Headquarters of the United Nations, New York City

Architecture and layout

The complex is notable for its mid-20th-century modernist architecture and international design input. Its most visible element is the tall, glass-faced Secretariat Building. Nearby are the General Assembly Hall, the Conference Building and the Dag Hammarskjöld Library, among other structures. The overall site plan and buildings were developed by an international team of architects; prominent figures associated with the project include Wallace K. Harrison (project coordinator), Le Corbusier and Oscar Niemeyer. For discussions of the architectural team and design principles see architectural overview and design history.

Principal components

• Secretariat Building: The tall administrative tower that houses the offices of the Secretary-General and many departments.
• General Assembly Hall: The large plenary chamber where representatives of member states meet.
• Conference Building: Contains meeting rooms and smaller assembly halls used for committees and negotiations.
• Dag Hammarskjöld Library: Research library serving delegates, staff and researchers.

More detailed floor plans and descriptions of each building can be found at facilities and rooms.

History and development

After the United Nations was founded in 1945, member states sought a permanent headquarters. Land on Manhattan's East River was secured in part through private purchase and donation, and the United States government granted a site for the complex in the Turtle Bay area. Construction proceeded in the late 1940s and early 1950s, and the complex officially opened in 1952. The placement in New York reflected the political and financial support of the United States alongside efforts to provide an international, neutral venue for diplomacy. For historical archives and timelines consult historical timeline.

Legal status, functions and access

The UN Headquarters is governed by a special agreement between the United Nations and the United States, which grants the organization certain privileges and immunities necessary to perform its functions while the land remains under U.S. sovereignty. The site serves as the focal point for regular sessions of the General Assembly, Security Council meetings, high-level summits and numerous conferences. The complex also hosts permanent missions of member states and offices for international staff. Public tours and exhibitions are regularly offered subject to security arrangements and visitor rules; see visitor policy and tour bookings for practical details.

Notable facts and distinctions

The Headquarters has become an internationally recognized symbol of collective diplomacy and international cooperation. Architecturally, it represents an early example of global collaboration in design, bringing together architects and artists from many countries. Over the decades the complex has been the venue for landmark speeches, treaty signings and diplomatic negotiations that shaped postwar international relations. For more on major events held at the site and its cultural significance, consult events and exhibitions and notable meetings.