520 Fifth Avenue wins ENR East Award of Merit

520 Fifth Avenue, the newest addition to the iconic Manhattan skyline, has been selected for an ENR East Best Projects Award of Merit in the Office/ Residential/ Mixed-Use category.  

Initially envisioned as GFRC mega panels, we leveraged unitized curtain wall concepts to adapt traditional terra cotta for the podium and the tower arches into a modern, efficient, lightweight curtain wall system that drastically reduced exterior wall weights, limited the need for structural steel reinforcing, and accelerated installation schedules to benefit the overall construction schedule.

DeSimone’s façade and building envelope consultants collaborated with architect Kohn Pedersen Fox and developer Rabina to design, engineer, procure, and test the custom unitized curtain wall system—which features the tower’s signature deeply recessed stepped arches.

The supertall skyscraper features luxury condominiums, boutique office floors, a private club, and retail amenities within a vertically stacked program that reflects the historic zoning “steps” of Midtown Manhattan.

Congratulations to DeSimone Principal Rok Lee, AIA, Senior Associate Whitney Boykin, AIA, and the entire project team on this recognition.