Walk out of the Lexington Avenue–53rd Street subway station and look up. You can't miss it. It’s that massive, shimmering blue-green prism that seems to slice through the Midtown Manhattan skyline. Most people just call it the Boston Properties building, but the official mailing address is 599 Lexington Avenue New York 10022. It’s more than just a place where lawyers bill $1,000 an hour; it’s a masterclass in how 1980s architecture actually managed to get something right.
The building is 50 stories of pure glass and aluminum. It stands 653 feet tall. When it was completed in 1986, it was a massive gamble for Boston Properties and its co-founder Mortimer Zuckerman. They weren't just building an office; they were betting on the future of East Midtown. Honestly, it's one of those rare skyscrapers that feels both dated and timeless at the exact same time.
The Architecture of the "Not-So-Square" Box
Edward Larrabee Barnes designed this thing. He wasn't interested in the standard wedding-cake setbacks you see on older New York buildings. Instead, he went for a faceted, crystalline shape. Because the site is actually a bit of a weird triangle, the building uses a cut-corner design.
This creates some wild interior layouts. You’ve got these expansive corner offices that feel like they're hanging over the street. The lobby is another story entirely. It’s massive. We are talking about a 50-foot-high glass entry that feels more like an art gallery than a corporate vestibule. Inside, you’ll find Frank Stella’s "Salto nel Mio Sacco," a sprawling, vibrant mural that adds some necessary chaos to the sterile corporate environment. It’s loud. It’s bright. It’s exactly what the building needed to avoid looking like every other glass box in the 10022 ZIP code.
Who Actually Works at 599 Lexington Avenue New York 10022?
This isn't a tech hub. You won't find many "growth hackers" or sneaker-wearing CEOs here. This is the domain of white-shoe law firms and global finance. The anchor tenant for the longest time has been Shearman & Sterling (now A&O Shearman after their massive merger). They occupy a huge chunk of the building.
Cogent Entertainment Marketing is there too, along with various investment groups and private equity firms. The building caters to a specific crowd—the kind that needs high-speed elevators, obsessive security, and a direct entrance to the E and M subway lines. Having a private subway entrance is basically the ultimate NYC flex. You don't even have to step out into the rain to get to your desk.
✨ Don't miss: Online Associate's Degree in Business: What Most People Get Wrong
The Logistics of a Midtown Power Address
Location is everything. 599 Lexington Avenue New York 10022 sits right at the corner of 52nd Street. You’re a stone’s throw from the Seagram Building and Citigroup Center.
The building is LEED Gold certified. That’s actually a big deal for a structure built in the mid-80s. Retrofitting a 40-year-old glass tower to meet modern environmental standards is incredibly expensive and technically a nightmare. Boston Properties has poured millions into the HVAC systems and lighting to keep it competitive with the new glass towers rising in Hudson Yards and around Grand Central.
Why the 10022 ZIP Code Still Commands a Premium
10022 is often cited as one of the wealthiest ZIP codes in the United States. It covers a huge portion of Midtown East and the posh residential streets of Sutton Place. For a business, having this address on your letterhead isn't just about mail delivery. It’s a signal of stability.
While everyone was obsessed with the "flight to quality" moving toward One Vanderbilt or 425 Park Avenue, 599 Lex held its own. Rents here aren't cheap. You’re looking at triple digits per square foot for the upper floors with those unobstructed views of the East River and Central Park.
The Evolution of the Midtown Office
There was a moment around 2021 where people thought buildings like this were dead. The "work from home" revolution was supposed to turn Midtown into a ghost town. It didn't happen—at least not here.
🔗 Read more: Wegmans Meat Seafood Theft: Why Ribeyes and Lobster Are Disappearing
The firms in this building are the types that demand face time. If you're closing a multi-billion dollar cross-border merger, you aren't doing the whole thing on Zoom from your kitchen table. You’re in a conference room at 599 Lex.
Surprising Details Most People Miss
The building's triangular plaza isn't just for show. It was a trade-off. In New York City zoning, you can often build higher if you provide public space at the base.
Check out the "Lexington Passage." It’s a retail corridor that connects the street to the subway. It’s surprisingly clean for a New York transit hub. You’ve got high-end coffee shops and quick-bite places that cater to the thousands of people flowing through the building every day.
- The Facade: It's silver-blue reflective glass. On a cloudy day, the building almost disappears into the sky. On a sunny day, it blinds you.
- The Art: Aside from the Frank Stella, the building has rotated various installations over the decades.
- The Elevators: They use a destination dispatch system now, which helps eliminate the awkward "which floor are you going to?" conversation with strangers.
Practical Insights for Navigating the Area
If you have a meeting at 599 Lexington Avenue New York 10022, don't just wing it.
First, the security is tight. You need a government-issued ID, and your host has to have registered you in the system beforehand. Don't expect to just wander in to look at the mural without talking to a guard.
💡 You might also like: Modern Office Furniture Design: What Most People Get Wrong About Productivity
For lunch, you’re in the heart of Midtown. The Smith is nearby for a standard corporate lunch, or you can head over to Ess-a-Bagel on 3rd Avenue if you want the "real" New York experience—just be prepared to wait in a line that wraps around the block.
If you’re coming from out of town, the building is a 10-minute walk from Grand Central Terminal. If you’re flying into JFK, take the LIRR to Grand Central Madison; it’s a much faster trek than the old school subway route or a $90 Uber.
What's Next for 599 Lex?
The building is constantly being updated. To stay relevant against the "Superstalls" of 57th Street and the new developments, the management is focused on wellness and tech integration. Expect more "touchless" features and upgraded air filtration.
They also have to navigate the Local Law 97 requirements in NYC, which penalize buildings with high carbon emissions. Because 599 Lex is mostly glass, keeping it insulated is a constant battle.
Ultimately, this building represents the "Old New York" that refused to go away. It’s efficient, it’s expensive, and it’s strategically placed at the center of the financial world. It doesn't need to be the tallest building in the city to be one of the most important.
Actionable Steps for Professionals and Visitors
- For Tenants: Evaluate the floor plate efficiency. The "faceted" edges mean you have more perimeter glass per square foot than a standard square building, which is great for natural light but can make office partitioning tricky.
- For Visitors: Enter via the Lexington Avenue side to see the Frank Stella mural. It's the building's most significant cultural asset.
- For Commuters: Use the 53rd Street entrance for the E/M/6 lines. It’s far less crowded than the main 42nd Street Grand Central entrances and puts you directly underneath the building.
- For Real Estate Enthusiasts: Compare the architectural style to Barnes' other work, like the IBM Building at 590 Madison. You'll see a similar obsession with sharp angles and high-quality materials.