Overview

The Condé Nast Building, widely known by its street name 4 Times Square, is a high‑rise office tower located in the heart of Midtown Manhattan. Rising to about 247 metres (809 feet) with 48 floors, it was completed in 1999 and became a prominent element of the Times Square skyline. The site combines office space with ground‑level retail and large exterior signage that reflects the commercial character of the neighbourhood.

Design and characteristics

Designed as a modern curtain‑wall skyscraper, the building is clad in glass and metal and has a stepped profile that responds to zoning and the context of adjacent structures. Mechanical equipment and communications facilities are concentrated at the top, while several lower levels accommodate retail and lobby space. Its façade and lighting were planned to support Times Square’s illuminated advertising culture.

Green features and innovations

At the time of construction, the tower attracted attention for incorporating energy‑conscious features uncommon on large downtown office buildings of the era. These measures included efficient mechanical systems, lighting strategies and a greater emphasis on indoor environmental quality. The project is often cited as an early example of environmentally aware design for a major commercial skyscraper.

History and development

4 Times Square was developed as part of late‑20th century efforts to revitalize the 42nd Street corridor and reinforce Times Square’s role as a commercial and media centre. Its completion in 1999 marked a phase of new construction in Midtown that combined corporate office uses with active street‑level retail and entertainment functions.

Uses and cultural role

Originally named for its anchor tenant in the publishing industry, the tower has housed media, corporate offices and retail operations. Its prominent location and illuminated façades make it a visible component of Times Square’s identity, where signage, broadcasting installations and pedestrian activity define the public realm.

Notable facts and distinctions

  • Also referred to as 4 Times Square; the building is associated with the Condé Nast publishing group.
  • Located in central New York City within the Times Square office district.
  • Often mentioned in discussions of sustainable design in late‑1990s commercial construction in the United States.

For further reading and technical references consult authoritative architectural and urban planning sources that document the building's design, construction and role within the Times Square redevelopment.