As the first tower of the 42nd Street redevelopment project, 4 Times Square needed to embrace the essence of Times Square while meeting the needs of corporate tenants. At the time it was completed, the 48-story tower was the first sustainable skyscraper in the United States—and one of the only such speculative projects in the world. 4 Times Square was a model for its integrated process from the start, and became a catalyst for the U.S. Green Building Council’s LEED rating program by setting a new national standard for environmentally responsible commercial projects. It is also the first project of its size to adopt standards for energy efficiency, indoor air quality, tenant comfort, sustainable materials, and responsible construction.
A varied composition of interlocking, set-back forms and façade treatments respond to the diverse scale and character of the neighboring buildings. As the building rises, a collage of volumes, surfaces and super-scaled signage draws vitality from the street and evolves into an integrated composition culminating in a highly-energized finial. All building systems and construction technology were evaluated for their impact on occupant health, environmental sensitivity, and energy reduction, making this the first project of its size and type to adopt state-of-the-art standards for energy conservation, indoor air quality, recycling systems, and the use of sustainable manufacturing processes.
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