MetLife Building Facade Restoration New York, New York Designed by Emery Roth & Sons with Pietro Belluschi and Walter Gropius, the MetLife Building (originally the Pan Am Building) tow- ers over Grand Central Station. The 1963 contemporary classic was controversial when built, with its unprecedented volume of office space, the most in any single building of its time, and its command over Park Avenue. Now a National Historic Landmark, the MetLife Build- ing has since become a symbol of Manhattan’s midcentury commercial fortitude. To preserve the iconic office tower, Hoffmann Architects was retained to evaluate the facade, one of the city’s first precast concrete curtain walls. The investigation revealed defects in ex- posed surfaces, including cracks, spalls, broken concrete panels, and unsound sites of previ- ous repairs. Based on Hoffmann Architects’ recommenda- tions, MetLife requested that our project ar- chitects develop a rehabilitation program that would help to assure the continued longevity of the monumental building. Because of the ambitious scope of the project, work was phased over a four year period to prioritize rehabilitation of critical areas. Exposed angular quartz aggregate in the precast, vertically finned concrete sections creates a sharply articulated surface that is difficult to replicate. Exacting patching methodology and aggregate match- ing were required to repair damaged panels along the 59-story facade. Window and masonry rehabilitation, involving sealant joint replacement, granite panel restoration, brick repointing, flashing installation, and repairs accompanied the concrete restoration. Facade cleaning removed harmful pollutants and restored the original appearance of the building exterior. One of the most recognizable skyscrapers in the city and one of the fifty tallest buildings in the country, the MetLife Building is a prominent landmark in the New York skyline. As such, Hoffmann Architects’ restoration was important not only for the building owner and tenants, but for the entire population for whom the MetLife Building has evolved cultural, economic, and architectural signifi- cance. Hoffmann Architects Specialists in the Rehabilitation of Building Exteriors.