650 Fifth Avenue

Identification

Map

Structure in general

Usage

Facts

• This building was built for the Pahlavi Foundation (of the late Shah of Persia).
• The facade is of light brown granite facing, with horizontal stripes of windows on the Fifth Avenue and 52nd Street side, extending also a bit over the corner to the 51st Street side and western facade.
• On the 52nd Street side is a large colonnaded opening with an outdoor escalator leading to the second floor retail spaces.
• The building replaced DePinna's department store on the northern portion of the blockside facing Fifth Avenue, next to the intensely set-back Cromwell Collier Building -- whereas the new neighbour had only the single setback required by the Special District zoning.
• Along with the different bases, the window rows and twin openings at the top are the only diversions from the esthetic design, resembling in form and style the mid-part of the contemporary, aluminium-clad Citigroup Center.