The Most Iconic Buildings in Midtown and Their Massive Transformations

Midtown Manhattan has always been the heartbeat of New York City’s office market. For decades, its trophy towers have served as the corporate homes of hedge funds, private equity firms, investment banks, and family offices at the very top of global finance. These are not just office buildings—they are symbols of power and influence, widely recognized as some of the most exclusive and prominent business addresses in New York City.

From the GM Building to Seagram, their tenant rosters read like a “who’s who” of global business leaders, billionaire investors, and multinational corporations. With prestige comes pressure, and even the most legendary towers must continuously reinvent themselves to meet the demands of today’s tenants. In recent years, several icons have undergone massive transformations, evolving into hospitality-driven, amenity-rich destinations while preserving their historic cachet.

Here are six of Midtown’s most iconic towers and how they’ve been reimagined for the future.

767 Fifth Avenue – The GM Building

Few buildings define prestige like the GM Building, a 50-story tower with Fifth Avenue frontage and Apple’s iconic glass cube at its base. Beyond the marble façade and world-class address, ownership has redefined what it means to work here with Savoy Club, a 35,000-square-foot hospitality-driven amenity center.

• Savoy Club: Offers a state-of-the-art fitness and wellness center (operated by Exos), cycling and group studios, and spa-like locker rooms. The food and beverage program features La Colombe coffee, artisanal pastries, and curated grab-and-go options, served in beautifully designed parlor and library lounges. A flexible conference center accommodates up to 265 people, with sweeping views of Fifth Avenue and Central Park.

• Colette: A private club on the 37th floor with panoramic Central Park views. Combining private offices, collaborative spaces, a sushi bar, and fine dining from the team behind Casa Cruz, Colette is where entrepreneurs, investors, and global leaders meet, create, and celebrate.

Together, Savoy Club and Colette have elevated the GM Building into a lifestyle ecosystem at the very top of New York’s office market.

9 West 57th Street – The Solow Building

The Solow Building is one of Midtown’s most distinctive icons, instantly recognizable for its sloping black-glass façade. Long home to elite hedge funds, private equity firms, and investment banks, 9 West 57th has doubled down on its reputation for exclusivity with best-in-class tenant amenities.

• Fitness & Wellness: An 11,000-square-foot fitness center now includes a plunge pool, high-end cardio equipment, HD entertainment systems, showers, smartphone access, Wi-Fi 6, and even a skylight that floods the space with natural light.

• Park Lounge: The entire 27th floor has been transformed into a 20,000-square-foot amenity floor featuring dining and bar areas, conferencing facilities, and private meeting rooms. This is one of the most luxurious communal tenant spaces in New York City.

With unrivaled Central Park views and these new amenities, 9 West 57th continues to set the standard for prestige and exclusivity.

667 Madison Avenue

A boutique gem in the Plaza District, 667 Madison Avenue is renowned for its granite façade, museum-quality art, and intimate tenant experience. Built in 1985 and fully renovated in 2018, the 25-story tower has become a magnet for family offices, hedge funds, and private equity firms seeking elegance and exclusivity.

Recent enhancements include:

• Health & Wellness: A fitness center with a Peloton spin studio, plus a state-of-the-art golf simulator available by appointment.

• Flex Space: Two floors of luxury flexible offices powered by Bevmax Office Centers. The facility accommodates everything from private executive offices to project rooms for up to 50 people, supported by conferencing, catering, and an elegant café.

• Modern Systems & Private Elevators: Recently upgraded HVAC, purification systems, fiber networks, and elevators. Tenants can even arrange pre-programmed express elevator rides or private car service directly from the lobby.

With these upgrades, 667 Madison continues to offer the rare blend of boutique scale and trophy-level service.

390 Park Avenue – Lever House

The 21-story Lever House is a mid-century modern masterpiece and one of New York City’s first glass curtain-wall skyscrapers. Fresh off a complete redevelopment, the building has been restored and reimagined as Level House—blending history with a hospitality-driven future.

• Plaza & Lobby: Restored with terrazzo floors, stainless-steel columns, marble walls, and upgraded lighting for both design and efficiency.

• Lever Club: A 30,000-square-foot indoor-outdoor tenant-only amenity on the second floor, complemented by a 15,000-square-foot landscaped terrace with birch trees and planters. Inside, tenants enjoy private dining rooms, conference facilities, wellness spaces, concierge-level bike storage, and spa-quality showers. Culinary partner Sant Ambroeus delivers day-to-night food and beverage service in a sophisticated setting.

• Sustainability: Lever House now sources electricity from renewable hydropower and is targeting LEED Gold, WELL Platinum, and Energy Star certifications.

Lever House has not only preserved its architectural legacy but has also positioned itself as one of Midtown’s most sustainable and forward-thinking addresses.

375 Park Avenue – The Seagram Building

Few addresses in New York City carry the same prestige as 375 Park Avenue. Designed by Ludwig Mies van der Rohe, The Seagram Building is synonymous with success, cachet, and timeless modernist design. The tower is so exclusive it has its own zip code—and is rumored to house more billionaires than any other building in Manhattan.

Beyond its iconic bronze façade and architectural pedigree, ownership (RFR Realty, led by investor and art collector Aby Rosen) has curated an experience that blends art, culture, and hospitality. Tenants and visitors are surrounded by world-class works of Picasso, Koons, Basquiat, Hirst, and Warhol, while dining destinations such as The Grill, The Pool, and the Lobster Club continue its legacy as one of Midtown’s true power centers.

To meet the evolving expectations of today’s elite occupiers, RFR has introduced new executive-level amenities:

• Executive Amenity Floor & Terrace: Reserved exclusively for senior executives, this space includes a library, dining areas, lounges, private restrooms, and a furnished outdoor terrace. Stocked pantries, private dining, and the ability to order directly from The Grill or Four Seasons add to the exclusivity.

• The Playground: A next-generation amenity center featuring a basketball court, squash court, yoga studio, fitness center, rock-climbing wall, lounge, and amphitheater-style seating for events. There’s even on-site parking—an amenity nearly unheard of in Midtown Manhattan.

With these additions, The Seagram Building has maintained its position not just as an architectural masterpiece, but as a lifestyle destination for finance, private equity, and family office tenants who expect nothing but the best.

450 Park Avenue

At the corner of Park Avenue and 57th Street, 450 Park Avenue has established itself as a boutique Class A+ tower with prestige and sophistication. Recent upgrades include a brand new lobby and the introduction of the 450 Club—a tenant-only spa and fitness center. These enhancements provide an elevated wellness and hospitality experience, further cementing 450 Park’s reputation as a premier choice for discerning financial services tenants in the Plaza District.

The Common Thread: Reinvention

Each of these buildings demonstrates a broader trend in Midtown Manhattan: even icons must reinvent themselves. From hospitality-driven amenity centers like Savoy Club, Park Lounge, Lever Club, The Playground, and 450 Club, to complete redevelopments like Lever House, the new era of office space is about more than square footage—it’s about experience.

For tenants, this wave of transformation means more premium, brand-defining options than ever before. For landlords, it underscores one simple truth: in Midtown Manhattan, standing still is not an option.

If your firm is exploring office space in Midtown—whether it’s a boutique gem like 667 Madison or a landmark trophy like Seagram—reach out. Having completed over 400 successful office leasing transactions, I specialize in navigating this market and uncovering opportunities that align with your business goals.

Also, feel free to try our free office space search here.