Swanke Hayden Connell Architects
| Company type | Private |
|---|---|
| Industry | Architecture, Interior design, Historic preservation |
| Predecessor | Walker & Gillette |
| Founded | 1 January 1906 in New York City, United States |
| Defunct | January 6, 2015 |
| Headquarters | New York City , United States |
Area served | Global |
| Products | Architectural design, Interior design, Historic preservation |
Swanke Hayden Connell Architects was a globally recognized firm specializing in architecture, interior design, and historic preservation, with its main office located in New York City.
History
The firm originated in New York in 1906 under the name Walker & Gillette, founded by Alexander Stewart Walker (1876–1952) and Leon N. Gillette (1878–1945). Initially, their work focused on designing luxurious country homes and urban townhouses for wealthy New Yorkers. Over time, the company expanded its expertise to include corporate interior projects for prominent banking and brokerage institutions, with significant works such as the Fuller Building at 57th Street and Madison Avenue and the First National Bank Building on 57th Street.
Following Gillette’s passing in 1945, Walker joined forces with Alfred Easton Poor, forming Walker & Poor from 1946 until 1952. During this period, notable commissions encompassed Sotheby Parke Bernet Galleries, Chemical Bank, Morgan Stanley & Co., Grumman Aircraft Engineering Corporation, as well as NATO air bases located in France.
After Walker died in 1952, the practice continued as the Office of Alfred Easton Poor up to 1971, establishing a branch in Washington, D.C. in 1958. The firm diversified its portfolio to include government buildings, office complexes, communication hubs, and industrial facilities throughout the United States, Europe, and South America.
The company underwent multiple rebrandings: Poor and Swanke & Partners (1972), Poor, Swanke, Hayden & Connell (1975), Swanke Hayden Connell & Partners (1979), culminating in Swanke Hayden Connell Architects (1981). Its international presence grew with additional offices opening in Miami and London (1987), Istanbul (1997), Sheffield (2002), Moscow (2006), and Shanghai (2010).
Key acquisitions involved Taylor Clark Architects in 2000, which specialized in healthcare architecture, followed by George Trew Dunn Architects in 2002, expanding operations with offices in London and Sheffield.
In 2013, Aukett Associates acquired Swanke Hayden Connell Europe. Subsequently, on January 6, 2015, the firm filed for Chapter 11 bankruptcy protection after encountering difficulties recovering more than US $2 million owed by a client.
Notable buildings
- 1983, Trump Tower, New York City, New York, U.S.
- 1983, Continental Center, New York City, New York, U.S.
- 1986, Restoration of the Statue of Liberty, Liberty Island, New York City, New York, U.S.
- 1989, 4 Columbus Circle, New York City, New York, U.S.
- 1989, Tower 45, New York City, New York, U.S.
- 1991, Americas Tower (1177 Avenue of the Americas), New York City, New York, U.S.
- 2000, Isbank Towers, Istanbul, Turkey
- 2002, Tekfen Tower, Istanbul, Turkey
- 2003, FDNY Training Center on Randall's Island, New York City, U.S.
- 2005, Dome restoration of the West Virginia State Capitol, Charleston, West Virginia, U.S.
- 2006, Headquarters for the New York City Office of Emergency Management, Brooklyn, New York City, U.S.
- 2011, Nassau County Public Safety Center in Westbury, New York State
- 2014, Eurasia Tower, Moscow, Russia
External links
- Official website: