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Home , Diana Agrest, Olympic Tower, Park Avenue Plaza

OCULUS on current architecture

The New York Chapter of the American Institute of Architects Volume 43, Number 3, December 1981

The Parker Meridien Hotel on West offers a Sansovina-revived bit of Venice by Tom Lee Ltd. Photo, courtesy of Tom Lee Ltd. page2 Oculus OCULUS Chapter Reports The New Midtown Arcades

Volume 43, Number 3, December 1981 by George Lewis

Oculus South Street Seaport/"Telco" Building Editor: C. Ray Smith Across Front Street, just to the west Managing Editor: Marian Page of the Schermerhorn Block, a large Art Director: Abigail Sturges and bulky telephone building utilizing Typesetting: Susan Schechter air rights from the South Street The New York Chapter of Historic District had been approved the American Institute of Architects some years ago. Subsequently a new The Urban Center, 457 Madison A venue, developer gained Planning Commission New York, New York 10022 approval to proceed within the Telco 212-838-9670 envelope with a commercial building. In the process a low addition appeared George S. Lewis, Executive Director on the north, Fulton Street side. The chapter's special committee, Executive Committee 1981-82: Michael Parley chairman, wrote the Joseph Wasserman, President Arthur I. Rosenblatt, First Vice President Landmarks Commission, expressing Tician Papachristou, Vice President "dismay" at the bulk, questioning the With the cold weather upon us, the Robert Siegel, Vice President CPC approval process of the new through-block arcades in Terrance Williams, Secretary transformation to commercial, and midtown will be getting Alan Schwartzman, Treasurer particularly objecting to the addition, their true testing. Among them, Park Frank Eliseo or "bustle," which would cut off the Avenue Plaza at the Fisher Brothers William Ellis view of Schermerhorn as one building (behind the Racquet Club) has Theodore Liebman approached down Fulton. The been recently completed, and Olympic Nancy A. Miao Stuart Pertz Landmarks Commission on November Place at has been Mildred F. Schmertz 10 disapproved the "bustle" and the redesigned. materials on the building proper. At Plaza, the Natural NYC/AIA Staff Proposed Tower, Upper East Side Source restaurant may look like a Cathanne Piesla Carol Jones Historic District private press party because of its too­ Jeannette Manzo In a controversial decision attracting sparkling white tablecloths, but it is Eileen McGrath wide attention, the Landmarks now open to the public as a not-to-be­ Commission has denied by 6-5 vote on missed midtown eatery. The © 1981 The New York Chapter of the November 10 a Certificate of restaurant serves breakfast from 8 American Institute of Architects. Appropriateness for a slender, 245 am, and lunch and snacks until 7 pm foot tower close to the corner of 71st (sandwiches at around $5. 75, salads Street and . The around $6.50, and entrees from $5. 75 tower, designed by Diana Agrest and to $10.50); dinner service and a wine Photo, this page, column 3: Mario Gandelsonas in association with license are expected shortly. At lunch, The Garnier-reduplicated lobby-passageway at Gruzen & Partners, was admired for the fountain encloses the open space the Helmsley-Palace Hote~ another confection the sensitivity of its design by with sound, muffles conversation, and by Sara Tomerlin Lee, additionally offers one of supporters and opponents alike, but gives calm and intimacy to the Manhattan's unique urban vistas-up the baroque stair to the gothic Lady Chapel of St. many of the latter objected because of luscious, greenhouse-like, seemingly Patrick's Cathedral. its location in the low-rise Frick block. sunny arcade. It is surely the best A special chapter committee, public amenity we have gotten so far confirmed by the Executive from the through-block-arcade legislation. Committee, voted to appro·ve the design, pointing out that it would Le Cafe Delices la Cote Basque at enrich the Historic District and be Olympic Place offers another midtown viewed as a Madison Avenue building, lunchspot. The atmosphere here is not an encroachment on the block. One busy and bustling, with a splashing, now wonders how the Commission will bumptious waterfall and layer-on- . deal with other applicants to come­ layer of wire lattice. Breakfast is how a felicitous evolution of the served from 8 until 11 am, lunch from District will be guided. 11 am until 9 pm (soups at $9. 75, salads from $4. 75 to $7.25, entrees from $5.25 St. Bart's, Cont. to $6. 75), and dinner until 10:90 pm. Alan Melting, chairman of the After al~ these enclosed arcades may Chapter's special committee, testified ultimately provide a balance, in our at a Community Board 5 hearing seasonal climate, to the previous cont'd. p. 8, col 9 generation's outdoor plazas. CRS!MP Oculus page3

On Olympic Place On Olympic Place and On Park Avenue Plaza

by Jaquelin Robertson by Jim Morgan by Jonathan Morse

·Olympic Tower was, from the start, a It may surprise admirers of the new Oculus called the other day to ask for marriage of convenience-albeit a arcade restaurants at Olympic Tower my views on the "Galleria" in the forced one-coupling a clearly and Park Avenue Plaza-with their Fisher Brothers' building behind the perceived public policy about luxury crisp napery, gleaming tablewear, Racquet & Tennis Club. Delighted to retailing with more experimental flowers, and hovering waiters - to oblige, as I had been curious myself, I urban design ideas. learn that they are totally illegal. grabbed my faithful mentor and attorney, Alan J.B. Aronsohn, and off Simply put, the Special In both cases, when the proposed we went for what turned out to be a District was specifically created to designs were presented to Manhattan most pleasant lunch. The space itself stop a serious erosion of luxury retail Community Board 5, the food offered is very SOM, but with a lavish supply space along New York's most from the kiosks in the arcades of trees, water, light, and people. A prestigious shopping street. The new was limited to counter service. All gay, "Hello Mr. Morse," rang out as I legislation sought to reverse this tables and chairs were to be "areas mtered- not from a well-tipped trend by: 1) mandating selected where the public can relax and not feel maitre-d', but from Larry Fisher's ground floor retail uses (i.e. no banks, obligated to purchase food or other grandson, who was sitting in the airline offices, etc.); 2) eliminating set­ items." I am quoting from the City "cheap seats" with his construction backs in order to maintain a Planning Commission's own crew. Since our counselor is hardly a continuous shopping fyontage; 3) legislative report for Park Avenue "brown bag" type of person, we placing office entrances off the Plaza. In the case of Olympic Tower, proceeded to the "white table cloth" avenue; 4) creating mid-block covered when Jaque Robertson presented section. arcades as alternatives to open plazas plans to the Community Board for (these to have smaller retail outlets, redesign of the arcade a couple of Lunch, provided by The Natural restaurants, newsstands, etc. as well years ago, he assured us that an:t Source, a small but growing operation as serve as entrance foyers for offices). restaurant-style dining would be on with three other restaurants in New the level beneath the ground floor and York and Fire Island, was delightful. But the real hook lay in the incentives. that in the public arcade the kiosk Our attorney had a pasta al pesto, In order to encourage development of would offer its expensive pastries and and your correspondent had a more than the minimal mandated level espresso only at the counter. Park Mediterranean seafood salad that was of retail, a 20% bonus in floor space Avenue Plaza also promised that its so superior to what is served next was offered; this to be occupied by restaurant-style facilities would be door that thoughts of resignation luxury housing. elsewhere. flitted briefly through his mind. Missing his prandial glass of white The resulting 52-story mixed-use Thus the present arrangements, wine, he was assured that the wine Olympic Tower had an exquisite logic: however gracious they may appear to license was on its way. Prudence while it resulted in a bigger building, the uninformed eye, clearly abrogate dictated against sampling the its density at 21.6 FAR was less than a the terms of the incentive desserts, but there was no reason to cont'd. p. 7, col 1 agreements made with the City. disbelieve our attractive and helpful cont'd. p. 7, coL 2 waiter when he pointed out that they Jaquelin Robertson of Eisenman-Robertson cont'd. p. 7, coL 3 proposed and prepared the special Fifth Avenue Zoning District under which Jim Morgan, architect, is a tireless and Jonathan Morse, architect, is president of Olympic Tower was originally conceived insightful campaigner for urban amenities the development firm, The Cowperwood and built, and was later involved with the as a member of Manhattan's Community Interests. He led the Racquet Club's fight interior design of Olympic Place as part of Board 5 and as an author. He teaches at against the Fisher Brothers building by the development team. Pratt. proposing the hotel over the Club. OCULUS NYC/ AIA DEC 81 CONTINUING EVENTS Oculus welcomes information for the P.B. WIGHT: ARCHITECT THE BEST LAID PLANS ... BEYOND TRADITION: 25th MANHATTAN ADDITIONS: TWO calendar pertaining to public events about CONTRACTOR, CRITIC 1838-1925 ALTERED NEW YORK BUILDINGS ANNIVERSARY EXHIBITION APARTMENT BUILDINGS architecture and the other design National Academy of Design, 1083 Exhibition of blueprints, drawings, American Crafts Museum, 44 W. 53 Exhibition of drawings and models by professions. It is due by the 7th of the Fifth Ave. at 89 St. Closes Dec. 6. plans from 1866 to 1981, presented by St. Opened Oct. 3; closes Jan.10. Diana Agrest and Mario Gandelsonas. month for the following month's issue. the Municipal Archives, Surrogates The Lobby, 369 Lexington Ave. at 41 Because of the time /,ag between THE WORK OF KARL SCHINKEL Court House, 31 Chambers St. BERENICE ABBOTT: St. Opened Oct. 27; closes Jan.15. information received and printed, final Avery Hall, Columbia Campus. Opened Oct. 1; closes Dec. 31. THE 20s AND 30s details of events are likely to change. It is Information 280-3414. Opened Exhibition of prints by the SUBURBS recommended, therefore, that events be Nov.16; closes Dec.15. WINDOW, ROOM, FURNITURE photographer including her Exhibition. Cooper-Hewitt Museum, checked with the institutions before Exhibition of responses to these documentation of a changing New 2 E. 91 St. Opened Nov.10; closes attending. ARCOS AN.TI elements by artists and architects. York- buildings, streets, shops, Jan. 24. Video and slide presentation Houghton Gallery, , 3rd neighborhoods, waterfront-between Send Oculus Calendar information to: covering Paoli Soleri' s town under Ave. and 7 St. Opened Nov. 30; closes 1929 and 1939. International Center New York Chapter/AJA, 457 Madison construction in Arizona. Zona Dec. 31. of Photography, 1130 5th Ave. at 94 Avenue, N. Y. 10022. Gallery, 484 Broome St. Closes Dec. 31. St. Opened Nov. 22; closes Jan.10.

TUESDAYl WEDNESDAY2 THUR~DAY3 FRIDAY 4 SEVENTY-FIFTH ANNIVERSARY FORUMS ON FORM : ZONING, SOLAR CONCEPTS OF MORGAN LIBRARY BUILDING Lecture by Robert A.M. Stern on PLANNING, DEVELOPMENT On Saturday, December 5, William Exhibition of sketches and plans of Robert A.M. Stern 1965-1980: First session of course with Richard Chaless, passive solar architect in the the McKim, Mead & White building. Towards a Modern Architecture Bernstein. Six Thursdays, 5:50-7:35. East Hampton area will discuss his Morgan Library, 29 E. 36 St. Opened after Modernism (Rizzoli). Urban $80. New School, 66 W.12. 741-5690. design concepts at a meeting of the Nov.10; closes Feb. 7.. Center Books, 457 Madison Ave. Long Island Solar Energy 12:30-1:30 pm. THE MANHATTAN TRANSCRIPTS Association. Brookhaven National THE MAYOR'S HOUSE: GRACIE Exhibition of theoretical drawings by Laboratory, William Floyd Parkway MANSION, OTHER DWELLINGS REVIEW OF REVIEWS Bernard Tschumi. Max Protetch, 37 (Exit 68 on L.I. Expressway). 12 noon. Exhibition. The New York Historical Roundtable of journalists discusses W. 57 St. Closes Jan. 2 Society, 170 West. reviews of Tom Wolfe's From Opened Nov.19; closes Mar.1. Bauhaus to Our House moderated by HARMONY IN HEALTH DESIGN Suzanne Stephens. 6:30. The Lecture by Emily Malino on hospital Architectural League, 457 Madison interiors. NYC/AIA, 457 Madison Ave. 5 Ave. 753-1722. pm. 838-9670 MONDAY7 TUESDAYS WEDNESDAY9 THURSDAYlO FRIDAYll LIGHTING WORLD INTERNATIONAL FORUMS ON FORM THE MAKING OF AN ARCHITECT, THREE PROJECTS: ONE FORM First Advanced Illumfoation - Lecture by Richard Haas on his book, 1881-1981 Lecture by Steven Holl, Assistant Exposition & Conference, Dec. 7-9. Richard Haas: An Architecture of Centennial exhibition, Columbia Professor of Architecture, Columbia, The Sheraton Centre, 7th Ave. & 52 Illusion (Rizzoli). MAS secretary University Graduate School of and manager of "Pamphlet St. Information: Robert A. Weissman, Gordon Hyatt will introduce. Urban Architecture including: student work Architecture," in fall series. The National Expositions Co. 391-9111. Center Books, 457 Madison Ave. dating back to 1880s, a selection of Open Atelier of Design, 12 W. 29 St. 6 12:30-1:30. the best architectural pm. $11 with advanced reservation. LOOKING AT OPEN SPACES accomplishments of Columbia alumni, 686-8698. Final lecture by August Heckscher in RICHARD G. STEIN: FORTY YEARS and a special display showing series on Cities. Cooper-Hewitt, 2 E. OF ARCHITECTURAL WORK Columbia's influence on New York THE REPLY TIME: KENNETH 91 St., 6:15 pm. 860-6868. Covers work from 1940 to current City's built environment. National FRAMPTON projects-1980. Closes Dec. 31. Academy of Design, Fifth Ave. and 89 Discussion of his book, Modern HEALING URBAN SCARS The Urban Center, 457 St. Closes Jan. 10. Architecture: A Critical History, and Exhibition of Richard Haas's exterior Madison Ave. 838-9670. reply to his critics. 6:30 pm. The wall paintings. The Municipal Art Architectural League, 457 Madison Society in the Urban Center, 457 Ave. 753-1722. Madison Ave. 935-3960. Closes Jan.15. MONDAY14 TUESDAY15 WEDNESDAY 16 THURSDAY17 FRIDAY 18 A SEMINAR ON THE WORK OF THE MANHATTAN TRANSCRIPTS THREE PROJECTS: ONE FORM RICHARD G. STEIN Bernard Tschumi's discussion of his Lecture in fall series: Taft Architects A seminar in conjunction with the work in connection with exhibition at of Houston, John J. Casbarian, exhibition (see Dec. 8). NYC/AIA, Max Protetch gallery (see Dec. 3). Robert H. Timme, Danny Samuels, 457 Madison Ave. 6 pm. 838-9670. 6:30 pm. The Architectural partners. The Open Atelier of League, 457 Madison Ave. 753-1722. Design, 12 W. 29 St. 6 pm. $11 with THE MOVE TO IMPROVE: advanced reservation. 686-8698. THE BANANA KELLY'S PIONEERS Exhibition of urban revitalization in the South Bronx. The Municipal Art Society in the Urban Center, 457 Madison Ave. 935-3960. Closes Jan. 30.

MONDAY21 TUESDAY22 WEDNESDAY 23 THURSDAY24 FRIDAY25 COMPUTER AIDED CONSTRUCTION COST ESTIMATING 2-day seminar/workshop on the latest methods and most comprehensive data base in the construction industry. Grand Hyatt Hotel, Park ~ Ave. at Grand Central. Information: Pat Houghton, 490-3898. c~~cd . ~ MONDAY28 TUESDAY29 WEDNESDAY 30 THURSDAY31

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J page6 Oculus

1. At Park Avenue Plaza a skylighted 3. At Olympic Place a cafe upstairs and a glass­ waterfall (left of photo) and round food-serving enclosed restaurant below look out onto a three­ kiosks at each end enclose the Natural Source tiered waterfall and pool (to the left of camera). restaurant. 4. Public seating at the south end of Olympic 2. Between the trees and kiosks at each end of Place recalls a French park. The wire mesh the Fisher Brothers building arcade are groups furniture reiterates the overall lattice motif of tables and chairs for public seating. All photos, except as noted, Stan Ries.

1 3 Oculus page7 On Olympic Place On Olympic Place and On Park Avenue Plaza Park Avenue Plaza

cont'd. from p. 3 cont'd. from p. 3 cont'd. from p. 3 permitted pure office tower at 18.0. Strangely enough, the only through­ were the "specialite de la maison." Furthermore, this smaller population block arcade where space was The table settings of white napery, a came and went at different times specifically set aside for a cafe with single red rose, and glass china were reducing peak congestion; costly city waiter service is the Galleria on 57th very pleasant indeed. infrastructure was used more Street. Yet the owners of_ that desolate economically over a 24-hour, 7-day-a­ place have never gotten around to It's obvious what Jim Morgan, ever week period. offering the amenity- or any other for the non-conformist, would find that matter. There is of course one objectionable in such an elegant and Without doubt the Arlen/Onassis arcade where public seating is clearly pleasant setting, but rather than take commitment turned the retail tide on offered: Citicorp (ironic to me because issue with him, I'd prefer to thank him Fifth Avenue and introduced a new it is the only one that real-estate publicly for his efforts, which are so sense of international presence. The dominated Community Board 5 did not richly rewarded here. The public building itself, while architecturally negotiate). toilets he campaigned so long and bland and revealing nothing of its bitterly for are here; clean, accessible, complex inner life (physically just What is left at the Olympic Tower and and a tribute to his unrelenting zeal. another featureless brown office box), Park Avenue Plaza arcades are a few Of course, he objectsto a private became New York's most famous chairs on the fringes where the restaurant, and would prefer more symbol of the influx of new foreign average citizen feels he or she is free tables, but it is precisely the money. welcome to sit down and relax even restaurant that animates the space, though in fact every seat is theirs to staffs it, cleans it, and makes the free Now attention focuses on Olympic use freely. Once informed that all tables so attractive. Place-accompanied both by a loss of seats are public, it takes a bold person memory and a new and different set of indeed to go sit at one of the linen­ No doubt Jim's "provo" mentality priorities. Is the refurbished (or more covered tables just to rest his feet or would delight in seeing a hundred bag accurately, "completed") arcade read a newspaper. ladies playing a Felliniesque drama in serving its intended purpose? Is it as this coolly elegant space, but I, for good as an open plaza? Does it serve The issue has a doubly-negative effect: one, would not. No, I'm very pleased the public? When the developers brought their to see that New York has at last a original schemes to the City, asking sophisticated, public/private place, Yes. Precisely. Despite real physical for floor-area bonuses (Olympic Tower similar to the successful ones that constraints, the through-block space got 44 percent more than the zoning generations of artists, writers, and offers extensive public seating, resolution maximum), they agreed in architects have admired in ; restrooms, telephones; new retail return that the arcades would be rarely, if ever, to find them at home. frontages (a bookstall/newsstand, and completely public space, except florist); a sidewalk cafe and bar and a perhaps for a small kiosk selling candy So-thank you Larry, Murray, Arnold concourse level restaurant; weekly and soda. By this means was created a and Sandy, and all the other Fisher public concerts; new graphics, generation of daylight-obliterating people; thank you Jim, Betty, Hal, and lighting, and landscaping; improved monsters whose deadly effect, on all the Community Board 5 people; exterior identification ... all as Madison Avenue for instance, is just thanks Raul, Mike, Paul, and the gang originally envisioned and as more now beginning to be seen. Even the at SOM. New York has a successful recently directed by the City and Mayor wants the developers (when it "Galleria" and the Racquet Club approved by the Community Board. is much too late) to move along. finally has an elegant place to eat!

In this sense, as a covered pedestrian But that is why the usurping of space in the Fifth Avenue District, promised public seating by potentially Olympic Place should be seen in a profit-making restaurants is such a different light from other Midtown bitter pill for those of us who have examples and judged against the warned for half-a-dozen years of the intentions of the District. Only use­ deleterious effect of overbuilding in over-time will tell how well it Midtown. performs as a supporting component of its hi-rent area-and whether or not we continue to think this sort of role important. page8 Oculus

Names and News Career Day Joint Project with COPAR

by Charles C.B. Moore Edward Larrabee Barnes Associates In a joint project of the chapter and has been commissioned to design a the New York Committee for the new mathematics and computer Preservation of Architectural Records/ science building on the Amherst COP AR a letter was addressed to College campus .... Cavaglieri/ Emeritus members of the chapter Edelman are co-architects with SITE during the summer requesting data Projects to convert the former Police about the history of New York Headquarters Beaux Arts building at architects and firms in practice in the 240 Centre Street into a 125-room period 1900 to 1941. Grand Hotel de Ville. The building's domed exterior will be returned to its Thirty-one answers have been received appearance when Hopin & Koen so far. The Committee welcomes designed it at the turn of the· century. comments on its questionnaire as to A new interior will include "an atrium form or substance. Some important rising 164 feet into the dome," 97 ,000 addressees have not yet responded; square feet of room accommodations, Over 600 students attended "Career follow-up is in progress. 14,000 square feet of retail space, Day" at the High School of Art and 20,000 square feet for community use, Design in October for an all-day series Information received is being and a theater at basement level .... of seminars on careers in architecture. correlated, and will extend the valuable Michael Graves has been commissioned Representatives from 22 schools of early history of New York architects by the Whitney Museum of American architecture were on hand to answer assembled in a booklet published in Art to design an extension of its questions. The highly successful 1979 by Dennis Steadman Francis, Marcel Breuer-designed building on annual event is sponsored by the Architects in Practice, , Madison Avenue at 75th Street to take National Institute for Architectural 1840to1900. New data will be up the rest of the Madison Avenue Education and NYC/AIA. deposited for general reference at block-front .... Three NY Chapter chapter headquarters and also with the members received awards in the 1981 National Catalog of American New York State Association of Civic Center, which was built in the Architectural Records of the Library of Architects/AIA design awards 1840s and is listed in the Federal Congress. It is hoped that other AIA program to honor distinguished design Register of Historic Places .... chapters will make similar efforts to in New York State: Alfredo DeVido for Gruzen & Partners are the architects record history of their areas. a townhouse in ; Ashok M. for a 400-room hotel on the west side Bhavnani for a Creative and of between 51st and 52nd Performing Arts Center at Wheatley Streets; it will be built over an Heights, New York; and Paul Segal existing four-story building. The Chapter Reports Associates for an apartment in developer is N ovotel, the -based Manhattan .... Cooper-Hewitt Museum hotel chain .... Deadline for mailing cont'd. from p. 2 and Parsons School of Design have entries to the 1982 Illumination November 19 that "the proposal to announced the first comprehensive Engineering Society Lighting Design redevelop any portion of the landmark program in the U.S. leading to a Awards is March 3, 1982: Illuminating church, community house, terrace or master of arts degree in the history of Engineering Society, 345 E. 47 St., garden is totally inappropriate to the decorative arts to begin in 644-7924 .... The National Institute for their historic designation and to September 1982. For further Architectural Education has landmark law." information: 741-8910 .... Perkins & announced two 1982 fellowships: Will of New York are architects for a 1) The William Van Alen Architect Stein Exhibition at Urban Center 180,000 square foot addition and Memorial Fellowship offering $20,600 On Tuesday, December 8 an 125,000 square feet of alterations for in prizes is open to students working exhibition, "Richard G. Stein: Forty the NewYork Hospita!-Cornell Medical toward a degree in architectural or Years of Architectural Work" will Center over East 70 Street .... Haines engineering schools full or part time. open, to run through the month. Many Lundberg Waehler and FEAL, a major 2) The 1982 Lloyd Warren Fellowship people missed it when it was shown at construction organization in Italy, 69th Paris Prize offering $2,600 in Cooper Union last year, and we are have announced the formation of the prizes. Participants must have or presenting it again to honor the Italian-based company, Architectural anticipate receiving a professional Chapte:t's 1981 recipient of the Medal Design Consultants International degree in architecture from a U.S. of Honor. There will be a seminar on (ADC!), to offer complete design and school of architecture between June December 14, at 6:00 p.m. to discuss building services .... Conklin & 1979 and December 1982. Information Mr. Stein's work in the light of current Rossant have been named architects to and official registration forms for both architectural debate. restore the exterior and remodel the fellowships: NIAE, 139 E. 52 St., New interior of the Brooklyn Borough Hall York 10022 ....