The architectural and interior design practice Fogarty Finger has a reputation for creating unique and distinctive amenity spaces that respect the character of the buildings in which they reside. This is precisely why 555 Madison Avenue tapped them to collaborate on the new tenant amenity space in development that will occupy the entire 22nd floor of our building.
The hospitality team at Fogarty Finger is led by Alexandra Cuber. She has been with the practice for 12 years and her team has worked on projects including the Savoy Club in the GM Building and the Sage Clubs located at 767 Third Avenue and 437 Madison Avenue.
The hospitality team at Fogarty Finger is led by Alexandra Cuber. She has been with the practice for 12 years and her team has worked on projects including the Savoy Club in the GM Building and the Sage Clubs located at 767 Third Avenue and 437 Madison Avenue.
For the last year, Cuber has partnered with Dionicia Hernandez and the management team at 555 Madison to bring the vision for our amenity space to fruition. The space will have an expansive open area lounge with a coffee bar, a co-working space/library, a large conference room and an outdoor space designed by the landscape architects Blondie’s Treehouse. The space will be available to all tenants and may be rented in part or in whole for private tenant-hosted events. The vision for the space was one that would serve both as an extension of tenant office space with practical applications and as an oasis for tenants to relax, socialize and find community within 555 Madison.
“555 Madison Avenue is a special building. The tenants are very sophisticated and there are deep family roots here. It was clear from the beginning that there was a desire to create something bespoke and elevated that reflected this. The owners wanted something that would add to the tenant experience but would align with the history of the building as well,” said Cuber. “The approach was very respectful of fostering community, and seeing that consideration from a client is really special.”
The designs for the space embody openness, elevated style, attention to detail and the familiar. The color palette, materiality and accents share the visual vocabulary of other spaces within the building.
“It is not like going up into a spaceship to a different place. Terrazzo flooring, for example, is used in the entrance, and will be in the 1st floor lobby. Bronze accents and neutral colors are familiar elements for the building,” says Cuber.
The space also has vast windows overlooking Madison Avenue, glass interior doors, light oak wood flooring in a herringbone pattern, and a pop-up ceiling that gives a perception of height. All this creates an inviting, open space that tenants can enjoy.
Right now, the design team is sourcing the final materials and furnishings for the buildout. Cuber notes while some design components may be altered during the procurement phase, these renderings show the overall look and feel for the final space. They will adhere to the intentional vision established for the project.
“Sometimes it is easier to say, ‘gut it all,’ but that’s not always the most considered approach. Here, we had a partner in 555 Madison that wanted us to consider the history of the building, as well as the needs and elegance of its tenancy,” said Cuber. “The challenge and the collaboration are something that I really appreciate and the end result will be better for it.”
Construction of the new space is slated to begin in February 2024 with the goal of opening the space to tenants in the summer.
