452 Fifth Avenue, Office skyscraper on Fifth Avenue, Manhattan, US
The building at Fifth Avenue merges a 30-story glass tower with the preserved 1902 Knox Building at its base, creating an L-shaped footprint. The modern glass facade curves around the original lower floors, which face Bryant Park to the east.
The original Knox Building opened in 1902 as headquarters and retail store for a famous hat manufacturer, showcasing Beaux-Arts architectural style. In 1984, the site was redeveloped with a modern glass addition that carefully preserved the historic lower floors.
The building's name traces back to the Knox Hat Company, a prestigious merchant whose storefront once dominated this corner in the early 1900s. Today visitors can observe how the preserved base level reflects this commercial heritage alongside the contemporary tower above.
The building sits at the corner of Fifth Avenue and 40th Street with clear street-level visibility and access through the modern lobby. Nearby Bryant Park serves as an easy navigation reference and the location connects well to public transportation options.
The glass facade curves around the Knox Building in a sweeping arc rather than rising straight up, creating an unusual architectural relationship between old and new. This curved approach was uncommon in 1980s development and demonstrates an early attempt to work respectfully around an existing historic structure.
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