575 Madison Avenue

Project Details

Project Description

Stunning design effects using reflective glass have elevated the lobby of 575 Madison Avenue with an inviting, transparent entryway and interior space that evokes a lightness of being and optimism.

Home to Steinberg & Pokoik Management Corp., the project kicked off long before the pandemic set in, but its unveiling is well-timed as the world works its way back to normal.

Amenta Emma Architects’ concept for the 2,000-square-foot space employs the extensive use of back-painted glass, both black and white, to make the space feel larger, its volume lifted. The effect is immediate from the street, where the heavy stainless transom above the revolving doors has been replaced by a 9-foot-tall by 17-foot-6-inch long glass surround. At night, the entry appears to float. Walnut strips and linear LED lights pull the eye from the street to the back of the space, uniting two elevator lobbies. Glass walls, weighing more than 800 pounds per panel, contribute to the feeling of greater volume. Toe-kick lights around the low perimeter of the floor enhance the effect of floating glass.

The security desk was pulled more prominently into the space, crowned with a custom light fixture designed by artist John Procario with Todd Merrill Studio. Walls showcase a curated, changing art gallery, featuring local and emerging artists, to create interest for tenants by provoking thought and conversation.

While the renovation included new HVAC and electric systems, it is largely a story of the unique application of materials to herald our coming out of Covid.