Newly released renderings reveal the architectural design for 515 Seventh Avenue, a proposed 38-story office skyscraper planned for Manhattan's Garment District in Midtown. The project, designed by renowned architecture firm Kohn Pedersen Fox and developed by Blenheim Realty, is set to encompass nearly 355,000 square feet of space and will rise from a 19,750-square-foot lot located at the corner of Seventh Avenue and West 38th Street. The development recently received approval from the City Council, marking a significant milestone in the project's progression.
The main western elevation rendering showcases the building's distinctive architectural approach, which begins with a tall podium that matches the height of the adjacent building to the west. Following a strategic setback crowned with a landscaped terrace, the tower continues upward without interruption to a flat rooftop. The facade features a sophisticated glass curtain wall system framed by an intricate grid of protruding gold-hued brick arranged in a tiled pattern that becomes tighter as the building ascends, effectively creating an enhanced sense of verticality and visual drama.
The northern elevation view along West 38th Street provides a comprehensive look at the building's stepped setbacks on the podium levels, along with an additional setback positioned higher up on the eastern face. This particular rendering offers detailed insight into the complex geometry of the elaborate brick facade grid, which incorporates interstitial spandrels throughout its design. The staggered arrangement of the fenestration serves as a thoughtful architectural tribute to the Garment District's textile heritage, subtly referencing the interwoven structure of fabrics that defines the neighborhood's industrial character.
While an exact height specification has not been officially disclosed, aerial perspective renderings suggest the tower will reach approximately 600 feet tall, positioning it prominently within the Midtown Manhattan skyline. Additional renderings provide street-level perspectives of the western elevation facing Seventh Avenue, offering viewers a pedestrian's view of how the building will interact with the urban streetscape. Interior renderings reveal the main lobby design, where the signature brickwork seamlessly flows into the ground-floor space, creating visual continuity between the exterior and interior architectural elements.
The development site currently houses a four-story commercial building with rooftop parking spaces, which will be demolished to make way for the new skyscraper. The location offers exceptional connectivity to New York City's transportation network, situated just a short walk from the Times Square-42nd Street station to the north. This major transit hub provides access to multiple subway lines including the 1, 2, 3, 7, N, Q, R, W, and the Shuttle to Grand Central Terminal, with additional underground connections to the 42nd Street-Port Authority Bus Terminal station to the west and the 42nd Street-Bryant Park station to the east.
Despite the project's recent City Council approval and the release of detailed architectural renderings, developers have not yet announced a specific construction timeline for 515 Seventh Avenue. The project represents a significant addition to the ongoing transformation of Manhattan's Garment District, contributing to the area's evolution while paying homage to its textile manufacturing heritage through thoughtful architectural design elements.
