550 Madison

This landmark project at 550 Madison Avenue features an open public space with a partially covering glass canopy of monumental proportions providing a unique atrium-like feel. Breathtaking plantings, conifer trees, flowering shrubs, curving stonework garden walls, natural stone cut pavers, custom furniture programming and natural stone cut pavers make this an extraordinary oasis in Midtown Manhattan.

This LEED Certified project combines a 20% use of salvaged granite stone from the original site. The project combines four different granite pavers in a thermal and water jet finish, installed in a 12,000 square foot custom cut granite laid bond pattern. Custom landscape form benches follow the contour of the precast planters and stonework.

550 Madison’s hardscape design features complete integration of environmental green techniques. The project holds LEED Platinum and WELL Gold Certifications. Integrated elements within garden spaces include sculptured waterfalls with trickling water embedded within a cascade of stone walls. The design creates a green oasis unlike any other courtyard in Midtown Manhattan. The 550 Madsion Avenue project is a magnificent repurposing of a previously closed off passageway between 55th and 56th Streets in Midtown Manhattan.

Construction materials were chosen to complement one another in this landmark project design. Authentic salvaged granite stone from the original site, granite pavers in a thermal and water jet finish, custom Ipe wood benches, dramatic precast planters, and hardscaped stonework water features seamlessly create an incomparable “piazza like” feel in this gracious New York City setting.

The installation project, situated in a picturesque courtyard in one of the busiest areas of NYC, presented a unique set of challenges that required careful navigation and coordination. Executed over a tight 60-day timeline, we faced significant accessibility issues throughout the process.

Given the project’s proximity to the United Nations, our team frequently encountered heightened security measures. At times, we had to coordinate directly with the Secret Service when the president was in town, ensuring that our operations aligned with their protocols.

Additionally, logistical hurdles arose from the courtyard’s design, as it sits atop a basement. This necessitated craning in over 1,000 cubic yards of soil and all other materials from the street, further complicating our access and timing.

Despite these challenges, our team remained committed to delivering a successful project, utilizing strategic planning and effective communication to navigate the complexities of this high-profile location.