35 Hudson Yards high-rise building,
designed by Skidmore, Owings & Merrill (SOM)
Hudson Yards is a private development project of unprecedented scale in U.S. history, and the largest constructionproject in New York City since Rockefeller Center. Covering more than 110,000 square feet on Manhattan's west side, the complex comprises six quarters with residential, office, retail and cultural buildings, as well as a hotel and public spaces with green spaces and dining establishments. At the center of this new neighborhood stands 35 Hudson Yards, one of the tallest buildings in the complex, designed by the renowned Skidmore, Owings and Merrill studio.
The 35 Hudson Yards skyscraper in New York City is one of the tallest buildings in the complex
photo by Dave Burk © SOM
Functionality at 304 meters high
35 Hudson Yards is a skyscraper measuring 304 meters, offering nearly 93,000 square meters of usable space spread over 72 floors. It features 143 private apartments, office spaces, a hotel, a health club with a spa, and retail and commercial spaces on the first floor. The building's massing is distinguished by a graded layout that allows for terraces at different levels. These outdoor spaces are equipped with pools, greenery and relaxation areas, integrating nature with the urban structure.
35 Hudson Yards is a skyscraper measuring 304 meters, offering nearly 93,000 square meters of usable space
photo by Dave Burk © SOM
The skyscraper's facades combine glass with vertical pleats of limestone. This material, used in American skyscrapers in the early 20th century, gives the building stylistic consistency with the city's historic architecture. The limestone, with its visible fossils and varying colors, responds to light and perspective, creating a visual effect that depends on the position of the observer.
The 35 Hudson Yards skyscraper in New York City - the skyscraper's facades combine glass with vertical pleats of limestone.
photo by Dave Burk © SOM
The structure above the railroad tracks
The construction of 35 Hudson Yards required the SOM team to solve unusual engineering challenges. The building was erected over active railroad tracks, which necessitated the design of a platform on which the entire structure rests. The skyscraper's core, made of high-strength reinforced concrete, was reinforced with buttress walls extending to the building's outline. In the east-west axis, the core was adapted to the limited space between the tracks, while in the north-south direction it extends for about 15 meters, covering three tracks. The support columns were precisely aligned with the platform's steel supports, ensuring stability and safety.
The 35 Hudson Yards skyscraper in New York - the core of the building was reinforced with buttress walls extending to the outline of the block
photo by Dave Burk © SOM
integration with the city and nature
35 Hudson Yards fits seamlessly into the fabric of western Manhattan. To the east and south, it is adjacent to green spaces that give the massing a dynamic, spiraling character. Terraces, decreasing and multiplying with height, bring public spaces from street level to upper floors, offering gardens accessible to residents and users. This layout emphasizes the building's openness to its surroundings and facilitates access to nature in a densely developed neighborhood.
The 35 Hudson Yards skyscraper in New York City - terraces, decreasing and multiplying with height, bring public spaces from street level to upper floors
photo by Dave Burk © SOM
sustainable solutions in practice
The skyscraper's design incorporates sustainability principles in pursuit of LEED Gold certification. The glazed façade maximizes access to daylight, reducing electricity demand and improving interior quality. The interiors use low-emission finishing materials, such as paints and coatings, which contributes to occupant comfort. A rainwater harvesting system supports irrigation of greenery and cooling of the building, while reduced-flow fixtures allow efficient management of water resources. The use of high-strength concrete made it possible to reduce the thickness of structural elements, which in turn reduced the load on the platform and facilitated the implementation of a graded solid layout.
The 35 Hudson Yards skyscraper in New York City - the glass facade maximizes access to daylight.
photo by Dave Burk © SOM
a new definition of urban space
35 Hudson Yards is not only the 18th tallest building in New York City, but also an example of architecture that combines diverse functions with innovative technical solutions. Offering views of the city and the Hudson River, the skyscraper is becoming the focal point of a rapidly developing neighborhood. Its design harmonizes the modern needs of users with the demands of the environment, transforming an underutilized area of Manhattan into a residential, office and recreational space of global significance.
Compiled by Anastazja Dżupina
Illustrations provided courtesy of SOM studio.
