425 Park Ave building black and white photo from Gottscho-Schleisner Collection

425 Park Avenue

425 Park Avenue Visiting Hours, Tickets, and Complete Guide to New York City’s Modern Landmark

Date: 14/06/2025

425 Park Avenue, a transformative addition to Midtown Manhattan’s skyline, is much more than a commercial office tower. It is an exemplar of architectural innovation, historical evolution, and cultural engagement, drawing visitors for its design, public art, and the acclaimed Four Twenty Five restaurant by Jean-Georges Vongerichten. Whether you are seeking “425 Park Avenue visiting hours,” “425 Park Avenue tickets,” or planning to explore New York City’s rich architectural and cultural landscape, this comprehensive guide provides all the information you need for an enriching visit.

Introduction and Significance
Historical Evolution of 425 Park Avenue
Redevelopment: Vision, Design, and Engineering
Architectural Features and Sustainability
Visiting Information: Hours, Tickets, and Access
Public Art and Amenities
Dining at Four Twenty Five by Jean-Georges
Nearby Midtown Attractions
Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ)
Summary and Visitor Tips
Sources and Further Reading

Chemical Corn Exchange building at 425 Park Avenue in New York City from historic Gottscho-Schleisner Collection

Chemical Corn Exchange building at 425 Park Avenue in New York City

Chemical Corn Exchange building at 425 Park Avenue, New York

Chemical Corn Exchange building at 425 Park Ave, New York historic black and white photo

Introduction and Significance

Situated at the heart of Midtown Manhattan between 55th and 56th Streets, 425 Park Avenue stands as a beacon of contemporary design and urban renewal. The building’s recent redevelopment—led by Foster + Partners under Lord Norman Foster—honors the site’s storied past while setting new benchmarks for sustainability, wellness, and workplace innovation. Its distinctive diagrid structure, integration of public art, and LEED Gold and WELL Core Gold certifications establish 425 Park Avenue as both a workplace and cultural destination (Foster + Partners, Wikipedia).

Historical Evolution of 425 Park Avenue

Originally developed in 1871 with elegant townhouses by Robert Goelet, the Park Avenue corridor gradually shifted from residential to commercial use as Midtown emerged as New York’s business hub. In 1957, the original 32-story office tower at 425 Park Avenue, designed by Kahn & Jacobs, opened as a model of Modernist engineering. It was notable for its bolted steel connections and served as headquarters for major companies, including the National Biscuit Company and Chemical Corn Exchange Bank (Wikipedia).

By the early 2000s, the building lagged behind modern standards, prompting L&L Holding Company to spearhead a visionary redevelopment. Zoning regulations complicated efforts to maximize floor area, but an innovative plan to partially retain the original structure enabled a full-block redevelopment while preserving development rights (Stirworld).

Redevelopment: Vision, Design, and Engineering

International Design Competition

L&L Holding launched a high-profile international competition, attracting leading architects such as Zaha Hadid and Rem Koolhaas. Foster + Partners won with a design balancing Modernist legacy and bold contemporary vision (Archute).

Structural Innovation

The redevelopment required ingenious engineering: the top 15 floors of the old building were removed, while a portion of the original steel frame was retained to comply with zoning rules (New York YIMBY). The new 47-story tower was constructed around and above this skeleton, maximizing usable space while minimizing waste and environmental impact (Architectural Record).

Financial Undertaking

With construction commencing in 2016 and the tower opening in 2022, the project cost approached $1 billion, reflecting its scale and prestige (Architectural Record).

Architectural Features and Sustainability

425 Park Avenue is the first full-block office tower on Park Avenue in over 50 years. Its 897-foot (273-meter), 47-story profile is defined by three illuminated fins and distinctive triple-height diagrid floors, creating column-free, flexible interiors and maximizing daylight (Visualhouse, Archeyes). The building’s setbacks and terraces provide outdoor green spaces at multiple levels.

The tower is LEED Gold and WELL Core Gold certified, with advanced air filtration, energy-efficient systems, and abundant natural light. The central core and open floor plates support modern, collaborative workspaces. The partial reuse of the original building minimized construction waste and embodied sustainable urban renewal (Foster + Partners).

Visiting Information: Hours, Tickets, and Access

Public Access

Lobby: Open to the public Monday through Friday, 8:00 AM to 6:00 PM.
“Constellations” Art Exhibition: Open by appointment Tuesday through Saturday, 10:00 AM to 6:00 PM; free admission, but advance booking is required via SPACE2CURATE.
Four Twenty Five Restaurant: Open for lunch and dinner; reservation recommended via official website or by phone at +1 212-751-6921.
Tickets: No tickets required for lobby or restaurant access; art exhibition requires free timed tickets.

Accessibility

425 Park Avenue is fully ADA-compliant:

Step-free entrances and elevators.
Accessible restrooms.
Service animals permitted.
Staff can assist with additional needs—inform ahead for restaurant reservations.

Security & Entry

Visitors pass through the main Park Avenue lobby, with security checks typical of Manhattan office towers. Valid photo ID may be requested for access to certain areas.

Public Art and Amenities

Sol LeWitt’s “Bars of Color within Squares”

A monumental mural (39 feet tall by 13 feet wide) by Sol LeWitt enlivens the lobby, visible from Park Avenue and accessible during business hours (citybiz.co).

Anthony James’s “Constellations”

This immersive installation occupies a 5,000-square-foot triple-height glass gallery at the building’s southeast corner, open by appointment (New York YIMBY).

Yayoi Kusama’s “Narcissus Garden” (Tenant Amenity)

Located in the Diagrid Club and accessible to tenants/guests, this avant-garde installation features over 400 mirrored spheres.

Larry Poons’s “Hunch”

Adorning the Four Twenty Five cocktail lounge, this 24-foot painting adds vibrancy to the sophisticated dining space (425parkrestaurant.com).

Dining at Four Twenty Five by Jean-Georges

A destination in itself, Four Twenty Five blends culinary excellence with design. Highlights:

Mezzanine Dining Room: Panoramic Park Avenue views; open kitchen.
Cocktail Lounge/Bar: Street-level, beneath 45-foot ceilings.
Sustainability: Responsible sourcing and eco-friendly operations.
Reservations: Essential, especially for the mezzanine dining room (Michelin Guide, official site).
Dress Code: Business casual recommended.

Nearby Midtown Attractions

425 Park Avenue’s central location provides easy access to:

Central Park: 10-minute walk north.
Museum of Modern Art (MoMA): 7-minute walk west.
St. Patrick’s Cathedral: 5-minute walk southwest.
Rockefeller Center: 10-minute walk west.

These sites enrich the visitor experience and make 425 Park Avenue an ideal starting point for exploring Midtown Manhattan (loving-newyork.com).

Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ)

Q: What are the visiting hours for 425 Park Avenue?
A: Monday–Friday, 8:00 AM–6:00 PM for public lobby access. The “Constellations” exhibition is open by appointment Tuesday–Saturday, 10:00 AM–6:00 PM.

Q: Is there an admission fee?
A: Lobby and restaurant access is free. “Constellations” exhibition is free but requires advance reservation.

Q: Are guided tours available?
A: No regular guided tours; self-guided visits by appointment for art installations.

Q: How do I make restaurant reservations?
A: Via the official website or by calling +1 212-751-6921.

Q: Is the building wheelchair accessible?
A: Yes, 425 Park Avenue is fully ADA-compliant.

Q: Can I take photos?
A: Permitted in public and art spaces; check posted guidelines in dining/private areas.

Summary and Visitor Tips

425 Park Avenue is a landmark of New York’s spirit of reinvention—uniting innovative engineering, sustainable design, and vibrant public art. Key information for your visit:

No tickets required for general access.
Lobby and art exhibitions open during business hours; special exhibitions by appointment.
Make restaurant reservations in advance.
Fully accessible for visitors with disabilities.
Ideal location for exploring Midtown’s top cultural sites.

Prepare ahead, respect the professional environment, and allow time to enjoy both the architecture and art. For an enhanced experience, explore virtual tours and photo galleries on the building’s official website.