Lever House

Lever House is a modern structure in Upper Midtown, Manhattan. It is one of the most famous glass-box skyscrapers in the city, breaking new architectural gound on Park Avenue with its glass walls that reflects the neighborhood skyscrapers.

Located at 390 Park Avenue, Lever House was designed by Gordon Bunshaft of the architectural firm of Skidmore, Owings and Merrill. The 24-storey skyscraper stands at 92 meters and was completed in 1952.

Lever House, New York City
Source: https://commons.wikimedia.org/wiki/File:LeverHouseNewYork.jpg
Author: David Shankbone


Lever House features a 24-storey blue-green heat resistant glass and stainless steel curtain-wall. The curtain-wall reduces the cost of operating and maintenance. As the curtain wall is completely sealed with no operating windows, it reduces dust coming in from the city into the building.

Lever House was designated an official landmark by the New York City Landmarks Preservation Commission in 1982. However, by then the blue-green glass façade has been dimmed by years of harsh weather conditions. Water seepage also caused the carbon steel to rust and expand. Conditions further deteriorated when Unilever - the parent company of Lever Brothers - moved much of its offices to Greenwich, Connecticut.

In 1998, Lever House was acquited by real estate magnates Aby Rosen and Michael Fuchs. The new owners kicked off a restoration program, replacing the deteriorated steel subframe with concealed aluminium glazing channels. All the glass panels were replaced with new ones that match the original in color, yet conform to today's energy codes.

How to reach Lever House

Take the E or V train to the Lexington Avenue/53rd Street subway station. Walk west along East 53rd Street until intersection with Park Avenue. Turn right, north north along Park Avenue until you see Lever House on your left, between 53rd and 54th Streets.

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