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Lever House

New York, NY, USA
Architect
Skidmore, Owings & Merrill (SOM)

Lever House is an iconic 22-story office building located in midtown Manhattan, originally designed and completed by SOM in 1952. The Modernist structure, with its signature blue-green glass and stainless steel façade, features a rectangular base suspended over a courtyard and plaza by columns, with a tower extending from its northern corner. In 2001, SOM began a renovation to modernize the building, focused on enhancing the façade using high-performance materials while preserving the building’s original design integrity. Two decades later, further restoration efforts were initiated with a focus on the ground floor, third-level terrace, and mechanical systems to improve the overall energy performance of the building. The updates, completed in 2023, include a revitalized public plaza, a fully restored lobby, and the creation of The Lever Club, an indoor-outdoor hospitality space on the tower’s third floor and terrace, solidifying Lever House’s status as a premier office building on Park Avenue.
Front consulted on the project from schematic design through construction administration with a scope that included the review of the existing curtain wall system with particular focus on persistent condensation in the shadow boxes throughout the tower, and the modification and addition of facade systems throughout the building. Specifically, Front consulted on the design of a dry air supply condensation mitigating system for shadow boxes across the entire existing curtain wall complying with strict LPC requirements, the review of the existing storefront conditions at the building lobby and 3rd floor, the design of new facade and door systems on the 3rd floor, and the review and design of modifications to the existing curtain wall interface details.
The New York Landmarks Conservancy recognized Lever House in 2024 with the Lucy G. Moses Preservation Award, its highest honor for excellence in preservation.

Lucas Blair Simpson
Lucas Blair Simpson
Lucas Blair Simpson
Lucas Blair Simpson
Lucas Blair Simpson

Lever House is an iconic 22-story office building located in midtown Manhattan, originally designed and completed by SOM in 1952. The Modernist structure, with its signature blue-green glass and stainless steel façade, features a rectangular base suspended over a courtyard and plaza by columns, with a tower extending from its northern corner. In 2001, SOM began a renovation to modernize the building, focused on enhancing the façade using high-performance materials while preserving the building’s original design integrity. Two decades later, further restoration efforts were initiated with a focus on the ground floor, third-level terrace, and mechanical systems to improve the overall energy performance of the building. The updates, completed in 2023, include a revitalized public plaza, a fully restored lobby, and the creation of The Lever Club, an indoor-outdoor hospitality space on the tower’s third floor and terrace, solidifying Lever House’s status as a premier office building on Park Avenue.
Front consulted on the project from schematic design through construction administration with a scope that included the review of the existing curtain wall system with particular focus on persistent condensation in the shadow boxes throughout the tower, and the modification and addition of facade systems throughout the building. Specifically, Front consulted on the design of a dry air supply condensation mitigating system for shadow boxes across the entire existing curtain wall complying with strict LPC requirements, the review of the existing storefront conditions at the building lobby and 3rd floor, the design of new facade and door systems on the 3rd floor, and the review and design of modifications to the existing curtain wall interface details.
The New York Landmarks Conservancy recognized Lever House in 2024 with the Lucy G. Moses Preservation Award, its highest honor for excellence in preservation.

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