the 165,000 square foot structure includes new office areas for rolex staff and tenants, as well as a new store at ground level. the first renderings of the project illustrate five vertically stacked volumes, which have been offset to create outdoor terraces and roof gardens. according to its architects, the building will provide brand experiences across a wide range of the company’s interests, becoming an important symbol of rolex’s commitment to quality, precision, and excellence.
we are proud to have been selected to design the rolex USA headquarters building,’ says david chipperfield. ‘our team is committed to creating an exemplary building befitting the heritage and culture of the rolex brand, as well as its prominent 5th avenue location.’ with offices in london, berlin, milan, and shanghai, david chipperfield architects is currently working on projects across the globe, including a concert hall in scotland and the majorrenovation of a historic structure in venice.
Great news. This is one of the buildings I’ve been dying to see redeveloped. Such a hunk of junk at such a prominent location. I love the new design’s facade, which I’m sure will be very high quality glass. But I must say I’m getting a little sick of the “stacked boxes” fad.
Notice the hand-laid Japanese fortress wall on the ground floor. Pretty impressive that a mechanical watch company still thrives after quartz and the Apple watch have taken over. But then again, like luxury real estate, luxury watches are an avenue of money laundering.
