NEW YORK | MetLife Building | 808 FT / 247 M | 59 FLOORS | 1963

NYguy · #1 Posted **Sep 5, 2010, 7:51 AM**

The King of Park Avenue...

Mark 2400

pico44 · #2 Posted **Sep 5, 2010, 11:39 AM**

If I had to rank the greatest works of brutalism ever created:

8. Dallas City Hall
7. National Center for Atmospheric Research in Boulder Colorado
6. Boston City Hall
5. Whitney Museum of American Art
4. Yale Library of Art
3. PanAm Building
2. Salk Institute
1. Empire State Plaza

http://www.nyc-architecture.com/MID/Panam_ex.jpg

Lyly · #3 Posted **Sep 8, 2010, 1:00 AM**

Quote:

Originally Posted by pico44

If I had to rank the greatest works of brutalism ever created:

8. Dallas City Hall
7. National Center for Atmospheric Research in Boulder Colorado
6. Boston City Hall
5. Whitney Museum of American Art
4. Yale Library of Art
3. PanAm Building
2. Salk Institute
1. Empire State Plaza

I don't think the MetLife/PanAm Bldg is brutalist. I'd really throw it more into the International style. Nice list, that said.

I really like the MetLife Building. As others have said over and again, this is really an iconic building. You see it and can say, "Oh, I know right where I am, and I know just what that is".

SkyscrapersOfNewYork · #4 Posted **Sep 8, 2010, 1:18 AM**

Quote:

Originally Posted by Lyly

I don't think the MetLife/PanAm Bldg is brutalist. I'd really throw it more into the International style. Nice list, that said.

I really like the MetLife Building. As others have said over and again, this is really an iconic building. You see it and can say, "Oh, I know right where I am, and I know just what that is".

ya Walter Gropius did was commissioned to design it in the international style.

plinko · #5 Posted **Sep 8, 2010, 4:47 AM**

Quote:

Originally Posted by SkyscrapersOfNewYork

ya Walter Gropius were commissioned to design it in the international style.

I once read an article or book excerpt that said the tower was originally supposed to be rotated 90 degrees from where it is now (the thin facade on Park), and Gropius came in, rotated the model and deemed it much better.

SkyscrapersOfNewYork · #6 Posted **Sep 8, 2010, 4:50 AM**

Quote:

Originally Posted by plinko

Emory Roth & Sons didn't design the building, Walter Gropius did. ER&S were merely architect of record (which is a totally different thing).

I once read an article or book excerpt that said the tower was originally supposed to be rotated 90 degrees from where it is now (the thin facade on Park), and Gropius came in, rotated the model and deemed it much better.

blame public record for any misinformation

HomrQT · #7 Posted **Sep 8, 2010, 3:29 PM**

I like it's size, but something a little classier could have been placed there. Every time I look down Park Ave and see this, I feel like I'm looking at a missed opportunity for a real decorative piece that could have been displayed there. It's much to big to get torn down any time soon, so we'll live with it.