747 Third Avenue

 commercial, office building, skyscraper, 1972_construction, diplomatic / foreign mission / representation, International style architecture

459-foot, 37-story International-style office building completed in 1972. Designed by Emery Roth & Sons, it underwent a multi-million dollar modernization in 2011. It spans the whole east block between East 46th and 47th Street with the entire plaza area extending out to the curb. The façade of the building is silver anodized aluminum with a natural finish and clear glass. Black metal vents are located at the base of each window.

The ground floor has plate-glass storefront surrounding the central entrance on the west facade, and also along the north and south sides. There is a service entrance and loading dock at the east end on 46th and 47th Streets. The south half of the building projects out farther at the west facade, and this section sets back above the 6th floor. All three main facades set back above the 12th floor. At each of these setbacks, the aluminum mullions extend slightly above and terminate on a horizontal metal rail. The rear, east-facing facade is faced in concrete, with a section at the south end projecting farther out. There is a bay of staggered, paired windows just north of the projecting section. The entire east facade is painted in white, upward-pointing arrows.

There is a 3-level mechanical penthouse on the rooftop. The ground floor is occupied by FedEx Office, and Regus office rental agency.

www.747thirdave.com/