Hearst Tower
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View of the exterior, the dialogue between old and new is a key part of the design
Chuck Choi (website) Download Original
Steel framed tower built within the shell and retaining the facades of the original 1920s headquarters of the Hearst Corporation
The 42 storey tower rises above the original building linked on the outside by a transparent skirt of glazing that allows natural light into the spaces below and encourages an impression of the tower floating above the base.
The main spatial event is a lobby that occupies the entire floor plate and rises up through six floors. This space provides access to all parts of the building. Incorporating the main elevator lobby, the cafeteria, auditorium and mezzanine levels for meetings and functions.
Structurally, the tower has a triangulated form that uses 20 percent less steel than a conventionally framed structure. With its corners peeled back between the diagonals to emphasise the towers vertical proportions and creating a distinctive silhouette.
Constructed using 80 per cent recycled steel and designed to consume 25 per cent less energy than its neighbours, it has received a gold rating under the US Green Buildings Councils Leadership in Energy and Environmental Design (LEED) program.
Data
- Begun: 2003
- Completed: 2006
- Floor area: 80,000m2
- Sector: Office
- Total cost: £300M
- Address: 300 West 57th Street, Manhattan, New York City, United States
Professional Team 
- Architect: Foster + Partners
- Client: Hearst Corporation
- Structural engineer: Cantor Seinuk Group
- Lighting design: George Sexton Associates
- Associate Architect: Adamson Associates
- M&E engineer: Flack + Kurtz
