390 Park Avenue
390 Park Avenue, widely known as Lever House, is one of the most architecturally significant office buildings in New York City and a defining asset along Park Avenue. Positioned between East 53rd and East 54th Streets, this landmark tower introduced the modern glass curtain wall skyscraper to Midtown Manhattan and continues to influence how office buildings are designed and experienced today.
Completed in the early 1950s, Lever House broke away from traditional masonry construction and instead embraced a sleek steel-and-glass design elevated above a landscaped plaza. This configuration not only created a visual distinction from surrounding buildings but also introduced open public space at ground level—an approach that would later become a model for future Midtown developments. The building’s clean lines, green-tinted glass façade, and proportional elegance still stand out in a corridor now filled with high-density office towers.
From a tenant perspective, Lever House offers a boutique office experience within a globally recognized address. Unlike larger Park Avenue towers built for maximum density, 390 Park Avenue delivers smaller, more curated floor plates that appeal to firms prioritizing design, identity, and client-facing environments. The elevated tower allows for consistent natural light across floors, while the surrounding plaza creates separation from street congestion—an increasingly rare condition in Midtown.
The building has undergone significant modernization, including a comprehensive redevelopment that upgraded infrastructure, mechanical systems, and interior finishes while preserving its landmark status. The lobby and common areas reflect a balance between historic preservation and contemporary office expectations, resulting in a workspace that feels both iconic and functional.
Location remains one of Lever House’s strongest advantages. Situated on Park Avenue in the Plaza District, tenants are surrounded by some of the most prestigious corporate addresses in Manhattan, including trophy towers, luxury hotels, and high-end retail. Proximity to Grand Central Terminal ensures strong regional connectivity, while nearby subway lines provide efficient access across the city.
For tenants evaluating office space in Midtown Manhattan, 390 Park Avenue offers a unique proposition: a globally recognized architectural landmark combined with a refined, boutique office environment. It is best suited for companies that value design, branding, and prestige over sheer scale, making it one of the most distinctive office opportunities in the Park Avenue corridor.
Technical Specifications
Height:
Approximately 300 feet
Floors:
21 stories total
• ~2-story podium (base)
• ~19-story tower slab above
Total Building Size:
Approximately 260,000 – 270,000 square feet
Building Configuration
Lever House is not a traditional full-block tower. It is designed as:
• A horizontal podium base occupying the full site footprint
• A slender vertical tower set above the base
• Elevated on pilotis (columns) creating an open plaza at ground level
This configuration is critical—it reduces lot coverage at height and creates the iconic Park Avenue plaza condition.
Floor Plate Breakdown
Podium / Base Levels:
• Large floor plates spanning much of the site
• Used for lobby, retail, and amenity-driven uses
• Lower ceilings relative to tower but broader layout
Tower Floors:
• ~10,000 – 12,000 Square Feet per floor
• Long, narrow rectangular plates
• High perimeter window ratio (glass curtain wall on all sides)
• Ideal for boutique, design-forward office layouts
Structural System
• Steel frame construction
• Raised tower supported on columns (pilotis)
• Open ground plane allows pedestrian circulation beneath tower
Facade System
• One of the first glass curtain wall systems in NYC
• Green-tinted glass with stainless steel mullions
• Uniform grid maximizing daylight penetration
Core & Layout Efficiency
• Centralized core (elevators, restrooms, mechanicals)
• High percentage of perimeter usable space
• Smaller floor plates → lower density vs modern towers
Ceiling Heights
• Slab-to-slab: ~11–12 feet
• Finished ceilings: typically 8’6” – 9’
• Limited exposed ceiling flexibility due to landmark constraints
Elevators & Vertical Transport
• Zoned passenger elevator system
• Smaller capacity relative to modern high-density towers
• Designed for boutique tenant populations rather than large-scale occupancy
Mechanical & Systems
• Fully modernized HVAC and building systems (post-renovation)
• Designed for lower-density, high-quality occupancy
• Landmark preservation influences system integration
Site & Plaza
• Open plaza at ground level (rare for Midtown East)
• Landscaped public space integrated into Park Avenue streetscape
• Separates tenant experience from street congestion
Key Takeaway for Tenants
390 Park Avenue is defined by:
• ~300 ft height | 21 floors | ~260K SF
• Small, boutique floor plates (~10–12K SF)
• Landmark architecture with plaza-driven design
It is not a scale building—it is a design-driven, prestige asset, best suited for tenants prioritizing identity, light, and architectural significance over density and expansion capacity.