Project: 1271 Avenue of The Americas Repositioning

Location: New York City, NY

Architect: Pei Cobb Freed & Partners

Type: Office Tower Repositioning, Mixed Used

Client: Rockefeller Group

Size: 2,000,000 SF

Year: 2020

Program: Office, Retail, Transit Connections

As a key Designer on the 1271 Avenue of the Americas Tower Recladding & Repositioning project, Christopher Reynolds played a pivotal role in revitalizing this iconic mid-century office tower in Manhattan. Tasked with modernizing the building’s façade and reimagining its public spaces, Christopher’s expertise ensured a seamless transformation.

Key Contributions:

1. Curtain Wall & Storefront Design: Design and documentation of a modernized curtain wall and storefront system, enhancing the tower’s energy performance, daylighting, and visual presence while preserving its architectural heritage.

2. Designer for New Canopy: Designed a striking new entrance canopy that aligned with the building’s refreshed identity, adding a contemporary touch while providing functional weather protection for the main entry.

3. Existing Condition Documentation: Conducted meticulous documentation of the building’s existing conditions, ensuring that all new design interventions were sensitive to the original structure while meeting current code and performance requirements.

4. Consultant Coordination: Managed collaboration between structural, MEP, and façade engineering consultants, ensuring cohesive solutions that aligned with both design and construction goals.

5. Material Research & Product Selection: Led extensive material research to identify innovative, high-performance materials suitable for the recladding. Christopher coordinated product selection and worked closely with vendors to ensure timely delivery of materials that met durability, aesthetic, and sustainability criteria.

6. Vendor Coordination: Worked directly with product vendors, ensuring that materials selected were delivered on schedule and within budget, all while maintaining the highest standards of quality.

7. Construction Negotiation & Coordination: Collaborated with construction teams and contractors, participating in negotiations to ensure that the design intent was upheld during the construction pricing phase.

8. Documentation Leader / Job Captain: As Job Captain, Christopher oversaw the production of construction documents, ensuring accuracy, clarity, and comprehensive detail. He maintained clear communication among all parties, ensuring that design documentation was aligned with construction needs.