New York City's appetite for supertalls is quickly transforming the city's skyline, with an ever-growing number of record-breaking projects planned or under construction across America's biggest metropolis. Set to rise at the Corner of Vanderbilt Avenue and East 42nd Street, One Vanderbilt Place may become the newest of these glass and steel giants. At 461 metres above street level, it will easily surpass the Chrysler Building and its 319 metres as the tallest edifice in the Midtown East neighbourhood.

One Vanderbilt will be one of New York City's tallest building, image courtesy of Kohn Pedersen Fox Associates

Developed by SL Green and designed by Kohn Pedersen Fox Associates, the 67-storey tower will replace an entire block of older buildings that are currently being demolished. One Vanderbilt will add more than 157,000 square metres of total surface area, with an important retail component occupying the podium of the tower, 18,600 square metres of which will be taken up by anchor tenant TD Bank.

The upper portion will feature a series of four setbacks, image courtesy of Kohn Pedersen Fox Associates

The podium also aims to encourage pedestrian interconnectivity, with direct access to the nearby Grand Central - 42nd St MTA subway station as well as a waiting area for passengers. This is part of the MTA's East Side Access Project which aims to add capacity to the station for an extra 65,000 people per day. The section of Vanderbilt Avenue situated between 42nd and 43rd Streets will be closed to motor vehicles, greatly improving pedestrian flow in the vicinity of Grand Central Station.

Part of Vanderbilt Avenue will be pedestrianized, image courtesy of Kohn Pedersen Fox Associates

Up above, the tower will boast seamless glass facades, which slope slightly inwards and gradually reduce the size of office space floorplates. The upper portion will feature a series of four setbacks topped-off with a spire, a formal not to 1920s-era towers. This design will help reduce the shadow impact at street level. Overall, it will become one of New York's tallest structure, with a roof level higher than that of One World Trade Center.

One Vanderbilt as seen street level, image courtesy of Kohn Pedersen Fox Associates

Completion is currently expected for 2020. In the meantime, additional information and renderings can be found in our Database file, linked below. Want to get involved in the discussion? Check out the associated Forum thread, or leave a comment at the bottom of this page.