At over two million square feet, 1290 Avenue of the Americas stands as the largest asset in Vornado Realty Trust’s commercial portfolio. Facing increased competition from Manhattan’s newer, more glamorous office towers, the client sought to revitalize this 1960s Midtown icon by integrating new amenities that could attract and retain tenants. Fogarty Finger was entrusted with designing two major new spaces: a state-of-the-art fitness center in the building cellar and a striking rooftop pavilion and conference center on the 17th floor.

The standout feature of the project is the double-height rooftop pavilion, positioned along the building’s eastern façade. This flexible auditorium-style space is designed to seamlessly connect to the newly landscaped rooftop, offering expansive views of the city. To achieve this, the architecture team removed portions of the 18th floor slab in two key locations, adding significant vertical volume for pre-function areas, including a bar and reception space. Reinforced steel columns were strategically installed six stories below to support the additional weight of the pavilion.

Although compact in footprint, the rooftop pavilion makes a dramatic impact within the mid-century office tower. It functions as a versatile event space, equipped with a conference room, phone booths, and a prep kitchen to accommodate seminars, corporate parties, screenings, and more. Tours will be led by Fogarty Finger Associate Director Garrett Rock.

Visitors must be 18+