Tower Near Times Square (Dec. 19, 2003)
- The New York Times: High-Rises That Have Low Impact on Nature (Feb. 2, 2006)
- The New York Times: White Way Gets a ‘Green’ Theater (May 3, 2009)
- ArchDaily archive
- WiredNY archive
- COOKFOX Architects project page
- COOKFOX Architects design narrative (You Tube video)
- Tishman Construction press release
- Buildipedia feature
- Bank of America press release
- Steel Institute of America project overview
- Architectural Lighting blog