731 Lexington Avenue continues New York’s tradition of iconic public spaces while connecting a live-work-play lifestyle

New York, NY, USA
Mixed Use

A landmark across Manhattan and Queens, 731 Lexington is a delicate glass tower with an elegant luminous crown that glows softly in the evening skyline. The tower rises above Beacon Court — a dramatic and inviting outdoor gathering space at the crossroads of Midtown and the Upper East Side that maintains New York’s tradition of iconic public rooms. Stretching across a city block, the tower is home to the world headquarters of Bloomberg and luxury residences with spectacular views of Central Park.

The building comprises a full city block between Lexington and Third Avenues and 58th and 59th Streets.
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Stories

Beacon Court redefines possibilities and strengthens the urban fabric

Beginning as a response to programmatic and traffic considerations, Beacon Court was born — a welcoming public outdoor space at the tower’s entrance that connects 58th and 59th Streets with a pedestrian and vehicular throughway. A modern urban piazza, Beacon Court references the city’s beloved public spaces including Grand Central Station, the New York Public Library’s reading room, and Rockefeller Center’s skating rink. Directly above Beacon Court, Bloomberg Headquarters bustles from transparent offices that reveal the company’s daily worklife, lifting the veil between public and private space.

Beacon Court’s curving stainless steel and glass form gently tapers inward as it rises, inviting visitors to gaze toward the sky.
"731 Lexington remains a best-in-class Midtown tower, impeccable in its design by [Pelli Clarke & Partners], and light years ahead of the curve technologically. Bloomberg’s decision to remain is a testament to the rare and enduring quality of the tower." — Steven Roth, Chairman and CEO of Vornado Realty Trust, in 2024.
“The idea is to let Beacon Court evolve and become what it wants to be over time.” — Rafael Pelli, FAIA, LEED AP
Bloomberg’s offices surround an energetic atrium—a bustling mixing space for the company’s employees. Workspaces line the perimeter of the building, while television studios, the lobby, and a large snack bar surround the court’s curving glass walls.

Looking ahead to a sustainable future

Innovative sustainable features are embedded within the tower’s design including a high-efficiency cooling system with a low-temperature, low-flow chiller that reduces the need for fans and pumps. Daylight pours into the tower, reaching deep in the interior spaces while high-performance glass minimizes solar gain and cooling demand.

The condominiums, many with views of Central Park, occupy floors 31 through 51 of the tower. On the 30th floor are amenities for residents including a fitness center, entertainment suite, kitchen, playroom, and business center.
Thousands of people pass by 731 Lexington Avenue every day and millions more glimpse the tower’s softly glowing crown in the night sky.

More About the Project

Project Team

Project Collaborators

  • Architect of Record: SLCE Architects
  • Structural Engineer: Thornton Tomasetti
  • MEP: Flack + Kurz
  • Interior Residential Design: Jacques Grange
  • Bloomberg HQ Interiors – Studios Architecture

Project Information

  • Location: New York, New York, USA
  • Client: Vornado Realty Trust
  • Size: 1,400,000 sq. ft. / 130,064 sq. m.
  • Height: 813 ft. / 248 m.
  • Completion: 2005
  • Firm Role: Design Architect

Awards

  • 2005 Urban Land Institute - Award of Excellence
  • 2005 Architecture Record Design Award
  • 2015 Illuminating Engineering Society of North America - Award of Merit

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