PROJECT / CULTURAL & INSTITUTIONAL

The Cubes at 120 West 42nd Street

The Cubes was conceived as a jewel box icon to flank the western edge of a once dilapidated plaza. Comprised of several distinct rectilinear volumes shifted in relation to one another, it provides a contrast to the monolithic character of adjacent Three Bryant Park. With approximately 23,000 square feet of above-grade retail and an additional 55,000 square feet of available below-grade space, this dynamic addition to the site introduces revenue-generating retail that supports the adjacent public plaza. By activating this urban gem with spaces for retail, restaurants and recreation, it effectively takes the pressure off neighboring Bryant Park and provides additional respite for this busy district in Midtown.

City New York, NY

Year 2013

Size  78,000 sq ft

Client Equity Office Properties

Awards

NATIONAL COUNCIL OF STRUCTURAL ENGINEERS ASSOCIATIONS | Excellence in Structural Engineering Award, 2015
GNYCUC | Outstanding Commercial/Office Building, 2014
AIA NEW YORK | Award of Excellence, Commercial Large Projects, 2012
AMERICAN SOCIETY OF LANDSCAPE ARCHITECTS | Landscape Architectural Design, Merit Award, 2012

New York City’s “Guardians”

The Guardians: Hero and Superhero is on permanent display as public art for the plaza between Three Bryant Park and The Cubes. The two-piece artwork was designed by Italian architect and designer, Antonio Pio Saracino, as a symbol of Italy’s cultural heritage in the United States. One made of marble and the other made of stainless-steel, the sculptures stand 13-feet-high, framing the north and south entrance of the public plaza. The MdeAS-designed plaza becomes an extension of Bryant Park by incorporating a variety of landscaping and seating to create a unique place for socialization.