UN Plaza buildings to get $500M revamp
One and Two United Nations Plaza in center; United Nations Secretariat Building to the left; Photo via WikiCommons
Two United Nations buildings will undergo a $500 million revitalization, creating over 1,800 jobs and boosting New York City’s economy by billions, New York officials announced this week. Mayor Eric Adams, Gov. Kathy Hochul, and the UN Development Corporation (UNDC) on Monday announced plans for the redevelopment, which will modernize One and Two United Nations Plaza—built in the 1970s and 80s—while consolidating its office space. As part of the plan, the UN has committed to long-term leases at the site.
Covering roughly 900,000 square feet, the project includes building-wide renovations, as well as renovations by the tenants of their leased office space. These improvements will feature new, energy-efficient systems as part of New York’s BuildSmart 2025 program, supporting the state’s energy goals. Additionally, the project will address updates to fire safety, disability codes, and regulations.
Designed in the 1970s and 80s by Pritzker Prize-winning architect Kevin Roche, One and Two UN Plaza, which both have office and hotel space, were developed to meet the needs of the organization as it expanded. This project will allow the UN to consolidate its space, improving efficiency across the organization.
The UN Children’s Fund (UNICEF), which has its world headquarters at the adjacent Three UN Plaza, will own the building in 2026.
The announcement is part of “Jobs Week,” which highlights and celebrates the city’s efforts to expand employment opportunities. Last month, Adams celebrated a new record for the highest total number of jobs in the city’s history, with 4,770,891 jobs, according to a press release.
“Having the United Nations headquartered in New York City is a powerful, symbolic reminder of our city’s proud reputation as a global capital along with being an economic engine and job creator,” Adams said.
“As we kick off ‘Jobs Week,’ we’re proud to partner with the state for this groundbreaking development plan for the UN Plaza that will create 1,800 jobs in the process, re-energize our commercial office space, and generate billions in economic impact for our city. ‘Jobs Week’ doubles down our efforts to make New York City the best, most affordable place to raise a family, starting with delivering the best jobs on the globe.”
Spacesmith will act as the project’s architect, while Cosentini Associates will serve as the mechanical, electrical, and plumbing engineer. Turner Construction Company will manage the construction, with work slated to begin in the second quarter of 2025 and expected to be completed in approximately 48 months.
Turner Construction has signed a Project Labor Agreement with the Building and Construction Trades Council, which is expected to result in cost savings for the project. To fund the project, UNDC plans to issue up to $380 million in bonds. Goldman Sachs and Siebert Williams Shank are underwriters for the financing.
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