10. McGraw Hill Building, 1221 Sixth Avenue

Sun-Triangle-Mcgraw-Hill-Sixth-Avenue-International-Style-Untapped Cities-Nasha Virata

TheMcGraw Hill Building is part of the “XYZ” building (with McGraw Hill being the Y at the center), all designed by the firm of Wallace Harrison, also responsible for much of Rockefeller Center across the street. The three international style buildings, particularly 1221 above, are examples of Privately Owned Public Spaces (POPS) gone wrong. The sunken plazas in each one looks unwelcoming and in the case of 1221 Sixth Avenue, potentially not a POPS at all, given its violation of certain qualifications.

For the McGraw Hill buidling however, the addition of a  50-foot tall polished stainless steel structure raises the sunken plaza back to ground level creating a more open atmosphere for pedestrians. “The Sun Triangle” is arranged so each side points to the four seasonal positions of the sun at solar noon in NYC.

For more unique sculptures in New York City, read about 10 statues you wouldn’t expect in Manhattan’s public spaces.