Time Warner Center
New York, USA

HEIGHT: 229m/750 feet
FLOORS: 55 floors
COMPLETION: 2004
ARCHITECT: Skidmore, Owings & Merrill (SOM)

The design of AOL Time Warner Center is motivated by programmatic requirements as well as the unique context of its surroundings. The design alludes to twin residential towers lining Central Park West - the Century, the Majestic, the San Remo, and the El Dorado. AOL Time Warner Center consists of several distinct forms that moderate the scale of the project and allow light and air to filter through the building, reaching the streets and park below. The building rises from a stone and glass base containing the retail and studio components. Two glass trapezoidal towers set atop the podium rise to a height of 750 feet and culminate in luminous glass and steel crowns. The towers house the headquarters for AOL Time Warner in the lower floors, a Mandarin Oriental Hotel, and One Central Park luxury condominiums, located from the fifty-second to the eightieth floors.

The design is defined by the overlap of three of Manhattan's most significant urban constituents - the city grid, Broadway, and Central Park. The Manhattan grid, or more specifically 59th Street, is reflected in the project on two levels. First, it is recreated within a 150-foot transparent glass cable net wall.with a retail street at the base of the project and Jazz @ Lincoln Center performance lobby situated above. Second, the line of 59th street is rearticulated as a "window" between the towers, extending the view corridor west of Central Park South.

While the reinscription of the city grid is the primary organization and massing strategy, its transformation and articulation is suggested by the diagonal passing of Broadway and resonating geometries of the circle. The sweeping base continues the pedestrian scale of Broadway and curves along Columbus Circle juxtaposed to the grid. As the glass wall transforms to facets of glass at office floors levels, the outward spread of the circle contrasts the angular faces of the towers aligned with Broadway below. The presence of Central Park further defines the design as the towers' angles reinforce the diagonal relationship between site and park and present a new face to the park.

http://www.skyscrapercity.com/photopost/data/500/24042004_0430Image0022.JPG

http://img51.photobucket.com/albums/v156/AtlanticaC5/skyscrapers/TWC.jpg

http://img51.photobucket.com/albums/v156/AtlanticaC5/skyscrapers/TWC2.jpg

http://cloudtravel.typepad.com/photos/time_warner_center/time_warner.jpg

Entrance:

http://cloudtravel.typepad.com/photos/time_warner_center/entrance.jpg

http://amysrobot.com/files/twc/big/DSCF0088.jpg

http://amysrobot.com/files/twc/big/DSCF0080.jpg

8/10 I like them, even though I would like the crowns to look like in the rendering...

8.5/10

Very cool. The setabacks are awesome and I love the base. Plus, there is a mall inside! I don't care for the crown though.

its awesome....9/10

Really SOM and that's I like most of their work. Screams Corporate. I like the crowns and they have put some umpfff into that part of N.Y.C..

8.5

8.5/10 - the towers are slim enough to have good soaring height, and, as always, I'm a sucker for a nice shiney-shiney glass curtain wall facade. The set backs help them rise skyward, and their crowns, while flat, are not monotonous. They also go well with their base, which seems to "meet the street" well.

I do wonder, however, if a stronger color (or maybe two, for the sake of contrast), wouldn't make it even more interesting, and the base could be more symmetrical, though I realize that that is probably due to the shape of the site...Oh, yeah - and what about some slim silvery mullions racing up the sides of the towers?...

Unclear design, a dissapointment from this architecture bureau.
Maybe more pics would have helped.

6/10

@savethewtc: Pics added :D

- AtlanticaC5

8/10

Sleek, icy and sexy. The base and top are interesting too.

Very cool designs. 9/10

i like its shape and blue glass, but the facade can use a bit more details...

9

Really nice 8.5/10

8/10

odd, but I like it

8/10. Sleek, but the renderings looked slightly better.

9/10...One of the few NYC buildings to be completed and instantly draw attention and leave a mark. The facade is simple, but amazingly reflective. I read a letter in the newspaper once which complained about the towers being so reflective in the early morning that they were blinding. They are very functional too, even if you don't like the buildings themselves, you could still enjoy and make use of what they provide. The only disappointment is somewhat on the crowns, the renderings portrayed them to be more visible but they're not that bad.

Their proximity and closeness to Central Park makes them a huge asset I think, there you have the park full of nature and then these towering twin towers glistening in the backdrop.

The TWC is a must see for anyone who visits NYC.

Here's some photos I took of it:

http://www.skyscrapercity.com/photopost/data/500/24042004_0430Image0016.JPG

http://www.skyscrapercity.com/photopost/data/500/24042004_0430Image0017.JPG

http://www.skyscrapercity.com/photopost/data/500/24042004_0430Image0018.JPG

http://www.skyscrapercity.com/photopost/data/500/24042004_0430Image0020.JPG

http://www.skyscrapercity.com/photopost/data/500/24042004_0430Image0022.JPG

The buildings are good but look a little odd.
8/10

Quite good! :D 8.5/10

nice and glassy.

it's shape looks quite similar to Singapore's Suntec City:D

8/10

I dunno I really didnt like it that much... sorry! 6.5

That was kind of disappointing... the renderings looked so much nicer. 6.5

8.5/10

I've seen this building while under construction.... was'nt this a Trump-project? Close to the Plaza, but more to the west? If so the top appartments cost up to a $ 25 million.....and then some!

Impressive when faced with the building, but now when I see it finished it's a bit dissapointing. Probably because the crown is'nt all that!

Love the city Though!!!!

I've seen this building while under construction.... was'nt this a Trump-project? Close to the Plaza, but more to the west? If so the top appartments cost up to a $ 25 million.....and then some!

Impressive when faced with the building, but now when I see it finished it's a bit dissapointing. Probably because the crown is'nt all that!

Love the city Though!!!!

Nah this isn't a Trump project, the Trump International Hotel & Tower however is right next door.

i really like these 8/10

http://img51.photobucket.com/albums/v156/AtlanticaC5/skyscrapers/TWC.jpg

Hey guys, how bout some credits to those who made the photos...

Cool pair. 9.0

I Like It. 8.5/10

I don't like it too much. 5.5.

I love this twin tower, especially on a clear day when it's really shiny and beautiful. David Childs is a good architect. 8.5

One of the very good new buidlings in NY. 9/10

my current NYC favorite 10/10

I was in NY for a long stretch while they were building it. On the corner of Columbus and next to the Perk, I passed it daily. It is one of those buildings that always make you look twice. Especially when the sun bounces of it. Next time I am in NYC I will shoot a session of it. There is a gym in it which is so expensive that people could live of the contribution for a couple of years :)

I dont like how its so angular....too much for me...but it is better than anything where I live...7/10

dang, thats awsome. 8/10

8

Modern and striking

8/10

10! One of my favorite complexes in NYC (besides Rockefellercenter).

AWFUL, ok at ground level. The towers are ghastly to me though 4/10

I must admit, I'm not a huge fan of these towers. It's their shape ... there's just something about them. From certain angles they seem a bit "thin" and awkward, I think I'd prefer them to be a bit bulkier, I can't quite explain it.

Anyway, I like the flat shiny facade, and they certainly soar well. Overall they're a positive addition to the skyline, but not amongst my favourites.

7/10

I like the trapezoidal towers, even if I don't know how many angles that is. I like the mirror effect of the glass and the multiple uses it has; four star hotel, corporate HQ, retail stores, condos and even CNN studios. 9/10

if you look at it standing front of the golden statues from the central park it looks really awesome (or are my visions biased also? :) )

This is reaaly a nice scraoer. 8.5

Well although it's unique and somewhat interesting I just don't really like all glass sky blue skyscrapers. 5/10

Bold and stunning. I love the angles. Glass curtain at its best. 9.5

9/10

NIce 8/10!

cool !!! 10/10

7/10

It looks like 2D !! Glassy plus they built two !
BTW , any night pics ??

9/10

looks kool ^^
8

I like this one !

9/10. Beautiful, well proportioned building. Nice atrium as well.

Yes this is fine building for new york.

8.5/10

:cheers:

The crown jewel of Columbus Circle!

7.5/10 the facade is bland, but the facade and the setbacks are details well worth having in this building.

8/10

looks nice, but I think it miss something.

these buildings mean a great deal to me personally for quite private reasons, but...


i'm still greatly disappointed by their squat-height--


should've been TWICE as tall, and throw a spire on one of 'em and we've got a WTC back-up gentlemen! :)


8.0 in reality...

had the potential of a 10... :(

Very impressive! 8,5

nice 7

http://img17.exs.cx/img17/668/aol06.jpg

http://img17.exs.cx/img17/4238/aol00.jpg

http://img17.exs.cx/img17/6219/aol01.jpg

http://www.worldgallery.cs-future.com/images/RIMG9443.jpg

http://www.worldgallery.cs-future.com/images/RIMG9453.jpg

／( ^｡^)／ GOOD ＼(^｡^)＼

7.5/10

8/10 two in one

Two great additions to the New York City skyline. Very beautiful, especially the crowns. I give them both a 9.5/10. :D

That's really a lot of glass, now.
It's not bad, but it's so glassy it's almost blurry ^^
The different shapes from different viewpoints are good, but really, something to outline the glass would be nice.
5.5

Two great additions to the New York City skyline. Very beautiful, especially the crowns. I give them both a 9.5/10. :D
its actually one building

8/10

I like these buildings, so bold!
Great desgin, they look even taller than they are
9/10 :cheers:

9.5/10

7.5.

8.5/10

The cladding is pretty good and the shape is very eye-cathcing.Plus,the location is also very good.

8/10

8/10.

9.5

Instantly one of my city favorites.

quite good... 8

Great boxes! 9/10

8.5/10.

7/10

7.5/10

Nice glassy boxes ;) 8/10

8/10

10/10

9/10

cool designs. 9/10

not that great..7.5

a give it a 8. is this david child's best work yet?

I like the sharp cut it has in the corners 9/10. Is it considered one or two buildings?

9/10 fantastic! i'll live here (in my dreams)

Nice 8/10

8/10 very nice

not bad 7/10

instantly recognizable as new york. beautiful 9/10.. but does the glass seem a bit aged already?

7/10.

8.5/10

I love them.... 10.

7,5/10

8.5

in real life they look like they're drawn on paper...they dont look 3d at all and its so strange...very nice

The renderings were nicer but that is often the case. Im still happy with how they turned out.

8/10

I like most of the buildings desinged by Skidmore, Owings & Merrill.
See one of their latest achievment - Rondo 1


http://www.rondo1.pl/en-photos.html

8/10

http://img17.exs.cx/img17/668/aol06.jpg
looks alot like the 59-story tower that we're gettin'. 10/10

8/10

8/10 It's shiny

8.5/10.

8/10.

6,5/10

7/10

great towers, 9/10

9/10

Very modern.. and I like the twin tower look, as always.. 9/10

7.5/10

8.5/10

10!

8/10

8/10

Like the design not sure how these towers will date. I think they may age badly. 7/10

7/10

GLASSY! 8.5/10

the sharp corners,the setbacks and beautiful glass facade makes this tower
deserve a 8/10

8/10

9/10

5/10

it might not be nyc's best for me, but its one of the better glass scrapers there. 9/10

10. great.

7.5/10 looks great at the right angles

9/10

10

love them

they're very great and classy, 9.5/10

Neeeat! 9/10

Strong and wonderful fort. 8/10.

9/10

love it.

7.5/10.

it's an okay building. looks good in tycoon city.:)

Not bad i think. A 8 out of 10.

Here are a couple of more pics...

http://wirednewyork.com/aol/images/time_warner_observatory.jpg

http://mylifestream.net/photostream/uploaded_images/Time-Warner-Bldg-Lighting-Contrasts-Sep04-1-737867.JPGhttp://www.aviewoncities.com/img/nyc/kveus2341s.jpg

http://wirednewyork.com/aol/images/1centralpark_hudson.jpg

http://wirednewyork.com/aol/images/time_warner_center_crown.jpg

I love this complex! 10

7.5/10

9.5/10

i like the building, but Time Warner f-ing sucks. i hate their internet and cable. the company is horrible with customers. they truly don't deserve a building this nice.

8/10

8/10

8/10

10/10

7/10

8,5/10

10/10

one of my favorite buildings in new york city

awesome towers 9/10

7.5/10

Cool design, poor glass quality :)

i personally love it

http://farm1.static.flickr.com/153/385539694_9f2550146f_o.jpg

great glass quality!

photo from flickr

9.5/10

These look great where they are in NYC. 10/10

5/10

nice twin tower

http://farm2.static.flickr.com/1027/906723566_031f62b85e_b.jpg

7/10

Sleek, icy and sexy.

8/10

nice. 9

9.5/10

classy 9/10:)

One of the symbols of NYC.

9.5/10

9/10

Do you Know the rapper JAY Z (here is Jay z http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Jay-Z). He owns an apartment in the building. One of the towers is an office building and the other is a residential building

I like the sleekness.8

7.5/10

8/10

7.5

I don't like the top but...
8/10

9,5/10

8/10

not bad 8/10

8.5/10

Nice sleek glassy box. I'm not a huge fan of the crown, though.

Great towers ! Specially from the main entrance !

8.5/10

9/10. i like them. look quite good at night!

9. Very good building. Regards.

8.5/10

the design looks futuristic, like it's taken out from a star wars movie...very nice.

i like its color 9/10

9/10

7/10

9/10

http://farm3.static.flickr.com/2789/4150559648_c64590e67f_b.jpg
BostonCityWalk (http://www.flickr.com/photos/bostoncitywalk/4150559648/)

10/10:)

6.5

I love this one!
10/10

9/10 I love the shape and proportions. Very nice cladding aswell!

8/10

9/10

Really neat couple! 9/10

10/10 Modern Greatness, Glass done Right!!! (but now I wanna put it at 9 because it would look really nice if it were atleast 10 stories taller)...

6/10

8.5

8.5/10

I love these towers. The glass looks so great.

8/10

9/10

8/10 Very impressive and dominating. :)

Neat and sleek...8/10

8/10

9/10 superb and glassy

8,5/10

8,5/10

8/10

6.5/10

Nice but there should be a great topping for it to look much more than that!

8/10

6.5/10

9/10

7/10

2+ :ohno:

6.5/10. Average.

9.5

7/10

Very cool designs. 9/10

9,5/10

10/10

I just love these towers. They just scream corporate New York

Massive complex!

10/10!

http://img.xcitefun.net/users/2011/04/239457,xcitefun-time-warner-center-1.jpg

8.5/10

Nice with the round podium and the angular towers. 8,5/10

They're very menacing ;)
8/10

9/10

10/10