Hill West Architects has successfully brought to life the vision for 7 West 57^th Street, a new luxury residential building on one of New York City’s most prestigious blocks—Billionaire’s Row. Designed to complement the towering skyscrapers that surround it, the building stands out with a finely crafted, intimate presence, making an indelible mark on the skyline. 

The project’s design faced a unique set of challenges due to the compact size and its proximity to the imposing 9 West 57^th Street. Rather than compete in scale, Hill West focused on creating a building that was whimsical and elegant. 

“It made sense to Sheldon Solow because he owned this property directly adjacent to his flagship 9 West 57^th Street,” explains David West, partner at Hill West Architects. “He wanted a special building there to bookend his building, and he took a great deal of personal interest in it. That was a unique opportunity for us as architects to work with such a famous builder on a project that he really took personally.”

A standout feature of the building is its west-facing façade, which utilizes a customized glass cladding system. The Lamberts channel glass, provided by Bendheim, not only covers the necessary concrete shear wall but also enhances the structure’s sculptural, elegant qualities. The channel glass installed in this project is light weight but withstands high wind loads, adds texture and is perfect for backlighting. 

To achieve the desired aesthetic and functionality, Bendheim worked closely with Hill West, utilizing its extensive design toolbox to create a customized channel glass clip system. This system was specifically developed to ensure both aesthetics and cost efficiency. The clips allow for easy and fast installation, along with field adjustability of up to a half inch in each direction.

“I remember speaking with Bendheim when we discussed the width of the glass channel and how we would achieve that,” adds Senior Associate at Hill West Architects, Mourad Berrouane. “We didn't want to just put a flat glass cladding over the facade. We wanted a sense of translucency and depth.”

The building takes advantage of zoning regulations, which allowed for a subtle curve at the top of the building, further enhancing the visual appeal from every angle. The attention to detail in the design process—ranging from material selection to the building’s distinctive curvature—has resulted in a truly unique silhouette on one of the most coveted streets in New York City. 

7 West 57^th Street is a testament to the vision, collaboration and craftsmanship of all involved. While the project faced many challenges, including the site’s small footprint and proximity to larger buildings, Hill West Architects and Bendheim have created a sophisticated, luxurious residence that offers a unique alternative to the surrounding towers of Billionaire’s Row.