51 Astor Place
| Company type | Commercial office building |
|---|---|
| Industry | Real estate, commercial office |
| Founded | 2013 |
| Founder | Edward J. Minskoff Equities |
| Headquarters | Manhattan, New York City , United States |
Area served | East Village, Manhattan |
Key people | Edward J. Minskoff (developer) |
| Products | Office space, retail units |
51 Astor Place is a commercial office tower situated on Astor Place within Manhattan's East Village. The project was developed by Edward J. Minskoff Equities and functions as the main office for the IBM Watson Group division. The building's design, created by Fumihiko Maki in collaboration with AAI Architects, P.C., features a black glass exterior that sparked debate over its architectural approach, earning it the local moniker "The Death Star."
History
The development of 51 Astor followed authorization granted to Cooper Union to utilize its non-profit property for construction. Built speculatively without a confirmed lead tenant, the developer Edward J. Minskoff aimed to attract firms from the finance and technology sectors for leasing opportunities. The project reached completion in 2013 with an investment totaling $300 million.
Usage
51 Astor operates as a mixed-use facility, incorporating three retail units at street level. Its primary occupant is IBM, accompanied by other significant tenants including St. John's University, Mail Online, Intuit, and Claren Road Asset Management, which is affiliated with The Carlyle Group.
Design
Renowned architect Fumihiko Maki, also responsible for 4 World Trade Center, designed the structure. The developer described the building as combining "black glass with black granite and silver fins." Matt Chaban of the Observer referred to it as "one of the more intriguing constructions erected in the area since...41 Cooper Square," a nearby educational facility.
The lobby showcases a prominent red sculpture of a rabbit by artist Jeff Koons.
Controversy
The Greenwich Village Society for Historic Preservation expressed opposition to the project, highlighting its stark contrast to the architectural character of the surrounding neighborhood. Both the building’s design and its high rental rates have faced criticism for accelerating Gentrification and transforming the local community’s identity.
This debate mirrors similar issues encountered with the adjacent Astor Place Tower.