Metroloft 219-235 East 42nd Street Conversion

Overview

Opportunity

Solution

Impact

Team

The office-to-residential transformation of the former Pfizer headquarters will be the largest conversion in New York City history upon its completion.

Location

New York, New York

Client

MetroLoft

Expertise

Residential [FPO] Building Transformation & Adaptive Re-Use

Opportunity

MetroLoft, a pioneer in large-scale commercial-to-residential conversions, acquired two adjacent vacant office buildings to create a new residential anchor for the Midtown East neighborhood.

This office-to-residential conversion presented a unique opportunity to balance private living with thoughtfully designed communal spaces in a new residential neighborhood connected to daily necessities and major transit hubs. The vision for a vertical neighborhood, inspired by the rhythms of a city block, was to appeal to a diverse mix of residents and lifestyle types, from social seekers to those more focused on privacy and comfort, with places to gather, relax, and exchange woven throughout the complex.

Why This Matters

01
Repositioning Real Estate
Converting two vacant office buildings into housing creates new value from underused Midtown real estate while establishing a residential anchor that supports the neighborhood’s continued evolution.
02
Creating Residential Identity for Midtown
Creating a desirable home in a central business district requires the project to establish warmth and a genuine sense of belonging.
03
Adapting an Office for Living
Successful conversions reconcile office-era constraints with residential expectations for comfort and livability.

FPO Quote

Solution

The former corporate environment will become a premium residential neighborhood, pairing adaptable unit planning with a layered amenity ecosystem designed around daily life.

Across both buildings, Gensler creates a framework for a residential experience that feels restorative and elevated. The design replaces the understated character of the original office building with softly sculpted architectural forms, warm natural wood, richly veined stone, and carefully integrated lighting. From the dramatic entrance marquee through the layered lobby corridors and lounges, residents are immersed in a series of intimate, human-centered experiences. All the amenities required for comfortable urban living are curated as a lifestyle ecosystem, ranging from focused work and active wellness, to relaxation and community building.

At an unprecedented scale, the conversion will bring more than 1,600 homes to Midtown East while giving two underutilized office buildings a new purpose.

By adding housing, shared amenities, retail, and offices, the project supports a more mixed-use Midtown East that remains active beyond traditional workday hours.

What Changed Because of This

01
Housing Supply
The conversion will introduce more than 1,600 residences to Midtown East, transforming two underused office buildings into a major new source of housing.
02
Adaptive Unit Planning
Rather than imposing a repetitive residential model, the design responds to 23 distinct floor plans, turning the existing office geometry into a varied mix of homes.
03
Amenities Extend Experience
Curated amenities transform the building beyond the unit into a destination for daily life, supporting everything from focused work and active wellness to celebration, connection, and retreat.

Conversions offer the promise of helping to transform more areas that were historically centralized business districts into vibrant, 24/7 neighborhoods.

Recognition

01

The Architect’s Newspaper

Gensler’s conversion of the former Pfizer World Headquarters in Manhattan was spotlighted for its transformation into housing.

02

Bloomberg Wealth

A wave of new apartment buildings reshaping Midtown Manhattan includes the Gensler-designed conversion of the former Pfizer headquarters.

03

Wall Street Journal

New York’s office-to-residential boom was explored through several major conversion projects, including multiple developments designed by Gensler.

Team

Project Leadership

[FPO] Robert Fuller

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[FPO] Ben Koenig

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FAQ

01

What is the 219-235 East 42nd Street project?

Gensler is transforming two former office buildings into a mixed-use residential community with more than 1,600 apartments, amenities, retail, and offices, making it the largest conversion project in New York.

02

Where is the former Pfizer HQ located in New York City?

The historic former Pfizer Building is located at 219–235 East 42nd Street in the East Midtown / Murray Hill neighborhood of Manhattan.

03

Is Midtown Manhattan

Once defined primarily by office towers, Midtown East is becoming a dynamic mixed-use neighborhood that supports a walkable urban lifestyle, with everyday conveniences, restaurants, and cultural destinations.

04

What other office-to-residential conversions has Gensler completed in New York?

Gensler has led major office-to-residential conversions across Manhattan, including Pearl House (160 Water Street) in the Financial District.

Related Work

project

Franklin Tower Residences

A former corporate tower becomes a light-filled, mixed-use vertical neighborhood, reconnecting Logan Square living, working, and street life.

project

Pearl House (160 Water Street)

Pearl House is a key example of how to transform an underutilized office building into a thriving residential community.

project

Central Park House

Central Park House reimagines high-rise residential living, elevating connection, experience, and wellbeing within a bold new presence on Burnaby's skyline.

Related Expertise

Residential Building Transformation & Adaptive Re-Use

The office-to-residential transformation of the former Pfizer headquarters will be the largest conversion in New York City history upon its completion.

MetroLoft, a pioneer in large-scale commercial-to-residential conversions, acquired two adjacent vacant office buildings to create a new residential anchor for the Midtown East neighborhood.

Why This Matters

The former corporate environment will become a premium residential neighborhood, pairing adaptable unit planning with a layered amenity ecosystem designed around daily life.

At an unprecedented scale, the conversion will bring more than 1,600 homes to Midtown East while giving two underutilized office buildings a new purpose.

What Changed Because of This