One Vanderbilt vs 712 Fifth Avenue Building

Comparing the One Vanderbilt and the 712 Fifth Avenue Building is particularly interesting because they share the same skyline in New York, NY, and were both designed by Kohn Pedersen Fox Associates. However, they were completed more than 30 years apart.

This offers a unique perspective on how the architect's style and the city's architecture evolved over time.

The One Vanderbilt is clearly the larger tower of the two, both in terms of height and number of floors. It rises to 1401ft (427m) with 67 floors above ground, while the 712 Fifth Avenue Building reaches 650ft (198m) with 52 floors above ground.

Of course, each project may have faced different briefs or regulatory constraints, which we don't really know about and could also explain the outcome.

The One Vanderbilt was designed in the Contemporary style, while the 712 Fifth Avenue Building reflects the principles of Postmodernism.

At the time of their completion, both styles were well established. This makes the comparison especially interesting, because both buildings represent a dominant aesthetic at a particular point in time.

Built 30 years apart (2020 vs 1990), these two buildings are a perfect example of how different architectural styles have shaped the architectural landscape of our cities over time.

Both the One Vanderbilt and the 712 Fifth Avenue Building were designed to serve as commercial towers, and that has remained their main use since their completion, serving similar roles in the urban fabric.

The two buildings opted for different structural and facade solutions.

The One Vanderbilt uses a Trussed Frame system, which uses diagonal bracing in addition to beams and columns for stability, while the 712 Fifth Avenue Building uses a Frame system, that relies on a regular grid of columns and beams to sustain its weight.

And when it came to the facade, the Curtain Wall went with a Curtain Wall facade, which uses a lightweight glass curtain wall hung from the structure, while the 712 Fifth Avenue Building opted for a Masonry facade, that features a heavy masonry skin that gives it a more clasical look.