{{Short description|Office skyscraper in Manhattan, New York}} {{Good article}} {{Use American English|date=September 2025}} {{Use mdy dates|date=August 2021}} {{Infobox building | name = 787 Seventh Avenue | image = AXA Center from GE Building, cropped.jpg | image_size = 200px | caption = View to the northwest (September 2009) | alt = | status = Complete | completion_date = 1986 | antenna_spire = | roof = {{convert|752|ft|0|abbr=on}} | top_floor = 51 | floor_count = 54 | construction_start_date = | opening_date = | building_type = Commercial building (offices and retail) | floor_area = | developer = Equitable Life Assurance Society | architect = Edward Larrabee Barnes | structural_engineer = Severud Associates | main_contractor = Turner Construction | address = 787 Seventh Avenue, Manhattan, New York | mapframe-wikidata = yes | coordinates = {{coord|40.761733|-73.981802|region:US-NY|format=dms|display=inline,title}} }}
'''Axa Equitable Center''' (originally the '''Equitable Tower''' or '''Equitable Center West''') is an office skyscraper at 787 Seventh Avenue, between 51st and 52nd Streets, in the Midtown Manhattan neighborhood of New York City. Completed in 1986 and designed by Edward Larrabee Barnes, the building measures {{Convert|752|ft}} tall with 54 stories. Equitable Center West was developed by the Equitable Life Assurance Society (later renamed Equitable Holdings, part of Axa) adjacent to Equitable's existing skyscraper at 1285 Avenue of the Americas.
The facade is clad in granite, applied in a two-tone pattern of white horizontal and red vertical bands. The building has three setbacks, as well as a penthouse at the top with arched windows. Equitable acquired an extensive collection of artwork to display in the building's public spaces. There is a public galleria from 51st to 52nd Street, which forms part of 6½ Avenue, as well as an arched entrance atrium from Seventh Avenue. The complex also includes an underground concourse, several restaurants, and a corporate auditorium.
The building was proposed in the early 1980s and, after the site was acquired, Equitable's board approved the plans for the tower in 1983. When the tower opened, the company's corporate offices occupied about a third of the space, and the ground story had commercial concerns such as the Le Bernardin restaurant and a branch of the Whitney Museum. Equitable only used the tower as its headquarters until the late 1990s, and the California Public Employees' Retirement System (CalPERS) acquired Axa Equitable Center in 2016.
==Site== 787 Seventh (formerly known as the AXA Equitable Building) is at 787 Seventh Avenue in the Midtown Manhattan neighborhood of New York City.<ref name="ZoLa">{{Cite web|title=787 7 Avenue, 10019|url=https://zola.planning.nyc.gov/l/lot/1/1004/20|url-status=live|access-date=September 8, 2020|publisher=New York City Department of City Planning|archive-date=August 28, 2021|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20210828234302/https://zola.planning.nyc.gov/l/lot/1/1004/20}}</ref><ref name="aia5">{{cite aia5|pages=302–303}}</ref> The building's rectangular land lot occupies the western half of the city block bounded by Seventh Avenue to the west, 51st Street to the south, Sixth Avenue (Avenue of the Americas) to the east, and 52nd Street to the north.<ref name="ZoLa" /><ref name="Stern (2006) p. 625" /> The site covers {{Convert|80,333|ft2}}, with a frontage of {{Convert|200|ft||abbr=}} on Seventh Avenue and {{Convert|400|ft}} along the side streets.<ref name="ZoLa" />
Adjacent is 1285 Avenue of the Americas (1285 Sixth Avenue; Equitable Center East), designed by Skidmore, Owings & Merrill and constructed from 1959 to 1961. The Sixth Avenue building occupies the eastern half of the city block.<ref name="NY1960">{{Stern: New York|page=403|edition=1960}}</ref><ref>{{cite book|last1=White|first1=Norval|url=https://books.google.com/books?id=SiQ-HAAACAAJ|title=AIA Guide to New York City|last2=Willensky|first2=Elliot|publisher=New York Chapter, American Institute of Architects|year=1967|page=134|access-date=August 28, 2021|archive-date=August 25, 2021|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20210825224456/https://books.google.com/books?id=SiQ-HAAACAAJ|url-status=live}}</ref><ref name="Reynolds p. 172">{{harvnb|Reynolds|1994|ps=.|p=172}}</ref> The sidewalk in front of the building is made of pink granite, extending eastward in front of 1285 Sixth Avenue. The sidewalks adjacent to 1285 Sixth Avenue comprise Urban Plaza North and South, designed by Scott Burton.<ref name="Reynolds p. 172" /> Axa Equitable Center is also near 810 Seventh Avenue to the northwest, the Sheraton New York Times Square Hotel and Flatotel New York City to the north, Credit Lyonnais Building to the northeast, 1271 Avenue of the Americas to the southeast, The Michelangelo to the south, and the Winter Garden Theatre to the southwest.<ref name="ZoLa" /><ref name="aia5" /> The site occupied by Axa Equitable Center had contained the Victoria and Abbey hotels<!--the earlier Hotel Victoria (New York City) is not the correct link --> just before the skyscraper's construction.<ref name="Stern (2006) p. 626">{{harvnb|Stern|Fishman|Tilove|2006|ps=.|p=626}}</ref><ref name="nyt19820627">{{Cite news|date=June 27, 1982|title=Postings; After 55 Years; R.I.P. Abbey|language=en-US|work=The New York Times|url=https://www.nytimes.com/1982/06/27/realestate/postings-after-55-years-rip-abbey.html|access-date=August 26, 2021|issn=0362-4331|archive-date=August 26, 2021|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20210826161625/https://www.nytimes.com/1982/06/27/realestate/postings-after-55-years-rip-abbey.html|url-status=live}}</ref><ref name="Reynolds p. 169">{{harvnb|Reynolds|1994|ps=.|p=169}}</ref>
==Architecture== Axa Equitable Center was designed in the postmodern style by Edward Larrabee Barnes<ref name="Reynolds p. 172" /><ref name="Emporis">{{Cite web|title=AXA Center|url=https://www.emporis.com/buildings/116341/axa-center-new-york-city-ny-usa|url-status=usurped|access-date=January 1, 2021|publisher=Emporis|archive-date=April 30, 2007|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20070430150622/http://www.emporis.com/en/wm/bu/?id=axacenter-newyorkcity-ny-usa}}</ref><ref name="The Skyscraper Center 2016">{{cite web|date=April 7, 2016|title=787 Seventh Avenue|url=http://skyscrapercenter.info/building/787-seventh-avenue/1118|url-status=live|access-date=August 24, 2021|website=The Skyscraper Center|archive-date=August 25, 2021|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20210825224455/http://skyscrapercenter.info/building/787-seventh-avenue/1118}}</ref><ref name="Berenholtz Reynolds 1988 p.">{{cite book |last1=Berenholtz |first1=Richard |title=Manhattan architecture |last2=Reynolds |first2=Donald M. |date=1988 |publisher=Prentice Hall Press |isbn=0-13-551987-X |publication-place=New York |page=110 |oclc=17732386}}</ref> for the Equitable Life Assurance Society.<ref name="aia5" /><ref name="Stern (2006) p. 625">{{harvnb|Stern|Fishman|Tilove|2006|ps=.|p=625}}</ref> The building is {{Convert|752|ft}} tall<ref name="Emporis" /><ref name="The Skyscraper Center 2016" /> with 54 stories.<ref name="Stern (2006) p. 625" /><ref name="Emporis" /><ref name="Berenholtz Reynolds 1988 p." /><ref name="nyt19860209">{{Cite news|last=Hinds|first=Michael Decourcy|date=February 9, 1986|title=Equitable Seeks Park Ave. Rents On Seventh Ave.|language=en-US|work=The New York Times|url=https://www.nytimes.com/1986/02/09/realestate/equitable-seeks-park-ave-rents-on-seventh-ave.html|access-date=August 25, 2021|issn=0362-4331|archive-date=August 25, 2021|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20210825232506/https://www.nytimes.com/1986/02/09/realestate/equitable-seeks-park-ave-rents-on-seventh-ave.html|url-status=live}}</ref>{{efn|The Skyscraper Center and the New York City Department of City Planning cite the structure as having 51 stories, counting the multi-story rooftop penthouse as one story.<ref name="ZoLa"/><ref name="The Skyscraper Center 2016" />}} Severud Associates was the structural engineer and Turner Construction was the main contractor.<ref name="The Skyscraper Center 2016" /> The structure uses {{Convert|300000|ft2}} of stone and {{Convert|28000|ST|LT t}} of steel.<ref name="p134890836" /> Rather than dictate the precise style for the building, Equitable CEO John B. Carter had requested only that Barnes create "a top-quality building".<ref name=":2" /> Nonetheless, Carter had specific requests for several of the interior spaces.<ref name=":2">{{Cite news|last=Giovannini|first=Joseph|date=January 20, 1985|title=The Grand Reach of Corporate Architecture|language=en-US|work=The New York Times|url=https://www.nytimes.com/1985/01/20/business/the-grand-reach-of-corporate-architecture.html|access-date=August 27, 2021|issn=0362-4331|archive-date=August 27, 2021|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20210827213725/https://www.nytimes.com/1985/01/20/business/the-grand-reach-of-corporate-architecture.html|url-status=live}}</ref>
For Equitable Tower's construction, Equitable acquired $7 million<ref name="Reynolds p. 173">{{harvnb|Reynolds|1994|ps=.|p=173}}</ref> or $7.5 million worth of artwork to display in both public and private spaces.<ref name="nyt19840921" /><ref name="PA 1986-05">{{cite magazine|date=May 1986|title=Equitable: Art for All|url=https://usmodernist.org/PA/PA-1986-05.pdf|journal=Progressive Architecture|volume=77|pages=25–26|access-date=August 28, 2021|archive-date=August 27, 2021|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20210827182326/https://usmodernist.org/PA/PA-1986-05.pdf|url-status=live}}</ref> The work includes large murals by Sol LeWitt and Roy Lichtenstein and sculptures by Scott Burton and Barry Flanagan.<ref name="Berenholtz Reynolds 1988 p." /><ref name="nyt19860209" /> In addition, works by Milton Avery, George Bellows, James E. Buttersworth, Marsden Hartley, and Alex Katz decorated the offices.<ref name="nyt19860209" /> Some works, such as a mobile by Alexander Calder and the bronze sculpture ''Day'' by Paul Manship, were already in Equitable's art collection when Equitable Tower was built.<ref name="nyt19840921">{{Cite news|last=Gottlieb|first=Martin|date=September 21, 1984|title=Equitable Life Will Mix Art and Commerce|language=en-US|work=The New York Times|url=https://www.nytimes.com/1984/09/21/nyregion/equitable-life-will-mix-art-and-commerce.html|access-date=August 26, 2021|issn=0362-4331|archive-date=August 26, 2021|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20210826144327/https://www.nytimes.com/1984/09/21/nyregion/equitable-life-will-mix-art-and-commerce.html|url-status=live}}</ref> Equitable hired several experts, including art consultant Emily Braun, to assist in arranging the artwork.<ref name="nyt19870201">{{Cite news|last=Scardino|first=Albert|date=February 1, 1987|title=Marketing Real Estate With Art|language=en-US|work=The New York Times|url=https://www.nytimes.com/1987/02/01/business/marketing-real-estate-with-art-426887.html|access-date=August 27, 2021|issn=0362-4331|archive-date=August 27, 2021|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20210827182315/https://www.nytimes.com/1987/02/01/business/marketing-real-estate-with-art-426887.html|url-status=live}}</ref> Equitable publications referred to 787 Seventh Avenue, along with 1285 Sixth Avenue, as "one square block of art".<ref name="Kimball">{{cite web|last=Kimball|first=Roger|date=November 1986|title=Art & architecture at the Equitable Center|url=https://newcriterion.com/issues/1986/11/art-architecture-at-the-equitable-center|access-date=August 27, 2021|website=The New Criterion|archive-date=August 27, 2021|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20210827153528/https://newcriterion.com/issues/1986/11/art-architecture-at-the-equitable-center|url-status=live}}</ref>
===Form and facade=== thumb|Facade detail
The entire building is set back {{Convert|10|ft}} from the street on each side.<ref name="Reynolds p. 172" /><ref name="Stern (2006) p. 626" /> A public galleria runs from north to south, dividing the lowest six floors of the building. The seventh and eighth stories span the north and south ends of the galleria. The north and south elevations rise with three setbacks, while the west and east elevations rise without setbacks.<ref name="Stern (2006) p. 626" /><ref name="Emporis" /> The setbacks on the north and south elevations are placed at the 12th, 34th, and 50th stories, with each setback being {{convert|14|ft}} deep. Barnes intended for the setbacks to recall those on 30 Rockefeller Plaza and the International Building, two of Rockefeller Center's tallest buildings.<ref name="Reynolds p. 172" /> One of the early plans for Axa Equitable Center, which was illustrated in a monograph of Barnes's work, was for the massing to instead contain setbacks on the west and east, with the north and south elevations rising as a slab-like wall from the street. In a subsequent iteration of the plans, Barnes had planned deep porches at the setbacks.<ref name="Stern (2006) p. 628">{{harvnb|Stern|Fishman|Tilove|2006|ps=.|p=628}}</ref>
The facade is made of limestone, granite, and glass.<ref name="Berenholtz Reynolds 1988 p." /><ref name="Žaknić Smith Rice Council on Tall Buildings and Urban Habitat p." /> The Indiana limestone and Brazilian granite on the facade<ref name="Žaknić Smith Rice Council on Tall Buildings and Urban Habitat p.">{{cite book |last1=Žaknić |first1=Ivan |title=100 of the world's tallest buildings |last2=Smith |first2=Matthew |last3=Rice |first3=Dolores B. |author4=Council on Tall Buildings and Urban Habitat |date=1998 |publisher=Gingko Press |isbn=3-927258-60-1 |publication-place=Corte Madera, CA |page=66 |oclc=40110184}}</ref> is applied in a two-tone pattern.<ref name="Reynolds p. 172" /><ref name="Stern (2006) p. 626" /><ref name="Emporis" /> The vertical pilasters are clad with reddish-brown granite, which is also used for some horizontal bands just below each setback. The pilasters divide the facades into horizontal spandrel bands of buff-colored limestone, which alternate with glass windows on each floor.<ref name="Reynolds p. 172" /><ref name="Stern (2006) p. 626" /><ref name="nyt19860209" /> Barnes had used these materials because they harmonized with the colors and materials used on the neighboring buildings.<ref name="Reynolds p. 172" /> Axa Equitable Center uses 5,800 panes of glass on its facade.<ref name="p134890836" />
The main entrance on Seventh Avenue is set within a semicircular-headed arch measuring {{Convert|72|ft}} tall.<ref name="nyt19860220">{{Cite news |last=Goldberger |first=Paul |date=February 20, 1986 |title=An Appraisal; Equitable's New Tower: a Curious Ambivalence |language=en-US |work=The New York Times |url=https://www.nytimes.com/1986/02/20/nyregion/an-appraisal-equitable-s-new-tower-a-curious-ambivalence.html |url-status=live |access-date=August 27, 2021 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20210827015322/https://www.nytimes.com/1986/02/20/nyregion/an-appraisal-equitable-s-new-tower-a-curious-ambivalence.html |archive-date=August 27, 2021 |issn=0362-4331}}</ref><ref name="p219203495">{{cite magazine |last=Reilly |first=Patrick |date=February 24, 1986 |title=Equitable Complex Dazzles With Both Dollars and Sense |volume=2 |issue=7 |page=3 |id={{ProQuest|219203495}} |magazine=Crain's New York Business}}</ref> There is a loading dock at the eastern end of the 52nd Street elevation.<ref name="CWP p. 4">{{harvnb|Premier CommonWealth Partners|2016|ps=.|p=4}}</ref> There are double-height mechanical spaces at each setback. These double-height floors contain recessed windows to give the impression that the red pilasters are massive piers; the recessed windows were inspired by those in Art Deco buildings. The recessed windows on the double-height floors also wrap around to the west and east elevations.<ref name="Reynolds pp. 172-173">{{harvnb|Reynolds|1994|ps=.|pp=172–173}}</ref> The topmost penthouse is embellished with large triumphal-arched windows on its west and east elevations, which illuminate the Equitable boardrooms.<ref name="Emporis" /><ref name="Reynolds p. 173" /> The boardroom windows measure {{Convert|42|ft}} in diameter<ref name="Stern (2006) pp. 626-628">{{harvnb|Stern|Fishman|Tilove|2006|ps=.|pp=626–628}}</ref> and {{Convert|53|ft}} tall.<ref name="Berenholtz Reynolds 1988 p." /> While the original plan had been to use ocular windows, Barnes instead used triumphal arches because they allowed more light to enter the boardroom spaces.<ref name="Reynolds p. 173" />
=== Galleria and concourse === At the middle of the city block is the galleria from 51st to 52nd Street. It is one of six passageways that form 6½ Avenue, a set of full-block passageways from 51st to 57th Street between Sixth and Seventh Avenues.<ref name="Stern (2006) p. 625" /><ref name="Untapped New York 2013">{{cite web|date=February 28, 2013|title=Midtown Arcades: 6 1/2 Avenue and other POPS|url=https://untappedcities.com/2013/02/28/midtown-arcades-pops/|access-date=August 26, 2021|website=Untapped New York|archive-date=August 25, 2021|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20210825142944/https://untappedcities.com/2013/02/28/midtown-arcades-pops/|url-status=live}}</ref> The passageway was built as a "through-block connection" under the Special Midtown District, created in 1982.<ref name="Stern (2006) p. 625" /> The space measures {{Convert|45|ft}} wide and {{Convert|91|ft}} tall underneath the north and south ends, where the seventh and eighth floors cross the galleria.<ref name="Stern (2006) p. 629">{{harvnb|Stern|Fishman|Tilove|2006|ps=.|p=629}}</ref> The center of the space, beneath the skylights, is {{Convert|124|ft}} tall.<ref name="nyt19840921" /> Burton designed outdoor seating for the galleria.<ref name="PA 1986-05" /> On the galleria's eastern wall is a passageway to 1285 Sixth Avenue's lobby,<ref name="Berenholtz Reynolds 1988 p." /><ref name="ID 1987-09">{{cite magazine |last=Cooper |first=Jerry |date=Sep 1987 |title=At Equitable Center |url=http://link.gale.com/apps/doc/A4467272/ITOF?u=wikipedia&sid=bookmark-ITOF&xid=081ab36b |url-status=live |volume=57 |page=254 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20210903215749/https://go.gale.com/ps/i.do?p=ITOF&u=wikipedia&id=GALE%7CA4467272&v=2.1&it=r&sid=bookmark-ITOF&asid=081ab36b |archive-date=September 3, 2021 |access-date=September 3, 2021 |journal=Interior Design}}</ref> which originally connected with the Paine Webber Art Gallery in that building.<ref>{{Cite news |last=McGill |first=Douglas C. |date=April 26, 1987 |title=Spaces and Places |language=en-US |work=The New York Times |url=https://www.nytimes.com/1987/04/26/magazine/spaces-and-places-245887.html |url-status=live |access-date=August 27, 2021 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20210827213724/https://www.nytimes.com/1987/04/26/magazine/spaces-and-places-245887.html |archive-date=August 27, 2021 |issn=0362-4331}}</ref><ref name="Reynolds p. 171">{{harvnb|Reynolds|1994|ps=.|p=171}}</ref> The lobbies of 1285 Sixth Avenue and Equitable Center measured a combined {{convert|800|ft}} long.<ref name="Reynolds p. 171" /> An elevator lobby for the First National Bank of Chicago, just east of the galleria, contained Agnes Denes's artwork ''Hypersphere: The Earth in the Shape of the Universe'', a set of 144 glass panels.<ref name="Equitable Gallery p. 9" /><ref name="Reynolds p. 181">{{harvnb|Reynolds|1994|ps=.|p=181}}</ref>
LeWitt commissioned a set of six geometric artworks for the walls of the galleria entitled ''Wall Drawing: Bands of Lines in Four Colors and Four Directions, Separated by Gray Bands''.<ref name="Equitable Gallery p. 6, 9">{{harvnb|Equitable Gallery|1986|ps=.|pp=6, 9}}</ref><ref name="Artwalks">{{cite book|last1=Harrison|first1=Marina|url=https://archive.org/details/artwalksnewyorkd00harr|title=Artwalks in New York : delightful discoveries of public art and gardens in Manhattan, Brooklyn, Queens, the Bronx, and Staten Island|last2=Rosenfeld|first2=Lucy D.|publisher=New York University Press|year=2004|isbn=978-0-8147-3661-6|pages=[https://archive.org/details/artwalksnewyorkd00harr/ 134]|oclc=58842196|url-access=limited}}</ref> As the name indicates, LeWitt's artwork consists of vertical, horizontal, and diagonal bands in four colors,<ref name="Equitable Gallery p. 6, 9" /><ref>{{Cite news|last=Vogel|first=Carol|date=July 4, 2013|title=Sol LeWitt Wall Drawing Will Unfurl in Uptown Manhattan|language=en-US|work=The New York Times|url=https://www.nytimes.com/2013/07/05/arts/design/sol-lewitt-wall-drawing-will-unfurl-in-uptown-manhattan.html|access-date=August 27, 2021|issn=0362-4331|archive-date=August 19, 2017|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20170819233935/http://www.nytimes.com/2013/07/05/arts/design/sol-lewitt-wall-drawing-will-unfurl-in-uptown-manhattan.html|url-status=live}}</ref> created in acrylic paint on limestone.<ref name="Equitable Gallery p. 6, 9" /><ref name="nyt19850514">{{Cite news|last=McGill|first=Douglas C.|date=May 14, 1985|title=Art Complex Planned in New Tower|language=en-US|work=The New York Times|url=https://www.nytimes.com/1985/05/14/arts/art-complex-planned-in-new-tower.html|access-date=August 27, 2021|issn=0362-4331|archive-date=August 27, 2021|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20210827015325/https://www.nytimes.com/1985/05/14/arts/art-complex-planned-in-new-tower.html|url-status=live}}</ref> These works, which are up to {{Convert|106|ft}} high, are illuminated by natural light coming through the rooftop skylights.<ref name="p219203495" /> In addition, Flanagan designed two bronze sculptures at the galleria's north and south ends, each depicting animals in whimsical scenes.<ref name="p219203495" /><ref name="Equitable Gallery p. 9">{{harvnb|Equitable Gallery|1986|ps=.|p=9}}</ref><ref name="Kayden 2016">{{cite web|last=Kayden|first=Jerold S.|date=March 31, 2016|title=1285 Sixth Avenue|url=https://apops.mas.org/pops/m050037/|access-date=August 27, 2021|website=Privately Owned Public Space (APOPS)|archive-date=August 27, 2021|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20210827182317/https://apops.mas.org/pops/m050037/|url-status=live}}</ref> The north end contains ''Young Elephant'' (1986),<ref name="Equitable Gallery p. 9" /><ref>{{Cite web|title=CultureNOW – Young Elephant: Barry Flanagan|url=https://culturenow.org/entry&permalink=01641&seo=Young-Elephant_Barry-Flanagan|access-date=August 27, 2021|website=culturenow.org|archive-date=August 27, 2021|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20210827172900/https://culturenow.org/entry%26permalink%3D01641%26seo%3DYoung-Elephant_Barry-Flanagan|url-status=live}}</ref> while the south end contains ''Hare on Bell'' (1985).<ref name="Equitable Gallery p. 9" /><ref>{{Cite web|title=CultureNOW – Hare on Bell: Barry Flanagan|url=https://culturenow.org/entry&permalink=02762&seo=Hare-on-Bell_Barry-Flanagan|access-date=August 27, 2021|website=culturenow.org|archive-date=August 27, 2021|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20210827172901/https://culturenow.org/entry%26permalink%3D02762%26seo%3DHare-on-Bell_Barry-Flanagan|url-status=live}}</ref>
Two escalators lead from the galleria to Axa Center's public basement concourse.<ref name="Žaknić Smith Rice Council on Tall Buildings and Urban Habitat p." /><ref name="Kayden 2016" /><ref name="PA 1983-05">{{cite magazine|date=May 1983|title=Equitable Tower West, New York, N.Y.|url=https://usmodernist.org/PA/PA-1983-05.pdf|url-status=live|journal=Progressive Architecture|volume=64|pages=50|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20210827172859/https://usmodernist.org/PA/PA-1983-05.pdf|archive-date=August 27, 2021|access-date=August 28, 2021}}</ref> The escalators are placed within a glass enclosure containing a gold-colored frame.<ref name="Kayden 2016" /> The basement concourse is connected to Rockefeller Center's underground concourse,<ref name="Berenholtz Reynolds 1988 p." /> which in turn provides a connection to the New York City Subway's 47th–50th Streets–Rockefeller Center station.<ref name="nyt19860209" /><ref name="Reynolds p. 171" /><ref name="n84174483">{{Cite news|last=Moritz|first=Owen|date=February 18, 1983|title=It's Assurance For the W. Side|pages=23|work=New York Daily News|via=newspapers.com|url=https://www.newspapers.com/clip/84174483/its-assurance-for-the-w-side/|access-date=August 26, 2021|archive-date=August 26, 2021|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20210826161625/https://www.newspapers.com/clip/84174483/its-assurance-for-the-w-side/|url-status=live}}</ref> Axa Center's basement concourse also contains the Athletic & Swim Club,<ref>{{Cite news|last=Kaufman|first=Joanne|date=May 30, 2003|title=My Manhattan; A Wet, Nonalcoholic Addiction|language=en-US|work=The New York Times|url=https://www.nytimes.com/2003/05/30/arts/my-manhattan-a-wet-nonalcoholic-addiction.html|access-date=August 28, 2021|issn=0362-4331|archive-date=August 28, 2021|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20210828233328/https://www.nytimes.com/2003/05/30/arts/my-manhattan-a-wet-nonalcoholic-addiction.html|url-status=live}}</ref> which has a fitness center and a small swimming pool.<ref name="CWP p. 9">{{harvnb|Premier CommonWealth Partners|2016|ps=.|p=9}}</ref><ref name="ClubCorp">{{cite web|title=Athletic & Swim Club at Equitable Center – New York, NY|url=https://www.clubcorp.com/clubs/the-athletic-swim-club-at-equitable-center/|access-date=August 26, 2021|website=ClubCorp|archive-date=August 26, 2021|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20210826181637/https://www.clubcorp.com/clubs/the-athletic-swim-club-at-equitable-center/|url-status=live}}</ref> Valerie Jaudon had created a mural for the swimming pool's wall, measuring {{convert|72|by|12|ft}}.<ref name="Reynolds pp. 179-180">{{harvnb|Reynolds|1994|ps=.|pp=179–180}}</ref>
===Interior=== Axa Center contains {{Convert|1740000|ft2}} of interior space.<ref name="Stern (2006) p. 625" /> According to the New York City Department of City Planning, the building has a gross floor area of {{convert|1,633,544|ft2|m2}}.<ref name="ZoLa"/> Equitable was allowed to include an additional {{Convert|49161|ft2}} in exchange for providing privately owned public space.<ref name="n84143444">{{Cite news|last=Shepard|first=Joan|date=February 12, 1986|title=Art tower opened in Big Apple|pages=452|work=New York Daily News|via=newspapers.com|url=https://www.newspapers.com/clip/84143444/art-tower-opened-in-big-apple/|access-date=August 25, 2021|archive-date=August 26, 2021|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20210826001924/https://www.newspapers.com/clip/84143444/art-tower-opened-in-big-apple/|url-status=live}}</ref> The steel superstructure contains two-story outrigger trusses wrapping around the 11th and 36th stories, which transfer the structural loads and absorb the wind loads at each of the setbacks. Belt trusses connect the outrigger trusses to the building's structural core. The roof is surrounded by a hat truss, behind which is mechanical equipment.<ref name="Žaknić Smith Rice Council on Tall Buildings and Urban Habitat p." />
From the beginning, 787 Seventh Avenue contained several "smart" building systems, such as high-capacity fiber optic cables and conduits, as well as a computerized display to monitor energy use, security, and elevators. The "smart" systems cost $2 to $4 million, though that cost also included a retrofit of 1285 Sixth Avenue.<ref>{{Cite news |last=Schreiber |first=Paul |date=February 17, 1986 |title=Smart Buildings: Hype or Hot Idea? |pages=119, [https://www.newspapers.com/clip/84206523/smart-buildings/ 129] |work=Newsday |url=https://www.newspapers.com/clip/84206339/smart-buildings-hype-or-hot-idea/ |url-status=live |access-date=August 27, 2021 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20210827004511/https://www.newspapers.com/clip/84206339/smart-buildings-hype-or-hot-idea/ |archive-date=August 27, 2021 |via=newspapers.com}}</ref> The building is internally connected to 1285 Sixth Avenue at the ground floor, concourse, and first eight stories. The 787 Seventh Avenue building was known as Equitable Center West or Equitable Tower, while the 1285 Sixth Avenue building was known as Equitable Center East. The two structures were initially known collectively as the "Equitable Center".<ref name="nyt19860209" />
==== Atrium and lobby ==== thumb|Main entrance on Seventh Avenue Leading from Seventh Avenue is a five-story atrium, which serves as the main lobby.<ref name="p134884011">{{cite news|date=February 18, 1983|title=Equitable Life Plans $175 Million Building In Midtown New York|page=2|work=Wall Street Journal|issn=0099-9660|id={{ProQuest|134884011}}}}</ref><ref name="nyt19830218">{{Cite news|last=Dunlap|first=David W.|date=February 18, 1983|title=Equitable Life to Build 7th Ave. Tower|language=en-US|work=The New York Times|url=https://www.nytimes.com/1983/02/18/nyregion/equitable-life-to-build-7th-ave-tower.html|access-date=August 26, 2021|issn=0362-4331|archive-date=August 26, 2021|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20210826161625/https://www.nytimes.com/1983/02/18/nyregion/equitable-life-to-build-7th-ave-tower.html|url-status=live}}</ref> The atrium is an {{Convert|80|ft|adj=on}} cube.<ref name="nyt19860209" /><ref name="PA 1986-05" /> Its large size is in part due to a commercial holdout who did not leave the site until construction had already started.<ref name="nyt19860209" /> At the center of the atrium, Burton designed ''Atrium Furnishment'', which consists of a {{Convert|40|ft|4=-wide|adj=mid}} marble semicircular banquette and a circular marble fountain with trees.<ref name="nyt19860209" /><ref name="Reynolds p. 173" /><ref name="PA 1986-05" /><ref name="Equitable Gallery p. 4">{{harvnb|Equitable Gallery|1986|ps=.|p=4}}</ref> Though the atrium in general has a white marble floor, ''Atrium Furnishment'' is surrounded by red granite pavers, which were intended to provide a contrast between the circular artwork and the cubical atrium.<ref name="p219203495" /><ref name="Equitable Gallery p. 4" /><ref name="Reynolds pp. 173-174">{{harvnb|Reynolds|1994|ps=.|pp=173–174}}</ref> A bronze band surrounds the artwork as well.<ref name="Reynolds pp. 173-174" /> On the eastern wall of the atrium, facing the main archway on Seventh Avenue,<ref name="p219203495" /><ref name="Equitable Gallery p. 8">{{harvnb|Equitable Gallery|1986|ps=.|p=8}}</ref><ref name="Reynolds p. 174">{{harvnb|Reynolds|1994|ps=.|p=174}}</ref> is a Lichtenstein artwork, ''Mural with Blue Brushstroke'', which measures {{Convert|68|by|32|ft}}.<ref name="Reynolds p. 174" /><ref name="Martorella 1990 p.">{{cite book|last=Martorella|first=Rosanne|title=Corporate art|publisher=Rutgers University Press|year=1990|isbn=978-0-8135-1525-0|publication-place=New Brunswick|page=110|oclc=20353374}}</ref><ref>{{cite book|last=Lichtenstein|first=Roy|title=Roy Lichtenstein : inside, outside|publisher=Museum of Contemporary Art|year=2001|isbn=978-1-888708-13-4|publication-place=Miami|page=15|language=de|oclc=49380368}}</ref> Lichtenstein had painted the mural on-site in 1986.<ref name="Equitable Gallery p. 4" /><ref name="Waldman1993">{{cite book|author=Waldman|first=Diane|url=https://archive.org/details/roylich00wald|title=Roy Lichtenstein|date=1993|publisher=Solomon R. Guggenheim Museum|isbn=0-89207-108-7|chapter=Murals, 1964–93}}</ref>
A pair of parallel passageways leads east from the atrium to the galleria, each originally decorated with a separate artwork.<ref name="p219203495" /><ref name="Equitable Gallery p. 8" /> Thomas Hart Benton's ''America Today'' murals, commissioned in 1931, were originally installed in the northern passageway,<ref name="Equitable Gallery p. 8" /><ref name="Reynolds p. 176">{{harvnb|Reynolds|1994|ps=.|p=176}}</ref> around the elevator core.<ref name="nyt19840921" /><ref name="p219203495" /> The Benton murals were originally installed in the New School for Social Research,<ref name="Reynolds p. 177">{{harvnb|Reynolds|1994|ps=.|p=177}}</ref> and Equitable had acquired the Benton murals in 1984 for a reported $3.1 million.<ref>{{Cite news|last=Dunlap|first=David W.|date=February 14, 1984|title=Equitable Purchases Benton Mural 'America Today,' Keeping It in the City|language=en-US|work=The New York Times|url=https://www.nytimes.com/1984/02/14/nyregion/equitable-purchases-benton-mural-america-today-keeping-it-in-the-city.html|access-date=August 26, 2021|issn=0362-4331|archive-date=August 26, 2021|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20210826001924/https://www.nytimes.com/1984/02/14/nyregion/equitable-purchases-benton-mural-america-today-keeping-it-in-the-city.html|url-status=live}}</ref><ref name="Reynolds p. 179">{{harvnb|Reynolds|1994|ps=.|p=179}}</ref> The murals were relocated to 1290 Sixth Avenue in the mid-1990s.<ref name="Stern (2006) p. 630">{{harvnb|Stern|Fishman|Tilove|2006|ps=.|p=630}}</ref> The southern passageway of the lobby<ref name="Equitable Gallery p. 8" /> has a niche, which contains Paul Manship's sculpture ''Day''.<ref name="p219203495" /><ref name="Equitable Gallery p. 6">{{harvnb|Equitable Gallery|1986|ps=.|p=6}}</ref> Manship had crafted ''Day'' in 1938 as part of a set of four bronze works called ''The Moods of Time''.<ref name="Equitable Gallery p. 6" />
==== Retail and restaurants ==== A branch of the Whitney Museum of American Art occupied space in two storefront galleries from 1986<ref name="nyt19860209" /><ref name="n84143444" /> to 1992.<ref name="Cole">{{cite web|last=Cole|first=Lori|title=AXA Gallery|url=https://nymag.com/listings/attraction/axa-gallery/|url-status=live|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20210827153527/https://nymag.com/listings/attraction/axa-gallery/|archive-date=August 27, 2021|access-date=August 27, 2021|website=New York Magazine}}</ref><ref>{{Cite news|last=Vogel|first=Carol|date=October 12, 2007|title=With Altria Leaving, Whitney Loses Branch|language=en-US|work=The New York Times|url=https://www.nytimes.com/2007/10/12/arts/design/12voge.html|url-status=live|access-date=August 27, 2021|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20210827155031/https://www.nytimes.com/2007/10/12/arts/design/12voge.html|archive-date=August 27, 2021|issn=0362-4331}}</ref> There was a north gallery for permanent works and a south gallery for temporary exhibitions.<ref name="nyt19840921" /><ref name="Equitable Gallery p. 2">{{harvnb|Equitable Gallery|1986|ps=.|p=2}}</ref> The Equitable Tower location, the largest of the Whitney's four branches at the time, occupied {{Convert|3000|ft2}} in each gallery.<ref name="nyt19840921" /><ref name="n84143444" /> As part of the arrangement, Equitable gave money to the Whitney and paid the branch's operating expenses for six years.<ref>{{Cite news|last=Glueck|first=Grace|date=June 9, 1985|title=Gallery View; Are the Whitney's Satellite Museums on the Right Course?|language=en-US|work=The New York Times|url=https://www.nytimes.com/1985/06/09/arts/gallery-view-are-the-whitney-s-satellite-museums-on-the-right-course.html|access-date=August 27, 2021|issn=0362-4331|archive-date=August 27, 2021|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20210827010012/https://www.nytimes.com/1985/06/09/arts/gallery-view-are-the-whitney-s-satellite-museums-on-the-right-course.html|url-status=live}}</ref> After the Whitney branch closed, its space became the Equitable Gallery.<ref name="nyt19921009">{{Cite news|last=Cotter|first=Holland|date=October 9, 1992|title=Art in Review|language=en-US|work=The New York Times|url=https://www.nytimes.com/1992/10/09/arts/art-in-review-490492.html|access-date=August 28, 2021|issn=0362-4331|archive-date=August 28, 2021|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20210828174326/https://www.nytimes.com/1992/10/09/arts/art-in-review-490492.html|url-status=live}}</ref> Another tenant was the Cathedral of St. John the Divine, which operated two stores with souvenirs from the city's museums.<ref>{{Cite news|last=Louie|first=Elaine|date=June 19, 1986|title=Shops for a Cathedral|language=en-US|work=The New York Times|url=https://www.nytimes.com/1986/06/19/garden/home-beat-shops-for-a-cathedral.html|access-date=August 26, 2021|issn=0362-4331|archive-date=August 26, 2021|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20210826183054/https://www.nytimes.com/1986/06/19/garden/home-beat-shops-for-a-cathedral.html|url-status=live}}</ref> The Urbanspace food hall has also operated at ground level since 2020.<ref name="Warerkar 2020">{{cite web|last=Warerkar|first=Tanay|date=January 8, 2020|title=Midtown Gets a New Food Hall Today With Sandwich Legend Eisenberg's|url=https://ny.eater.com/2020/1/8/21052007/urbanspace-food-hall-midtown-west-nyc-open|access-date=August 26, 2021|website=Eater NY|archive-date=August 26, 2021|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20210826181634/https://ny.eater.com/2020/1/8/21052007/urbanspace-food-hall-midtown-west-nyc-open|url-status=live}}</ref>
From the building's opening in early 1986, Equitable officials wanted to operate what ''Newsday'' described as "nothing but the best of restaurants".<ref>{{Cite news|date=February 7, 1986|title=Inside New York|pages=6|work=Newsday|via=newspapers.com|url=https://www.newspapers.com/clip/84255491/inside-new-york/|access-date=August 27, 2021|archive-date=August 28, 2021|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20210828015019/https://www.newspapers.com/clip/84255491/inside-new-york/|url-status=live}}</ref> Initially, there was an Italian restaurant called Palio and a French restaurant called Le Bernardin.<ref name="nyt19860209" /><ref name="Stern (2006) p. 1069">{{harvnb|Stern|Fishman|Tilove|2006|ps=.|p=1069}}</ref> Palio's ground-floor bar measured {{Convert|30|by|30|ft|adj=}}, with a {{Convert|24|ft|4=-tall|adj=mid}} ceiling,<ref name="ID 1987-09" /><ref name="Stern (2006) p. 1069" /> and its second floor contained a dining room.<ref name="Stern (2006) p. 629" /> The former bar room's walls still contain a mural by Sandro Chia entitled ''Palio'', which depicts the Palio di Siena horse race.<ref name="p219203495" /><ref name="Equitable Gallery p. 9" /><ref name="nyt20020303">{{Cite news|last=Ekman|first=Ivar|date=March 3, 2002|title=Neighborhood Report: Midtown; A Restaurant Says Ciao, but a Mural Is Forever|language=en-US|work=The New York Times|url=https://www.nytimes.com/2002/03/03/nyregion/neighborhood-report-midtown-a-restaurant-says-ciao-but-a-mural-is-forever.html|access-date=August 27, 2021|issn=0362-4331|archive-date=August 27, 2021|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20210827172859/https://www.nytimes.com/2002/03/03/nyregion/neighborhood-report-midtown-a-restaurant-says-ciao-but-a-mural-is-forever.html|url-status=live}}</ref><ref name="Reynolds p. 180">{{harvnb|Reynolds|1994|ps=.|p=180}}</ref> Le Bernardin, a Michelin-starred restaurant,<ref>{{cite web|title=NYC Michelin Guide 2011|url=http://www.michelinguide.com/us/nyc_stars_2011.html|url-status=dead|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20110925152408/http://www.michelinguide.com/us/nyc_stars_2011.html|archive-date=September 25, 2011|access-date=February 6, 2013|publisher=Michelinguide.com}}</ref> occupies a less architecturally elaborate space, originally decorated with velvet upholstery.<ref name="Stern (2006) p. 1069" /><ref name="ID 1987-10">{{cite magazine|last=Cooper|first=Jerry|date=Sep 1987|title=Le Bernardin: Philip George designs a bastion of haute cuisine|url=http://link.gale.com/apps/doc/A5281401/ITOF?u=wikipedia&sid=bookmark-ITOF&xid=7eac8356|journal=Interior Design|volume=57|page=308|access-date=September 3, 2021|archive-date=September 3, 2021|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20210903215749/https://go.gale.com/ps/i.do?p=ITOF&u=wikipedia&id=GALE%7CA5281401&v=2.1&it=r&sid=bookmark-ITOF&asid=7eac8356|url-status=live}}</ref> A third restaurant, the American grill Sam's Restaurant, opened in late 1987.<ref name="p110692752">{{cite news|last=Miller|first=Bryan|date=December 18, 1987|title=Restaurants: All-American grill near the theaters|page=C32|work=The New York Times|issn=0362-4331|id={{ProQuest|110692752}}}}</ref> While Le Bernardin continued to operate in the building in the 2010s,<ref name="Platt 2019">{{cite web|last=Platt|first=Adam|date=October 9, 2019|title=The Absolute Best Upscale Seafood Restaurants in New York|url=https://www.grubstreet.com/bestofnewyork/best-seafood-restaurants-nyc.html|access-date=August 27, 2021|website=Grub Street|archive-date=August 16, 2021|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20210816021312/https://www.grubstreet.com/bestofnewyork/best-seafood-restaurants-nyc.html|url-status=live}}</ref> the old Palio space has operated as the Aldo Sohm Wine Bar since 2014.<ref>{{Cite news|last=Fabricant|first=Florence|date=September 2, 2014|title=A Tip Sheet for a Season of Surprises|language=en-US|work=The New York Times|url=https://www.nytimes.com/2014/09/03/dining/restaurant-list-the-seasons-newcomers.html|access-date=August 27, 2021|issn=0362-4331|archive-date=August 28, 2021|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20210828015020/https://www.nytimes.com/2014/09/03/dining/restaurant-list-the-seasons-newcomers.html|url-status=live}}</ref> Meanwhile, Sam's was replaced by Judson Grill and then Bar Americain.<ref>{{Cite news|date=October 19, 2017|title=Bobby Flay Will Close Bar Americain in Midtown|language=en-US|work=The New York Times|url=https://www.nytimes.com/2017/10/19/dining/bar-americain-closing.html|access-date=August 28, 2021|issn=0362-4331|archive-date=August 28, 2021|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20210828233328/https://www.nytimes.com/2017/10/19/dining/bar-americain-closing.html|url-status=live}}</ref>
==== Other stories ==== The building has 31 passenger elevators, as well as three freight elevators and two vehicular elevators.<ref name="CWP p. 3">{{harvnb|Premier CommonWealth Partners|2016|ps=.|p=3}}</ref> Twenty-six of the passenger elevators lead from the lobby to the upper floors. Four of these elevators run from the lobby to floors 2 through 9; eight elevators serve floors 9 through 23; six elevators serve floors 23 through 33; and eight elevators serve floors 34 through 50. There are also two elevators in the annex, serving the lobby through floor 8; another elevator connecting the lobby to the subcellar; and two elevators connecting the Axa Equitable auditorium to the lobby.<ref name="CWP p. 4" />
A broadcast studio and auditorium were also designed for the building.<ref name="nyt19960211">{{Cite news|last=Deutsch|first=Claudia H.|date=February 11, 1996|title=Commercial Property/Equitable Life's Switch;A Short Move, but to a Wholly Different Mindset|language=en-US|work=The New York Times|url=https://www.nytimes.com/1996/02/11/realestate/commercial-property-equitable-life-s-switch-short-move-but-wholly-different.html|access-date=August 28, 2021|issn=0362-4331|archive-date=August 28, 2021|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20210828023405/https://www.nytimes.com/1996/02/11/realestate/commercial-property-equitable-life-s-switch-short-move-but-wholly-different.html|url-status=live}}</ref> The Equitable auditorium has 487,<ref name="CWP p. 9" /> 495,<ref name="Reynolds p. 173" /> or 500 seats,<ref name="Žaknić Smith Rice Council on Tall Buildings and Urban Habitat p." /> accessed from a staircase from the atrium.<ref name="Reynolds p. 173" /> The auditorium has been used for several major corporate events, including the announcement of a merger between IBM and Lotus Development, as well as the merger announcement of Kimberly-Clark and Scott Paper Company.<ref name="nyt19960211" /> It has also been used for musical performances, such as a jazz performance by Roy Nathanson in 1990,<ref>{{Cite news|last=Pareles|first=Jon|date=June 24, 1990|title=Jazz Festival; The Jazz Passengers on a Trip Beyond Hard Bop|language=en-US|work=The New York Times|url=https://www.nytimes.com/1990/06/24/arts/jazz-festival-the-jazz-passengers-on-a-trip-beyond-hard-bop.html|access-date=August 28, 2021|issn=0362-4331|archive-date=August 28, 2021|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20210828023405/https://www.nytimes.com/1990/06/24/arts/jazz-festival-the-jazz-passengers-on-a-trip-beyond-hard-bop.html|url-status=live}}</ref> and for film premieres, such as for the film ''The Housemaid'' in 2025.<ref>{{Cite web |last=Tinoco |first=Armando |date=December 3, 2025 |title='The Housemaid' Premiere Red Carpet Photos: Sydney Sweeney, Amanda Seyfried & More |url=https://deadline.com/gallery/the-housemaid-premiere-red-carpet-photos/ |access-date=2025-12-18 |website=Deadline |language=en-US}}</ref>
Equitable officials had their own private bathrooms as well as Chippendale furniture.<ref name="n84255974">{{Cite news|last=Brenner|first=Lynn|date=June 16, 1991|title=An Equitable Solution|pages=74, [https://www.newspapers.com/clip/84266918/equitable/ 66]|work=Newsday|via=newspapers.com|url=https://www.newspapers.com/clip/84255974/an-equitable-solution/|access-date=August 27, 2021|archive-date=August 28, 2021|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20210828015020/https://www.newspapers.com/clip/84255974/an-equitable-solution/|url-status=live}}</ref> The 49th and 50th floors comprised Equitable's executive suite and were connected by a stair.<ref name="Stern (2006) p. 629" /> The 49th floor was designed with 14 dining rooms, each with works from a different artists.<ref name="nyt19850514" /><ref name="n84251421">{{Cite news|last=Shepard|first=Joan|date=May 14, 1985|title=Equitable Life unveils plans for art in the city|pages=111|work=New York Daily News|via=newspapers.com|url=https://www.newspapers.com/clip/84251421/equitable-life-unveils-plans-for-art-in/|access-date=August 27, 2021|archive-date=August 27, 2021|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20210827213725/https://www.newspapers.com/clip/84251421/equitable-life-unveils-plans-for-art-in/|url-status=live}}</ref> The dining rooms range from a small accommodation, with one table and four chairs, to a dining hall with a baby grand piano, sofas, and a fireplace.<ref name="p219203495" /> There were two executive rooms at the 50th story: one facing east and the other facing west.<ref name="Stern (2006) pp. 626-628" /><ref name="PA 1983-05" /> The rooms had classical-inspired moldings, large woodwork, and custom furnishings designed by Kohn Pedersen Fox Conway.<ref name="Reynolds p. 172" /><ref name="Kimball" /><ref name="Stern (2006) p. 629" /> The western room, which served as Equitable's main boardroom, was originally designed with a green carpet with a large circular table. The eastern room had Equitable's main dining room and contained ''Triptych'', a trio of landscapes by Brad Davis.<ref name="Kimball" />
==History== Equitable Holdings (originally the Equitable Life Assurance Society) had constructed several structures in New York City since the late 19th century,<ref name="Stern (2006) pp. 625-626">{{harvnb|Stern|Fishman|Tilove|2006|ps=.|pp=625–626}}</ref> as well as several across the United States.<ref name="nyt19960211" /> The first New York City office was the Equitable Life Building on 120 Broadway in Lower Manhattan, completed in 1870.<ref name="Buley p. 29">{{cite book|last=Buley|first=R.C.|url=https://babel.hathitrust.org/cgi/pt?id=mdp.39015017364897&view=1up&seq=13|title=The Equitable Life Assurance Society of the United States: One Hundredth Anniversary History, 1859/1959|publisher=Appleton-Century-Crofts|year=1959|pages=29|issue=v. 2|access-date=August 28, 2021|archive-date=August 25, 2021|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20210825230146/https://babel.hathitrust.org/cgi/pt?id=mdp.39015017364897&view=1up&seq=13|url-status=live}}</ref><ref name="amNewYork 2014">{{cite web|last=Salazar|first=Christian|date=December 12, 2014|title=NYC skyscrapers: 17 things you may not know|url=https://www.amny.com/real-estate/nyc-skyscrapers-17-things-you-may-not-know-about-the-city-s-tallest-buildings-1-9708920/|access-date=May 7, 2020|website=amNewYork|archive-date=August 19, 2020|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20200819175633/https://www.amny.com/real-estate/nyc-skyscrapers-17-things-you-may-not-know-about-the-city-s-tallest-buildings-1-9708920/|url-status=live}}</ref><ref name="Reynolds p. 170">{{harvnb|Reynolds|1994|ps=.|p=170}}</ref> The Equitable Life Building was destroyed by a fire in 1912<ref>{{cite magazine|date=January 18, 1912|title=The Burning of the Equitable Building in New York City|url=https://books.google.com/books?id=YeMRAQAAMAAJ&pg=PA119|journal=Engineering News|volume=67|pages=119–120|access-date=February 4, 2012}}</ref> and replaced by the current Equitable Building at 120 Broadway.<ref>{{cite news|date=April 26, 1915|title=Equitable Life Company Moves to New Building|page=3|work=Brooklyn Times-Union|url=https://www.newspapers.com/clip/50819741/|access-date=April 24, 2020|via=newspapers.com|archive-date=September 3, 2021|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20210903215749/https://www.newspapers.com/clip/50819741/equitable-life-company-moves-to-new/|url-status=live}}</ref><ref name="Reynolds p. 170" /> Equitable Life moved to 393 Seventh Avenue (now 11 Penn Plaza) in 1924,<ref>{{cite magazine|year=1924|title=Equitable Agents Meet|url=https://books.google.com/books?id=3fkgAQAAMAAJ&pg=RA7-PA19|journal=The Spectator|publisher=C.D. Lakey and J.H. Goodsell|issue=v. 113|page=19|access-date=August 28, 2021|archive-date=August 25, 2021|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20210825224817/https://books.google.com/books?id=3fkgAQAAMAAJ&pg=RA7-PA19|url-status=live}}</ref> and it moved to 1281 Sixth Avenue in 1961.<ref>{{Cite news|last=MacGregor|first=Greg|date=September 25, 1961|title=Equitable Opens Its New Building; At Midtown Dedication It Is Praised by Wagner|language=en-US|work=The New York Times|url=https://www.nytimes.com/1961/09/25/archives/equitable-opens-its-new-building-at-midtown-dedication-it-is.html|access-date=May 13, 2020|issn=0362-4331|archive-date=November 3, 2020|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20201103115737/https://www.nytimes.com/1961/09/25/archives/equitable-opens-its-new-building-at-midtown-dedication-it-is.html|url-status=live}}</ref> Equitable had occupied all {{Convert|1.8|e6ft2}} in its Sixth Avenue building for over twenty years. However, by the 1980s, it was looking to move decentralize its New York City office.<ref name="nyt19960211" /><ref name="p216005094">{{cite magazine|last=Leibson|first=Beth|date=Sep 1991|title=Fix-It Doran Picks Up Equitable's Pieces|volume=10|issue=9|pages=48|id={{ProQuest|216005094}}|magazine=Facilities Design & Management}}</ref> The company split into four major divisions, of which only one, Equitable Capital, remained in the Sixth Avenue building.<ref name="nyt19960211" /> At the time, office space in Midtown Manhattan was in high demand and Equitable felt it could lease its Sixth Avenue building at a great profit.<ref name="p216005094" />
=== Development === thumb|Interior of midblock galleria|left After considering relocating elsewhere in the United States,<ref name="nyt19830218" /> Equitable planned to expand its Sixth Avenue headquarters by 1980.<ref>{{Cite news|date=October 5, 1980|title=Realty News; Equitable Life Considers Building a Tower Lexington Avenue Lower Manhattan Montvale, N.J.|language=en-US|work=The New York Times|url=https://www.nytimes.com/1980/10/05/archives/realty-news-equitable-life-considers-building-a-tower-lexington.html|access-date=August 25, 2021|issn=0362-4331|archive-date=August 25, 2021|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20210825232507/https://www.nytimes.com/1980/10/05/archives/realty-news-equitable-life-considers-building-a-tower-lexington.html|url-status=live}}</ref> Over the next year, it acquired an adjacent L-shaped site extending to Seventh Avenue, measuring {{Convert|67000|ft2}}. Except for a small plot on the corner of Seventh Avenue and 52nd Street, Equitable had control of the entire city block.<ref name="n84141995">{{Cite news|last1=White|first1=James A.|last2=Smith|first2=Randy|date=March 25, 1981|title=Equitable Life to build tower on 7th Ave.|pages=308|work=New York Daily News|via=newspapers.com|url=https://www.newspapers.com/clip/84141995/equitable-life-to-build-tower-on-7th/|access-date=August 25, 2021|archive-date=August 25, 2021|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20210825232507/https://www.newspapers.com/clip/84141995/equitable-life-to-build-tower-on-7th/|url-status=live}}</ref> Equitable first announced its intention, in March 1981, to construct a tower on the newly acquired Seventh Avenue site.<ref name="n84141995" /> Demolition of existing buildings, such as the Victoria and Abbey hotels, began soon after.<ref name="nyt19820627" /> General contractor Turner Construction performed the demolitions manually, even though it had the city government's permission to use dynamite, since it wished to minimize disruption to neighboring structures. During one demolition in 1982, a steel beam fell through the roof of a nearby deli.<ref name="p134890836">{{cite news|last=Lipman|first=Joanne|date=February 16, 1984|title=Manhattan Towers Rest on Foundation Of Nerve and Timing: Construction Workers Find Space and Tempers Short|page=1|work=Wall Street Journal|issn=0099-9660|id={{ProQuest|134890836}}}}</ref>
Equitable's board officially approved plans in February 1983 to move its headquarters to a Seventh Avenue building.<ref name="p134884011" /><ref name="nyt19830218" /><ref name="n84174483" /> Edward Larrabee Barnes was hired as the architect.<ref name="AR 1983-05">{{cite magazine|date=May 1983|title=East side, west side ...|url=https://usmodernist.org/AR/AR-1983-05.pdf|url-status=live|journal=Architectural Record|volume=171|pages=55|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20210827015324/https://usmodernist.org/AR/AR-1983-05.pdf|archive-date=August 27, 2021|access-date=August 28, 2021}}</ref><ref name="PA 1983-05" /> Equitable's new tower was one of several high-rise developments planned for the area at the time,<ref>{{Cite news|last=Gottlieb|first=Martin|date=December 4, 1983|title=Developers Looking West of Sixth Avenue|language=en-US|work=The New York Times|url=https://www.nytimes.com/1983/12/04/realestate/developers-looking-west-of-sixth-avenue.html|access-date=August 19, 2021|issn=0362-4331|archive-date=August 19, 2021|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20210819224129/https://www.nytimes.com/1983/12/04/realestate/developers-looking-west-of-sixth-avenue.html|url-status=live}}</ref><ref>{{Cite news|last=Moritz|first=Owen|date=May 4, 1986|title=It's a not-so-grand canyon|pages=12|work=New York Daily News|url=https://www.newspapers.com/clip/83948949/its-a-not-so-grand-canyon/|access-date=August 22, 2021|via=newspapers.com|archive-date=August 22, 2021|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20210822222333/https://www.newspapers.com/clip/83948949/its-a-not-so-grand-canyon/|url-status=live}}</ref> in spite of a slight decline in New York City's office market.<ref name="p122169127">{{cite news|last=Henry|first=Diane|date=15 May 1983|title=New York Office Market Softens a Bit, But Is Still Among Nation's Strongest|page=632|work=The New York Times|issn=0362-4331|id={{ProQuest|122169127}}}}</ref> Equitable planned to sell its Sixth Avenue headquarters to get a tax deduction on the new building.<ref name="p134884011" /> The old Sixth Avenue structure would be partially occupied by Paine Webber.<ref>{{Cite news|date=November 30, 1983|title=About Real Estate; Paine Webber to Move Into Rockefeller Center Area|language=en-US|work=The New York Times|url=https://www.nytimes.com/1983/11/30/business/about-real-estate-paine-webber-to-move-into-rockefeller-center-area.html|access-date=August 26, 2021|issn=0362-4331|archive-date=August 26, 2021|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20210826161626/https://www.nytimes.com/1983/11/30/business/about-real-estate-paine-webber-to-move-into-rockefeller-center-area.html|url-status=live}}</ref> Equitable officials were not worried about the fact that Seventh Avenue was not a prestigious executive address. This was a contrast to two decades earlier, when officials had thought Sixth Avenue was "more like Speakeasy Row than Corporate Corridor".<ref name="nyt19960211" />
While much of the building was to be completed by 1985, the section at the corner of Seventh Avenue and 52nd Street was occupied by an eight-story building and would be delayed.<ref name="nyt19830218" /> Construction of Equitable Tower had to be closely coordinated to avoid delays or disruptions, since even a one-month delay in completion would cost Equitable $6 million in rent and $3 million in construction loans. Work was complicated by the fact that traffic on the neighboring streets could not be disrupted during construction. On two sides of the construction site, there was only {{Convert|10|to|12|ft}} of space within which builders could work, and there was no space for materials to be stored on site.<ref name="p134890836" /> Equitable president John B. Carter announced in May 1985 that a series of artworks would be commissioned for the building.<ref name="nyt19850514" /><ref name="n84251421" /> During construction that July, a construction hoist fell from Equitable Tower and killed two workers.<ref>{{Cite news|last=Dowd|first=Maureen|date=July 19, 1985|title=Construction Hoist Topples and 2 Workers Are Killed|language=en-US|work=The New York Times|url=https://www.nytimes.com/1985/07/19/nyregion/construction-hoist-topples-and-2-workers-are-killed.html|access-date=August 27, 2021|issn=0362-4331|archive-date=August 27, 2021|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20210827182314/https://www.nytimes.com/1985/07/19/nyregion/construction-hoist-topples-and-2-workers-are-killed.html|url-status=live}}</ref><ref>{{Cite news|last=Grandy|first=Frances|date=July 19, 1985|title=2 Killed in Accident At Construction Site|pages=23|work=Newsday|via=newspapers.com|url=https://www.newspapers.com/clip/84251311/2-killed-in-accident-at-construction/|access-date=August 27, 2021|archive-date=August 27, 2021|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20210827213721/https://www.newspapers.com/clip/84251311/2-killed-in-accident-at-construction/|url-status=live}}</ref>
=== Opening and early years === thumb|Northwest corner of the building, seen from 52nd Street and Seventh Avenue By early 1986, Equitable had finished the atrium, galleria, plazas, and lobby, as well as a branch of the Whitney Museum. The company had taken the top third of the building and expected to rent out the remaining stories at a rate of {{Convert|40|to|50|$/ft2}}, a higher rate than at nearby office buildings. At the time, there were few tenants for the west tower's vacant space, and Equitable was marketing both the west and east towers as part of the same complex.<ref name="nyt19860209" /> The building ultimately cost $200 million to construct.<ref name=":0" /> A public preview of the new tower's boardrooms took place on February 1, 1986, as part of a benefit event for the Center for Arts Information.<ref>{{Cite news|last1=Anderson|first1=Susan Heller|last2=Bird|first2=David|date=February 1, 1986|title=New York Day by Day; Preview of a Tower|language=en-US|work=The New York Times|url=https://www.nytimes.com/1986/02/01/nyregion/new-york-day-by-day-preview-of-a-tower.html|access-date=August 26, 2021|issn=0362-4331|archive-date=August 26, 2021|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20210826183052/https://www.nytimes.com/1986/02/01/nyregion/new-york-day-by-day-preview-of-a-tower.html|url-status=live}}</ref> The Whitney branch opened on February 11, 1986.<ref name="n84143444" /> Douglas McGill of ''The New York Times'' called the Whitney branch the "latest and largest addition to an extensive collaboration between a major art museum and the corporate world."<ref name=":0">{{Cite news|last=McGill|first=Douglas C.|date=January 27, 1986|title=New Midtown Branch for Whitney|language=en-US|work=The New York Times|url=https://www.nytimes.com/1986/01/27/arts/new-midtown-branch-for-whitney.html|access-date=August 26, 2021|issn=0362-4331|archive-date=August 26, 2021|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20210826181635/https://www.nytimes.com/1986/01/27/arts/new-midtown-branch-for-whitney.html|url-status=live}}</ref>
The building was technically owned by Equitable Real Estate Investment Management, which leased space to Equitable for its own corporate offices.<ref name="p216005094" /> Within a year of Equitable Tower's opening, eighty percent of the space had been leased.<ref name="nyt19870201" /> Among the tenants were arts organizations American Council for the Arts, Center for Arts Information, and Volunteer Lawyers for the Arts, which were offered below-market-rate rents.<ref>{{Cite news|last=McGill|first=Douglas C.|date=December 11, 1987|title=Art People|language=en-US|work=The New York Times|url=https://www.nytimes.com/1987/12/11/arts/art-people.html|access-date=August 26, 2021|issn=0362-4331|archive-date=August 26, 2021|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20210826181633/https://www.nytimes.com/1987/12/11/arts/art-people.html|url-status=live}}</ref> In addition, accounting firm Ernst & Whinney (later Ernst & Young) took space in the tower.<ref>{{Cite news|last=DePalma|first=Anthony|date=December 7, 1986|title=In a New Tower, a Waiting Rental Strategy Works|language=en-US|work=The New York Times|url=https://www.nytimes.com/1986/12/07/realestate/in-a-new-tower-a-waiting-rental-strategy-works.html|access-date=August 27, 2021|issn=0362-4331|archive-date=August 27, 2021|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20210827213723/https://www.nytimes.com/1986/12/07/realestate/in-a-new-tower-a-waiting-rental-strategy-works.html|url-status=live}}</ref> By October 1987, when Black Monday occurred, Equitable Tower was fully leased despite charging higher rents per square foot than other buildings in the area.<ref name="nyt19960211" /> The American grill Sam's Restaurant opened at ground level at the end of that year.<ref name="p110692752" />
=== 1990s and 2000s === By 1990, Equitable was in the process of being acquired by the French company Axa.<ref name="n84255974" /> Within two years, Equitable had gone public and downsized most of its employees, leaving only 2,200 working at 787 Seventh Avenue.<ref name="nyt19960211" /> The company was considering leaving for the suburbs, given the high costs of occupying office space in midtown, but ultimately decided against it.<ref>{{Cite news|last=Lueck|first=Thomas J.|date=August 9, 1994|title=2 Companies Look to Leave Manhattan|language=en-US|work=The New York Times|url=https://www.nytimes.com/1994/08/09/nyregion/2-companies-look-to-leave-manhattan.html|access-date=August 27, 2021|issn=0362-4331|archive-date=August 28, 2021|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20210828015019/https://www.nytimes.com/1994/08/09/nyregion/2-companies-look-to-leave-manhattan.html|url-status=live}}</ref><ref name="p219146563">{{cite magazine|last=Grant|first=Peter|date=January 9, 1995|title=Equitable tilts toward staying in city|volume=11|issue=2|page=4|id={{ProQuest|219146563}}|magazine=Crain's New York Business}}</ref> The Whitney branch in Equitable Tower closed in 1992, when its original agreement expired,<ref>{{Cite news|last=Vogel|first=Carol|date=October 30, 1992|title=The Art Market|language=en-US|work=The New York Times|url=https://www.nytimes.com/1992/10/30/arts/the-art-market.html|access-date=August 27, 2021|issn=0362-4331|archive-date=August 27, 2021|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20210827153526/https://www.nytimes.com/1992/10/30/arts/the-art-market.html|url-status=live}}</ref> and it was replaced by an art gallery called the Equitable Gallery.<ref name="Stern (2006) p. 630" /><ref name="nyt19921009" /> Sam's Restaurant closed the next year,<ref>{{Cite news|last=Fabricant|first=Florence|date=December 10, 1993|title=Diner's Journal; The Equitable Sweepstakes|language=en-US|work=The New York Times|url=https://www.nytimes.com/1993/12/10/arts/diner-s-journal-the-equitable-sweepstakes.html|access-date=August 27, 2021|issn=0362-4331|archive-date=August 27, 2021|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20210827213721/https://www.nytimes.com/1993/12/10/arts/diner-s-journal-the-equitable-sweepstakes.html|url-status=live}}</ref> being replaced by another American grill, Judson Grill, in early 1994.<ref>{{Cite news|last=Reichl|first=Ruth|date=February 25, 1994|title=Diner's Journal|language=en-US|work=The New York Times|url=https://www.nytimes.com/1994/02/25/arts/diner-s-journal.html|access-date=August 28, 2021|issn=0362-4331|archive-date=August 28, 2021|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20210828233329/https://www.nytimes.com/1994/02/25/arts/diner-s-journal.html|url-status=live}}</ref><ref>{{Cite news|last=Schwartz|first=Arthur|date=March 4, 1994|title=Judson's Judgment Day|pages=536|work=New York Daily News|via=newspapers.com|url=https://www.newspapers.com/clip/84317263/judsons-judgment-day/|access-date=August 28, 2021|archive-date=August 28, 2021|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20210828233328/https://www.newspapers.com/clip/84317263/judsons-judgment-day/|url-status=live}}</ref>
Equitable only occupied ten percent of 787 Seventh Avenue by early 1995, when it placed {{Convert|300,000|ft2}} of space for lease.<ref name="nyt19950726">{{Cite news|last=Slatin|first=Peter|date=July 26, 1995|title=Real Estate; The Equitable is expected to leave its building for a move across the Avenue of the Americas.|language=en-US|work=The New York Times|url=https://www.nytimes.com/1995/07/26/business/real-estate-the-equitable-is-expected-to-leave-its-building-for-a.html|access-date=August 27, 2021|issn=0362-4331|archive-date=August 27, 2021|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20210827182326/https://www.nytimes.com/1995/07/26/business/real-estate-the-equitable-is-expected-to-leave-its-building-for-a.html|url-status=live}}</ref> That year, Equitable announced it would be moving one block east to 1290 Sixth Avenue,<ref name="nyt19950726" /><ref>{{Cite news|last=Grant|first=Peter|date=September 8, 1995|title=Equitable staying put, thanks to 9M tax deal|pages=1445|work=New York Daily News|via=newspapers.com|url=https://www.newspapers.com/clip/84317347/equitable-staying-put-thanks-to-9m-tax/|access-date=August 28, 2021|archive-date=August 28, 2021|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20210828233329/https://www.newspapers.com/clip/84317347/equitable-staying-put-thanks-to-9m-tax/|url-status=live}}</ref><ref name="p216020873">{{cite magazine|last=Miller|first=Craig|date=Apr 1999|title=Substance over style|volume=18|issue=4|pages=24–29|id={{ProQuest|216020873}}|magazine=Facilities Design & Management}}</ref> with only the highest-ranking executives remaining at 787 Seventh Avenue.<ref>{{Cite news|last=Grant|first=Peter|date=February 13, 1996|title=Exiting Equitable|pages=21|work=New York Daily News|via=newspapers.com|url=https://www.newspapers.com/clip/84297225/exiting-equitable/|access-date=August 28, 2021|archive-date=August 28, 2021|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20210828180614/https://www.newspapers.com/clip/84297225/exiting-equitable/|url-status=live}}</ref> Much of Equitable's space at 787 Seventh Avenue was taken by law firm Willkie Farr & Gallagher,<ref>{{Cite news|last=Deutsch|first=Claudia H.|date=December 31, 1995|title=Commercial Property/Top 10 Deals;New York City Holds Its Own Against the Suburbs|language=en-US|work=The New York Times|url=https://www.nytimes.com/1995/12/31/realestate/commercial-property-top-10-deals-new-york-city-holds-its-own-against-the-suburbs.html|access-date=August 28, 2021|issn=0362-4331|archive-date=August 28, 2021|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20210828023403/https://www.nytimes.com/1995/12/31/realestate/commercial-property-top-10-deals-new-york-city-holds-its-own-against-the-suburbs.html|url-status=live}}</ref> and the floor just below the penthouse was occupied by Paramount Capital.<ref name="p430693509">{{cite news|last=Rothstein|first=Mervyn|date=November 13, 1996|title=As Swiss Re prepares to head to Westchester, a big unit makes a commitment to Manhattan.|page=19|work=The New York Times|issn=0362-4331|id={{ProQuest|430693509}}}}</ref> With Equitable's relocation, the ''America Today'' murals were moved to 1290 Sixth Avenue.<ref name="Stern (2006) p. 630" /><ref>{{Cite news|last=Vogel|first=Carol|date=September 22, 1995|title=Inside Art|language=en-US|work=The New York Times|url=https://www.nytimes.com/1995/09/22/arts/inside-art.html|access-date=August 28, 2021|issn=0362-4331|archive-date=August 28, 2021|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20210828180613/https://www.nytimes.com/1995/09/22/arts/inside-art.html|url-status=live}}</ref> In the late 1990s, David Emil planned to open a restaurant called Night Sky on the 50th floor,<ref>{{Cite news|last=Fabricant|first=Florence|date=June 16, 1999|title=Off the Menu|language=en-US|work=The New York Times|url=https://www.nytimes.com/1999/06/16/dining/off-the-menu.html|access-date=August 28, 2021|issn=0362-4331|archive-date=August 28, 2021|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20210828030924/https://www.nytimes.com/1999/06/16/dining/off-the-menu.html|url-status=live}}</ref> but it was canceled after Equitable wished to lease that floor as offices.<ref>{{Cite news|last=Fabricant|first=Florence|date=May 17, 2000|title=Off the Menu|language=en-US|work=The New York Times|url=https://www.nytimes.com/2000/05/17/dining/off-the-menu.html|access-date=August 28, 2021|issn=0362-4331|archive-date=August 28, 2021|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20210828024906/https://www.nytimes.com/2000/05/17/dining/off-the-menu.html|url-status=live}}</ref> The 1997 chess match of Deep Blue versus Garry Kasparov, in which IBM supercomputer Deep Blue defeated world chess champion Garry Kasparov, took place at Equitable Center as well.<ref name="McPHEE Baker Siemaszko 2015">{{cite web|last1=McPhee|first1=Michele|last2=Baker|first2=K.C.|last3=Siemaszko|first3=Corky|date=2015-05-10|title=Deep Blue, IBM's supercomputer, defeats chess champion Garry Kasparov in 1997|url=https://www.nydailynews.com/news/world/kasparov-deep-blues-losingchess-champ-rooke-article-1.762264|access-date=2021-08-29|website=New York Daily News|archive-date=August 29, 2021|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20210829000707/https://www.nydailynews.com/news/world/kasparov-deep-blues-losingchess-champ-rooke-article-1.762264|url-status=live}}</ref><ref>{{Cite news|last=Weber|first=Bruce|date=1997-05-12|title=Swift and Slashing, Computer Topples Kasparov|language=en-US|work=The New York Times|url=https://www.nytimes.com/1997/05/12/nyregion/swift-and-slashing-computer-topples-kasparov.html|access-date=2021-08-29|issn=0362-4331|archive-date=August 29, 2013|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20130829211033/http://www.nytimes.com/1997/05/12/nyregion/swift-and-slashing-computer-topples-kasparov.html|url-status=live}}</ref>
By 2000, the building's tenants included Bank One, BNP Paribas, Hicks Muse, and Willkie Farr & Gallagher. About a third of the total space, {{Convert|500,000|ft2}}, was set to become available for lease in 2002 when Ernst & Young's lease expired.<ref name="n84268818">{{Cite news|last=Herman|first=Eric|date=December 8, 2000|title=Banking on 787 Seventh|pages=1271|work=New York Daily News|via=newspapers.com|url=https://www.newspapers.com/clip/84268818/banking-on-787-seventh/|access-date=August 28, 2021|archive-date=August 28, 2021|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20210828023405/https://www.newspapers.com/clip/84268818/banking-on-787-seventh/|url-status=live}}</ref> Much of Ernst & Young's space was taken in 2001 by law firm Sidley Austin,<ref name="p2074374300">{{cite news|date=December 4, 2001|title=Law Firm Sidley Austin Plans Move to Midtown|page=B6|work=Wall Street Journal|issn=0099-9660|id={{ProQuest|2074374300}}}}</ref> which had to renovate 11 floors within two months after its old World Trade Center offices were destroyed in the September 11 attacks.<ref>{{Cite news|last=Schwartz|first=John|date=July 5, 2002|title=In Re 9/11: Law Firm Moves On, Still Recovering|language=en-US|work=The New York Times|url=https://www.nytimes.com/2002/07/05/business/in-re-9-11-law-firm-moves-on-still-recovering.html|access-date=August 28, 2021|issn=0362-4331|archive-date=August 28, 2021|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20210828023403/https://www.nytimes.com/2002/07/05/business/in-re-9-11-law-firm-moves-on-still-recovering.html|url-status=live}}</ref> Another lessee that had been displaced from the World Trade Center was investment banking firm Keefe, Bruyette & Woods, which borrowed space from BNP Paribas and Wachtell, Lipton, Rosen & Katz before leasing its own fourth-floor space.<ref>{{Cite news|last=Wax|first=Alan J.|date=November 15, 2001|title=Investment Banking Firm Leases in Midtown Tower|pages=67|work=Newsday|via=newspapers.com|url=https://www.newspapers.com/clip/84269409/investment-banking-firm-leases-in/|access-date=August 28, 2021|archive-date=August 28, 2021|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20210828023404/https://www.newspapers.com/clip/84269409/investment-banking-firm-leases-in/|url-status=live}}</ref> The Palio restaurant closed in 2002,<ref name="nyt20020303" /> and Judson Grill closed two years later;<ref>{{Cite news|last=Fabricant|first=Florence|date=July 3, 2004|title=Judson Grill, Midtown Fixture For 10 Years, Closes Its Doors|language=en-US|work=The New York Times|url=https://www.nytimes.com/2004/07/03/nyregion/judson-grill-midtown-fixture-for-10-years-closes-its-doors.html|access-date=August 27, 2021|issn=0362-4331|archive-date=August 27, 2021|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20210827213721/https://www.nytimes.com/2004/07/03/nyregion/judson-grill-midtown-fixture-for-10-years-closes-its-doors.html|url-status=live}}</ref> the latter was replaced by Bar Americain.<ref>{{Cite news|last=Hamilton|first=William L.|date=April 24, 2005|title=A Real Drinking Bar|language=en-US|work=The New York Times|url=https://www.nytimes.com/2005/04/24/fashion/sundaystyles/a-real-drinking-bar.html|access-date=August 28, 2021|issn=0362-4331|archive-date=August 28, 2021|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20210828233328/https://www.nytimes.com/2005/04/24/fashion/sundaystyles/a-real-drinking-bar.html|url-status=live}}</ref> Citigroup leased a major block of space, covering {{Convert|250000|ft2}}, in late 2005,<ref name="p216503004">{{cite magazine|date=Nov–Dec 2005|title=Citigroup Breaks More Ground In Long Island City|journal=|volume=24|issue=10|pages=6|id={{ProQuest|216503004}}|magazine=Real Estate New York}}</ref> including the 50th-floor penthouse.<ref name=":1">{{Cite web|date=March 13, 2019|title=787 Seventh Avenue|url=https://therealdeal.com/new-research/topics/property/787-seventh-avenue/|url-status=live|access-date=August 28, 2021|website=TRD Research|archive-date=August 28, 2021|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20210828233328/https://therealdeal.com/new-research/topics/property/787-seventh-avenue/}}</ref> Other tenants in the 2000s included investment manager New Mountain Capital<ref>{{Cite web|date=February 5, 2019|title=Asset manager New Mountain Capital inks 100K sf lease in Midtown|url=https://therealdeal.com/2019/02/05/asset-manager-new-mountain-capital-inks-100k-sf-lease-in-midtown/|url-status=live|access-date=August 28, 2021|website=The Real Deal New York|language=en-US|archive-date=August 28, 2021|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20210828233328/https://therealdeal.com/2019/02/05/asset-manager-new-mountain-capital-inks-100k-sf-lease-in-midtown/}}</ref> as well as IT company SAS Institute.<ref name=":1" />
=== 2010s to present === thumb|Upper stories as viewed from street level
Palio's space became part of Piano Due, which closed in 2011<ref name="Barkan 2011">{{cite web|last=Barkan|first=Ross|date=August 19, 2011|title=Open and Closed: Say Hello to The Cardinal, Goodbye to Bar Carrera|url=https://www.villagevoice.com/2011/08/19/open-and-closed-say-hello-to-the-cardinal-goodbye-to-bar-carrera/|access-date=August 27, 2021|website=The Village Voice|archive-date=August 27, 2021|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20210827015324/https://www.villagevoice.com/2011/08/19/open-and-closed-say-hello-to-the-cardinal-goodbye-to-bar-carrera/|url-status=dead}}</ref> and was replaced by the Aldo Sohm Wine Bar in 2014.<ref name="Ferst 2014">{{cite web|last=Ferst|first=Devra|date=September 3, 2014|title=Aldo Sohm Wine Bar Opened With Ceremony Last Night|url=https://ny.eater.com/2014/9/3/6162621/aldo-sohm-wine-bar-opened-with-ceremony-last-night|access-date=August 26, 2021|website=Eater NY|archive-date=August 26, 2021|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20210826181636/https://ny.eater.com/2014/9/3/6162621/aldo-sohm-wine-bar-opened-with-ceremony-last-night|url-status=live}}</ref><ref name="Casey 2014">{{cite web|last=Casey|first=Nell|date=September 16, 2014|title=Le Bernardin Opens Art-Filled Spinoff Aldo Sohm Wine Bar|url=https://gothamist.com/food/le-bernardin-opens-art-filled-spinoff-aldo-sohm-wine-bar|access-date=August 26, 2021|website=Gothamist|archive-date=August 26, 2021|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20210826181635/https://gothamist.com/food/le-bernardin-opens-art-filled-spinoff-aldo-sohm-wine-bar|url-status=live}}</ref> Axa Equitable placed 787 Seventh Avenue and 1285 Sixth Avenue for sale in August 2015.<ref name="Cornfield Cunningham Loria 2015">{{cite web|last1=Cornfield|first1=Greg|last2=Cunningham|first2=Cathy|last3=Loria|first3=Keith|date=August 20, 2015|title=AXA Puts Two Midtown Properties Worth $4 Billion on Market|url=https://commercialobserver.com/2015/08/axa-puts-two-midtown-properties-worth-4-billion-on-market/|access-date=August 26, 2021|website=Commercial Observer|archive-date=August 26, 2021|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20210826161626/https://commercialobserver.com/2015/08/axa-puts-two-midtown-properties-worth-4-billion-on-market/|url-status=live}}</ref><ref name="trd20150821">{{Cite web|date=August 21, 2015|title=AXA asking $4B for pair of Midtown office towers: report|url=https://therealdeal.com/2015/08/21/axa-asking-4b-for-two-midtown-office-towers-report/|access-date=August 26, 2021|website=The Real Deal New York|language=en-US|archive-date=August 26, 2021|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20210826161626/https://therealdeal.com/2015/08/21/axa-asking-4b-for-two-midtown-office-towers-report/|url-status=live}}</ref> At the time, 787 Seventh Avenue was almost completely occupied, with only 1.6 percent of the space vacant.<ref name="trd20150821" /> By the end of the year, the California Public Employees' Retirement System (CalPERS) had shown interest in acquiring 787 Seventh Avenue for $1.9 billion. This would make Axa Equitable Center one of the most expensive single buildings to ever be sold in New York City.<ref>{{Cite web|date=December 4, 2015|title=CalPERS to sign $1.9B contract for AXA's 787 Seventh|url=https://therealdeal.com/2015/12/04/calpers-to-sign-1-9b-contract-for-axas-787-seventh/|url-status=live|access-date=August 26, 2021|website=The Real Deal New York|language=en-US|archive-date=August 26, 2021|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20210826161628/https://therealdeal.com/2015/12/04/calpers-to-sign-1-9b-contract-for-axas-787-seventh/}}</ref> In February 2016, CalPERS announced it had purchased the building.<ref>{{Cite news|last=Kasler|first=Dale|date=February 10, 2016|title=CalPERS makes huge New York real estate deal|language=en-US|work=The Sacramento Bee|url=https://www.sacbee.com/news/business/article59314608.html|access-date=June 10, 2019|issn=0890-5738|archive-date=August 25, 2021|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20210825050143/https://www.sacbee.com/news/business/article59314608.html|url-status=live}}</ref><ref name="Commercial Property Executive 2016">{{cite web|date=February 11, 2016|title=CalPERS Pays Big Bucks for AXA Equitable Center in Manhattan|url=https://www.commercialsearch.com/news/calpers-pays-big-bucks-for-axa-equitable-center-in-manhattan/|access-date=August 26, 2021|website=Commercial Property Executive|archive-date=August 26, 2021|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20210826161627/https://www.commercialsearch.com/news/calpers-pays-big-bucks-for-axa-equitable-center-in-manhattan/|url-status=live}}</ref> The purchase was financed with a $780 million mortgage from Deutsche Bank.<ref>{{cite web|last1=Burke|first1=Mack|last2=Loria|first2=Keith|date=February 5, 2016|title=Deutsche Bank Finances CalPERS' Midtown Acquisition With $780M Loan|url=https://commercialobserver.com/2016/02/deutsche-bank-finances-calpers-midtown-acquisition-with-780m-mortgage/|access-date=August 27, 2021|website=Commercial Observer|archive-date=August 26, 2021|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20210826161746/https://commercialobserver.com/2016/02/deutsche-bank-finances-calpers-midtown-acquisition-with-780m-mortgage/|url-status=live}}</ref><ref>{{cite web|last=Boysen|first=Ryan|date=February 8, 2016|title=Deustche Loans CalPERS $780M For 787 Seventh Ave Acquisition|url=https://www.bisnow.com/new-york/news/commercial-real-estate/deustche-loans-calpers-780m-for-787-seventh-ave-acquisition-55649|access-date=August 27, 2021|website=Bisnow|archive-date=August 28, 2021|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20210828015022/https://www.bisnow.com/new-york/news/commercial-real-estate/deustche-loans-calpers-780m-for-787-seventh-ave-acquisition-55649|url-status=live}}</ref>
Bar Americain, at the building's ground floor, closed in 2018.<ref name="Upadhyaya 2018">{{cite web|last=Upadhyaya|first=Kayla Kumari|date=January 17, 2018|title=Bobby Flay Shutters Bar Americain in Midtown Today|url=https://ny.eater.com/2018/1/17/16901134/bobby-flay-bar-americain-midtown-closed|access-date=August 26, 2021|website=Eater NY|archive-date=August 26, 2021|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20210826181634/https://ny.eater.com/2018/1/17/16901134/bobby-flay-bar-americain-midtown-closed|url-status=live}}</ref> A helicopter crashed on Axa Equitable Center's roof on June 10, 2019, killing the pilot and sparking a fire that prompted the building's evacuation.<ref>{{Cite news|url=https://www.nytimes.com/2019/06/10/nyregion/helicopter-crash-nyc.html|title=Helicopter Crashes on Roof of Manhattan Building, Killing Pilot|last=Barron|first=James|date=June 10, 2019|work=The New York Times|access-date=June 10, 2019|language=en-US|issn=0362-4331|archive-date=June 11, 2019|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20190611130605/https://www.nytimes.com/2019/06/10/nyregion/helicopter-crash-nyc.html|url-status=live}}</ref><ref name="BBC News 2019">{{cite web|date=June 11, 2019|title=New York helicopter crash: Pilot killed in skyscraper collision|url=https://www.bbc.com/news/world-us-canada-48585041|access-date=August 25, 2021|website=BBC News|archive-date=June 11, 2019|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20190611155857/https://www.bbc.com/news/world-us-canada-48585041|url-status=live}}</ref> No one else was hurt in the crash, and the helicopter's wreckage was removed.<ref>{{cite web|date=June 13, 2019|title=Crews begin to remove helicopter wreckage from Midtown building in tricky operation|url=https://abc7ny.com/5343088/|access-date=August 28, 2021|website=ABC7 New York|archive-date=August 28, 2021|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20210828233328/https://abc7ny.com/5343088/|url-status=live}}</ref> The Urbanspace food hall opened at the ground level of Axa Equitable Center in early 2020.<ref name="Warerkar 2020" /><ref name="Lynch 2020">{{cite web|last=Lynch|first=Scott|date=January 8, 2020|title=Take A Look At The Sprawling New Urbanspace Food Hall In Midtown|url=https://gothamist.com/food/take-look-sprawling-new-urbanspace-food-hall-midtown|access-date=August 26, 2021|website=Gothamist|archive-date=August 26, 2021|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20210826181634/https://gothamist.com/food/take-look-sprawling-new-urbanspace-food-hall-midtown|url-status=live}}</ref> In 2022, following the COVID-19 pandemic in New York City, BNP Paribas renovated its offices at 787 Seventh Avenue to encourage workers to return to the firm's physical offices. In addition, a sign with the name "BNP Paribas" was installed above the Seventh Avenue entrance, replacing Equitable's name.<ref name="Bloomberg 2022">{{cite web | title=BNP Paribas to Lure NYC Workers Back With Redesigned Offices |first=Natalie |last=Wong | website=Bloomberg | date=2022-06-01 | url=https://www.bloomberg.com/news/articles/2022-06-01/bnp-paribas-to-lure-nyc-workers-back-with-redesigned-offices | access-date=2022-07-03}}</ref> Although 787 Seventh Avenue had an occupancy rate of 96 percent by early 2024, its value had declined by $123 million since the pandemic; at the time, the building was estimated to be worth $917 million. The reduced valuation reflected the fact that BNP Paribas had downsized its space at the building from {{convert|450000|to|300000|ft2}}, while the lease of another major tenant, UBS, was scheduled to expire in 2026.<ref name="Elstein 2024 c560">{{cite web | last=Elstein | first=Aaron | title=Posh Midtown office tower with 96% occupancy faces growing financial challenges | website=Crain's New York Business | date=February 12, 2024 | url=https://www.crainsnewyork.com/real-estate/axa-equitable-center-midtown-faces-growing-financial-challenges | access-date=February 13, 2024}}</ref><ref name="The Real Deal 2024 j720">{{cite web | title=CalPERS' 787 Seventh Avenue Loses $100M of Pre-Covid Value | website=The Real Deal | date=February 12, 2024 | url=https://therealdeal.com/new-york/2024/02/12/calpers-787-seventh-avenue-loses-100m-of-pre-covid-value/ | access-date=February 13, 2024}}</ref>
== Tenants ==
{{As of|2024}}, several financial and law firms occupy the space, including: * BNP Paribas, banking group<ref>{{cite web|last1=Young|first1=Celia|last2=Loria|first2=Keith|last3=Staropoli|first3=Anna|date=July 21, 2020|title=BNP Paribas Shrinks Columbus Circle Offices and Renews in Jersey City|url=https://commercialobserver.com/2020/07/bnp-paribas-shrinks-columbus-circle-offices-and-renews-in-jersey-city/|access-date=August 27, 2021|website=Commercial Observer|archive-date=August 26, 2021|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20210826161704/https://commercialobserver.com/2020/07/bnp-paribas-shrinks-columbus-circle-offices-and-renews-in-jersey-city/|url-status=live}}</ref> * Citigroup, investment bank<ref name="p219128656">{{cite magazine|last=Satow|first=Julie|date=May 8, 2006|title=Citi's Manhattan transfer|volume=22|issue=19|page=2|id={{ProQuest|219128656}}|magazine=Crain's New York Business}}</ref> * Sidley Austin, law firm<ref name="p2074374300" /> * Stifel, investment bank<ref name="Young Loria Staropoli 2017">{{cite web|last1=Young|first1=Celia|last2=Loria|first2=Keith|last3=Staropoli|first3=Anna|date=March 17, 2017|title=Stifel Subleases Two 23K SF Floors at 277 Park Avenue|url=https://commercialobserver.com/2017/03/stifel-subleases-two-floors-at-277-park-avenue/|access-date=August 28, 2021|website=Commercial Observer|archive-date=August 28, 2021|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20210828233328/https://commercialobserver.com/2017/03/stifel-subleases-two-floors-at-277-park-avenue/|url-status=live}}</ref> * UBS, investment bank<ref>{{Cite news|date=October 7, 2013|title=What's the Deal|language=en-US|work=Wall Street Journal|url=https://online.wsj.com/article/SB10001424052702304626104579119781608725734.html|access-date=August 28, 2021|issn=0099-9660|archive-date=October 7, 2013|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20131007190419/http://online.wsj.com/article/SB10001424052702304626104579119781608725734.html|url-status=live}}</ref> * Willkie Farr & Gallagher, law firm<ref name="nyt19960211" />
== Impact ==
=== Reception === The design of Equitable Tower was largely criticized upon its completion. Paul Goldberger called the building "54 stories of ambivalence", saying it "adds almost no grace to the skyline".<ref name="Stern (2006) p. 628" /><ref name="nyt19860220" /> ''Progressive Architecture'' was similarly critical of the "undistinguished quality" of the facade, saying: "Barnes's tower can't seem to make up its mind whether it's a Modern skyscraper or a Post-Modern one",<ref name="PA 1986-05" /> Roger Kimball of ''The New Criterion'' wrote: "Mr. Barnes seems to have abandoned any attempt at a cogent architectural design. Instead, he has contrived to produce one of the most pretentious and ungainly new buildings in New York."<ref name="Kimball" /><ref name="Stern (2006) p. 629" /> ''The New Criterion'' cited Equitable Tower's "large clunky base", its "replaceable"-looking granite and limestone facade, and its massive arches that "seem more like movie-set novelties" as flaws in the design.<ref name="Kimball" /> Suzanne Stephens said the criticism showed that Barnes was "more adept at chipping, chamfering and chiseling buildings with rotated geometries".<ref name="Stern (2006) pp. 628-629">{{harvnb|Stern|Fishman|Tilove|2006|ps=.|pp=628–629}}</ref><ref>{{cite magazine|last=Stephens|first=Suzanne|date=May 1986|title=An Equitable Relationship?|journal=Art in America|volume=74|pages=119<!--116-123-->}}</ref> By contrast, architectural writer Donald M. Reynolds said the building was "one of the largest and most comprehensive collaborations of architecture, urban planning, and public art since Rockefeller Center".<ref name="Reynolds p. 169" />
The artwork was received more positively by architectural and art critics.<ref name="Stern (2006) p. 629" /> ''The New York Times'' reported that the artwork was a "statement of [Equitable's] belief not only in the commercial and promotional value of art, but also in the role art can play in the quality of corporate and communal life".<ref name="nyt19860223">{{Cite news|last=Brenson|first=Michael|date=February 23, 1986|title=Art View; Museum and Corporation – a Delicate Balance|language=en-US|work=The New York Times|url=https://www.nytimes.com/1986/02/23/arts/art-view-museum-and-corporation-a-delicate-balance.html|access-date=August 27, 2021|issn=0362-4331|archive-date=August 27, 2021|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20210827172900/https://www.nytimes.com/1986/02/23/arts/art-view-museum-and-corporation-a-delicate-balance.html|url-status=live}}</ref> ''Progressive Architecture'' characterized the collection as "one of the more successful corporate art programs to come along in some time", as opposed to the "resolutely ho-hum" character of much of Equitable Tower.<ref name="PA 1986-05" /> Phaidon Press wrote of the art collection: "AXA Equitable Life Insurance wished to project a positive image of itself to New Yorkers—as progressive, leading edge and civic-minded, as demonstrated by this indisputable gift to the city."<ref name="Phaidon">{{cite web|title=How a corporate commission transfixed New Yorkers|url=https://www.phaidon.com/agenda/art/articles/2013/november/26/how-a-corporate-commission-transfixed-new-yorkers/|access-date=August 27, 2021|website=Phaidon|archive-date=August 27, 2021|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20210827172901/https://www.phaidon.com/agenda/art/articles/2013/november/26/how-a-corporate-commission-transfixed-new-yorkers/|url-status=dead}}</ref> Conversely, ''The New Criterion'' wrote that the collection was "not art but money", in that it was a showcase of Equitable's wealth rather than a display of art for its own sake.<ref name="Kimball" /> Goldberger thought that, even with the art and public spaces, the building "lacks a kind of freshness, as if everyone involved in this project were doing it by rote".<ref>{{Cite news|last=Goldberger|first=Paul|date=December 28, 1986|title=Architecture View; Developers Learned Some Lessons and Cut Back|language=en-US|work=The New York Times|url=https://www.nytimes.com/1986/12/28/arts/architecture-view-developers-learned-some-lessons-and-cut-back.html|access-date=August 27, 2021|issn=0362-4331|archive-date=August 27, 2021|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20210827213725/https://www.nytimes.com/1986/12/28/arts/architecture-view-developers-learned-some-lessons-and-cut-back.html|url-status=live}}</ref>
=== Influence on other developments === Equitable was the first major company to erect a headquarters on Seventh Avenue in Midtown.<ref name="Reynolds p. 169" /> At the time of its completion, the building was the only major office structure on Seventh Avenue.<ref name="p134884011" /><ref name="AR 1983-05" /> This led ''Architectural Record'' to say: "Equitable Life Assurance Society has heeded Horace Greeley's dictum, 'Go West', though not, to be sure, very far west."<ref name="AR 1983-05" /> According to Reynolds, the building's construction encouraged office development to move west from Sixth to Seventh Avenue, just as the construction of Rockefeller Center had encouraged a similar westward movement from Fifth to Sixth Avenue.<ref name="Reynolds p. 171" />
''Architectural Record'' described the building as having been proposed "amidst a swirl of controversy over what some see as an over-concentration of new skyscraper construction in Manhattan's crowded midtown".<ref name="AR 1983-05" /> Nonetheless, the development of Equitable Tower directly improved the character of the surrounding area, particularly the Midtown portion of Seventh Avenue, in the mid-1980s.<ref>{{Cite news |last=Purdum |first=Todd S. |date=December 30, 1984 |title=New Life for Former Tourist Landmark |language=en-US |work=The New York Times |url=https://www.nytimes.com/1984/12/30/realestate/new-life-for-former-tourist-landmark.html |url-status=live |access-date=August 26, 2021 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20210826183056/https://www.nytimes.com/1984/12/30/realestate/new-life-for-former-tourist-landmark.html |archive-date=August 26, 2021 |issn=0362-4331}}</ref><ref name="n84180858">{{Cite news |last=Shepard |first=Joan |date=December 6, 1985 |title=Towering tide turns west |pages=403 |work=New York Daily News |url=https://www.newspapers.com/clip/84180858/towering-tide-turns-west/ |url-status=live |access-date=August 26, 2021 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20210826181633/https://www.newspapers.com/clip/84180858/towering-tide-turns-west/ |archive-date=August 26, 2021 |via=newspapers.com}}</ref> Following the tower's construction, William Zeckendorf developed the nearby One Worldwide Plaza to improve the character of Eighth Avenue.<ref>{{Cite news |last=Selvin |first=Barbara |date=January 19, 1987 |title=In Manhattan's Real Estate Market, Status is an Important Part of the Sell |pages=133 |work=Newsday |url=https://www.newspapers.com/clip/84206118/in-manhattans-real-estate-market/ |url-status=live |access-date=August 27, 2021 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20210827004511/https://www.newspapers.com/clip/84206118/in-manhattans-real-estate-market/ |archive-date=August 27, 2021 |via=newspapers.com}}</ref> Though developers praised the development boom that followed Equitable Tower's construction, civic organizations worried that theaters north of Times Square would be quickly replaced by offices.<ref>{{Cite news |last=Scardino |first=Albert |date=June 13, 1987 |title=New Offices Changing the Theater District |language=en-US |work=The New York Times |url=https://www.nytimes.com/1987/06/13/nyregion/new-offices-changing-the-theater-district.html |url-status=live |access-date=August 27, 2021 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20210827213722/https://www.nytimes.com/1987/06/13/nyregion/new-offices-changing-the-theater-district.html |archive-date=August 27, 2021 |issn=0362-4331}}</ref>
== See also == {{portal|Architecture|New York City}} * Tallest buildings in New York City * List of tallest buildings in the United States
==References== ===Notes=== {{Notelist}}
===Citations=== {{Reflist}}
===Sources=== * {{Cite web|date=January 2016|title=787 Seventh Avenue Tenant Information Manual|url=https://www.787seventhave.info/pdf/Tenant_Info_Manual_787_Seventh_Ave_Version-2.pdf|publisher=Premier CommonWealth Partners|ref={{harvid|Premier CommonWealth Partners|2016}}}}<!-- https://www.787seventhave.info/PDF/0TenanInfoManual787SeventAveVersion32119.pdf --> * {{cite web|author=Equitable Gallery|date=1986|title=Art at Equitable Center|url=https://archive.org/details/artatequitablece1122equi|publisher=Whitney Museum|via=Internet Archive}} * {{cite book | last=Reynolds | first=Donald | title=The Architecture of New York City: Histories and Views of Important Structures, Sites, and Symbols | publisher=J. Wiley | publication-place=New York | year=1994 | isbn=978-0-471-01439-3 |url=https://archive.org/details/architectureofne0000reyn |url-access=subscription | oclc=45730295 }} * {{Stern: New York|edition=2000}}
==External links== {{ccat|AXA Equitable Center}} * {{Official|https://www.787seventhave.info/}}
{{Midtown North, Manhattan}}
Category:1985 establishments in New York City Category:Axa Category:Edward Larrabee Barnes buildings Category:Midtown Manhattan Category:Office buildings completed in 1985 Category:Seventh Avenue (Manhattan) Category:Skyscraper office buildings in Manhattan Category:Postmodern architecture in New York City