It is a prominent skyscraper located at 200 Park Avenue in Midtown Manhattan. Completed in 1963, it is known for its distinctive Brutalist architecture and its unique position straddling the air rights above Grand Central Terminal.
Original Name: The building was originally called the Pan Am Building, named after Pan American World Airways, which was its primary tenant and the source of its iconic logo that once adorned its roof.
Architecture: Designed by architects Walter Gropius and Pietro Belluschi with a team from Emery Roth & Sons, the building is a notable example of the International Style and a symbol of mid-20th-century corporate architecture. Its imposing, octagonal shape and concrete façade make it instantly recognizable.
Controversy: The building’s construction was highly controversial at the time. Its massive scale and placement directly behind Grand Central Terminal were widely criticized for blocking the view of the terminal’s famous facade and disrupting the cityscape.
Public Access and Features
Location: The building’s most notable feature is its integration with Grand Central Terminal. Its base connects directly to the terminal’s train platforms, and its lobby serves as a major pedestrian pathway.
Access: While there is no public observation deck, visitors and commuters can walk through its lobby to access various entrances and pathways to Grand Central.
