Metropolitan Tower, Postmodern skyscraper in Midtown Manhattan, United States
Metropolitan Tower is a postmodern skyscraper in Midtown Manhattan, New York, with a black glass facade and a two-part shape: a wide rectangular base below and a narrower triangular top above. It rises to about 718 feet (218 m) and combines office floors in the lower section with residential units in the upper portion.
The tower was completed in 1987, after developers spent years acquiring smaller buildings and air rights to satisfy New York City zoning rules. It was part of a wave of large projects that reshaped the Midtown skyline during that decade.
The Metropolitan Tower stands right next to Carnegie Hall, placing it at the edge of one of New York's most recognized concert venues. Visitors walking by can take in the contrast between the old masonry of the hall and the dark glass tower rising above it.
The building sits on 57th Street in Midtown Manhattan and is easy to spot from several angles as you walk through the neighborhood. Access for visitors is limited to the street-level areas, since most of the floors are private offices or residences.
The glass panels on the facade are divided into two zones with different reflective properties, so the lower and upper sections of the building can look quite different depending on the light. This effect is most noticeable in the early morning or late afternoon, when the sun hits the tower from a low angle.
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