At 300 West 57th Street, near Columbus Circle, Hearst Tower pairs a six-storey Art Deco base with a glass tower designed by Norman Foster. The contrast between the historic stonework and the newer structure is the main reason to stop and look; the tower appears to rise above the older building. Sustainability is another part of its design, with recycled steel, rainwater collection and energy-saving systems. Hearst Tower is primarily an office building, so plan to admire it from the street rather than expect a public tour.
A tower above an Art Deco base
Hearst Tower stands at 300 West 57th Street, close to Columbus Circle. Its design brings an older building and a newer tower into one composition: a six-storey Art Deco base supports a glass structure designed by Norman Foster. The contrast is clearest from outside, where the modern tower appears to rise above the historic frontage.
The project began as an idea for a media headquarters in the 1920s, associated with publisher William Randolph Hearst. The original plan was not completed at the time. The later tower carried the older building forward as its base, linking that early ambition with a contemporary office building.
Sustainability in the design
Hearst Tower incorporates recycled steel, a rainwater collection system, energy-saving lighting and efficient heating and cooling systems. One account of the building’s environmental performance reports that it received LEED Gold as New York City’s first occupied green commercial building, then later achieved LEED Platinum. These features make sustainability a notable part of the architecture, alongside the glass tower and its historic base.
Viewing the building
The most reliable way to appreciate the design is to walk around the exterior near Columbus Circle and look at how the tower meets the older structure. Hearst Tower is primarily a private office building, so do not plan your visit around access to the interior or an observation deck. Hearst Communications publications associated with the building include Cosmopolitan, Esquire, Marie Claire, Harper’s Bazaar, Good Housekeeping and Seventeen.
Preguntas frecuentes
Where is Hearst Tower?
It is at 300 West 57th Street in New York City, near Columbus Circle.
Can the public tour Hearst Tower?
Hearst Tower is primarily a private office building. Public tours are not established, so plan to view it from outside.
What is distinctive about Hearst Tower’s architecture?
A glass tower designed by Norman Foster rises above a six-storey Art Deco base.
