Seagram Building
Building Iconic mid-century skyscraper exemplifying International Style architecture
A glass-and-bronze modernist skyscraper on Park Avenue by Mies van der Rohe, the Seagram Building set standards for plaza-front towers; architecture students and curious visitors study its façade and public plaza.
The Seagram Building is a landmark international-style office tower on Park Avenue in Midtown Manhattan, New York City, completed in 1958. Designed by Ludwig Mies van der Rohe with Philip Johnson, the tower is noted for its bronze-clad curtain wall and its proportionally restrained 38-storey volume.
The building’s public plaza, reflecting pools and set-back from the street are key elements of its urban design and are frequently cited as a model for modernist corporate architecture. Observers value the building’s minimalist exterior, uniform glazing and the relationship between tower and open space at street level.
Commissioned by the Seagram Company as corporate headquarters, the building established a template for high-rise modernist design in the second half of the 20th century. Its materials, detailing and plaza arrangement influenced many subsequent office buildings.
Located at 375 Park Avenue between East 52nd and East 53rd Streets in Midtown Manhattan, the Seagram Building occupies a prominent site within New York’s commercial core and is easily visible from Park Avenue and surrounding streets.
- Architectural significance: Completed in 1958 and widely cited as a defining example of the International Style in postwar skyscraper design.
What to See #
- Seagram Building plaza: Public forecourt and plaza with reflecting pools and open space set back from Park Avenue, designed as an integral part of the building's composition.
How to Get to Seagram Building #
The Seagram Building is at 375 Park Avenue between East 52nd and 53rd Streets in Midtown Manhattan. Take the subway E or M to 5 Av/53 St (one block away) or walk roughly 10-12 minutes (about 0.6 miles) north from Grand Central Terminal; it’s also a short taxi or car ride on Park Avenue from anywhere in Midtown.
Tips for Visiting Seagram Building #
- Visit the Seagram Building plaza early on a weekday morning to see the minimalist plaza and façade with far fewer office crowds; the plaza set-back is the key compositional feature to study.
- View the building from Park Avenue and 52nd Street to appreciate Mies van der Rohe's use of open plaza and curtain-wall proportionality; combine the stop with a short walk to nearby Lever House for a compact modernist architecture comparison.
- The building lobby and plaza are semi-public but primarily used by tenants-be respectful of security and business activity if you enter the lobby, and avoid peak commuter hours if you want quieter photography.
Best Time to Visit Seagram Building #
For the best experience see the Seagram Building on a weekday mid-morning in shoulder months (spring or autumn) to avoid the heaviest crowds.
Weather & Climate near Seagram Building #
Seagram Building's climate is classified as Humid Subtropical - Humid Subtropical climate with warm summers (peaking in July) and cold winters (coldest in January). Temperatures range from -4°C to 29°C. Abundant rainfall (1215 mm/year), wettest in July, distributed fairly evenly throughout the year.
January
January is the coolest month with highs of 4°C and lows of -4°C. Regular rainfall (96 mm) and partly cloudy skies.
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February
February is cold with highs of 5°C and lows of -3°C. Moderate rainfall (78 mm) and partly cloudy skies.
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March
March is cold with highs of 10°C and lows of 1°C. Significant rainfall (107 mm) and partly cloudy skies.
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April
April is cool with highs of 15°C and lows of 6°C. Significant rainfall (105 mm) and partly cloudy skies.
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May
May is cool with highs of 22°C and lows of 11°C. Significant rainfall (112 mm) and partly cloudy skies.
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June
June is mild with highs of 26°C and lows of 16°C. Regular rainfall (93 mm) and partly cloudy skies.
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July
July is the warmest month with highs of 29°C and lows of 19°C. The wettest month with heavy rain (114 mm).
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August
August is mild with highs of 28°C and lows of 19°C. Significant rainfall (109 mm).
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September
September is mild with highs of 24°C and lows of 15°C. Significant rainfall (104 mm).
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October
October is cool with highs of 18°C and lows of 9°C. Regular rainfall (94 mm) and partly cloudy skies.
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November
November is cold with highs of 12°C and lows of 4°C. Significant rainfall (107 mm) and partly cloudy skies.
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December
December is cold with highs of 7°C and lows of -1°C. Regular rainfall (96 mm) and partly cloudy skies.
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