111 West 57th Street: Everything You Need to Know About the World’s Skinniest Skyscraper

Photo: Courtesy of SHoP Architects/David Sundberg

Despite being the world’s skinniest skyscraper, this New York tower is still shaking up midtown Manhattan in a big way. Located at 111 West 57th Street, the residential skyscraper cuts straight through the sky with an astounding height-to-width ratio of 24:1. With the collaborative effort of developers JDS Development Group and Property Markets Group; SHoP Architects designing the exterior; and AD100 architects Studio Sofield taking on the interiors, 111 West 57th Street is like a monument for impactful design. In addition to holding the record for skinniest skyscraper, the building is also the second tallest residential building in the Western Hemisphere, reaching a whopping 1,428 feet high, including a 300-foot decorative steel crown.

History of 111 West 57th Street

The tall, slender tower is surely the first thing passersby will see as they glimpse at the Billionaires’ Row property, but 111 West 57th Street is actually a two-part building: the original landmarked Steinway Hall and the new high-rise by SHoP Architects, which some also call Steinway Tower.

Built between 1924 and 1925 for the Steinway & Sons piano company, Steinway Hall was designed by Warren & Wetmore, a prolific architectural firm known primarily for their work on Grand Central Terminal. Steinway salesrooms, offices, and storage were based in the building for decades, along with a 240-seat recital hall that was in operation between 1925 and the beginning of World War II, before being converted into office space. The city designated the building’s façade as a landmark in 2001 and the first floor interiors were landmarked in 2013. Steinway sold the building in 2013, and moved out the following year after nearly 90 years of operating their salesroom from the address.

Residents began moving into the new iteration of the property in April 2021, though some additional units and the full suite of amenities were still under construction. JDS Development Group and Property Markets Group announced that the building was fully complete in November 2022.

“The completion of 111 West 57th Street is a testament to the design and ingenuity that can only be achieved by collaborating with today’s most extraordinary designers, artisans, construction, and sales teams,” Michael Stern, founder and CEO of JDS Development Group, said in a statement upon the building’s completion. “Every aspect of this development has been meticulously conceived to achieve a delicate balance that pays homage to the classic skyscrapers of Manhattan’s past while also setting a new standard for the future.”

Architecture of 111 West 57th Street

An appetite for boldness is obvious in New York City—it’s part of what makes the energy and ambition unparalleled in the US metropolis—and it’s a sentiment that is clearly displayed in the city’s architecture. Steinway Tower is no exception in this. From afar, the new building looks almost futuristic, but the architects and designers—both at SHoP and Studio Sofield—wanted to reference Manhattan’s prewar Golden Age wherever they could. “I have my romantic memory of old New York,” Sofield tells AD.

The stepped form of 111 West 57th Street echoes iconic 20th-century NYC structures like the Empire State Building, the Chrysler Building, and Steinway Hall itself. Even with its distinctly contemporary height and ratio, this element adds a sense of nostalgia to the building’s profile. Each section of the building’s exterior is paired with a layer of terra-cotta pilasters that don both the east and west façades of the tower, giving it a glamorous aged feel without overdoing it.

Further, JDS Development Group restored much of the Steinway Hall building originally designed in the 1920s. The façade and instantly recognizable rotunda were restored in collaboration with the Landmarks Preservation Commission of New York, and it’s connected to the new tower by way of a sweeping central lobby.

Interiors of 111 West 57th Street

Inside, Studio Sofield took inspiration from the original Steinway Hall. For the block-long entry, William Sofield enlisted New York artisans such as John Opella and Nancy Lorenz to create what he describes as “a series of emotional experiences” that are informed by the New York skyscrapers of the past.

“Reuse gives new life to historical fragments,” Sofield adds, explaining that, when possible, he would find ways to reimagine parts of Steinway Hall into the development. For example, the building’s lobby makes use of end-grain wood flooring that was “rescued from the original piano loading docks.” Other old-world details include an ornamental chandelier in the amenity space reproduced from an original design that once hung in Steinway Hall. The residences also take a cue from classic home layouts and feature elements such as formal dining rooms with coved-wall sitting areas, solid oak floors, spacious galleries, and stepped panel doors.

Additionally, the AD100 designer found moments to infuse little Easter eggs into the history-making property, should you know where to look. “There are the lilies of the valley, my mom’s favorite flower, with rock crystal bells that sway like my favorite curtains at the Seagram Building,” he says. All of the New York landmark buildings—like The Whitney or Saint Patrick’s—can be seen in bas-relief throughout the property.

Residences in 111 West 57th Street

The majority of the building’s 60 residences are located in the new SHoP-designed building, with just 14 units available in the historic Steinway Hall section. The condominiums in the landmarked building range from two to four bedrooms, some of which include private outdoor space. While design details vary among the units, marble bathrooms and abundant natural light are a commonality.

The homes in the supertall are available in full-floor and duplex configurations, measuring just shy of 4,000 square feet to over 7,000 square feet. These residences offer direct elevator entry, views of Central Park and the city skyline, and generous walk-in closets in the primary suites. As in any luxury real estate property, the penthouses are particularly well-appointed, with spacious great rooms that showcase the view and outdoor space. Studio Solfield’s eye for detail heightens the impressive residences further, with premium materials and hand-cast fixtures by P.E. Guerin appearing in every home. “My world is equal parts legacy and imagination, a place where architecture and opera collide,” Sofield says. “Yes, there are bits of the past, but they are always used in modern ways.”

Amenities in 111 West 57th Street

While the design of the building is a tribute to New York, the amenities are all about providing some relief from the mania of the city. This starts with the private porte cochere, which serves as a peaceful transition point between Midtown and the world of the building. Should residents need assistance, 24-hour doormen and a concierge are stationed in the entry.

The 82-foot-long two-lane swimming pool is surrounded by private cabanas and lounge seating. Nearby, residents can relax in the sauna or the steam room, or head over to the double-height fitness center, which features its own mezzanine terrace, for a workout. A golf simulator and a padel court are also available. Ideal for hosting, a private dining room, a chef’s catering kitchen, and a lounge boasting an expansive terrace are available to residents.

Originally Appeared on Architectural Digest