Dr. Joseph Colaco returns to the Museum with a lecture that builds on his 2024 talk in our Modern Concrete Skyscraper series on the “tube-in-tube” structure of the 1971 masterpiece, One Shell Plaza in Houston by SOM architect Bruce Graham and engineer Fazlur Khan. In this second lecture Colaco will trace the development of the steel-and-concrete composite building system and will discuss the design and construction of the 1000-foot tall Texas Commerce Plaza (now JPMorgan Chase Tower) in Houston, which when completed in 1982 was the tallest composite building in the world. The tower utilizes an open-tube composite perimeter frame combined with a central concrete shear wall. Joseph Colaco Dr. Joseph Colaco received his Ph.D. in structural engineering from the University of Illinois Urbana-Champaign in 1965, the same year he began to work in the Chicago office of Skidmore, Owings and Merrill under the firm's lead engineering partner Fazlur Khan. He joined the team designing the 100-story John Hancock Centre in Chicago, researching and analyzing many of the details of the innovative trussed steel tube design. He served as SOM's project engineer on One Shell Plaza in Houston. In 1969, Colaco moved to Houston and in 1975 launched his own firm, CBM Engineers, and continued working on tall buildings in many American cities and also other countries. He opened an office in Dubai and worked on many tall buildings in the Middle East.
The Skyscraper Museum
Museum · Financial District
Location
39 Battery Pl, New York, NY 10280 · Get Directions
The Skyscraper Museum Videos
New Yorkers today are eyewitnesses to the third phase of Park Avenue's historic evolution as a value corridor and luxury brand. Almost vanished are the first era of buildings of the original "Terminal City" erected on the New York Central's "air rights" zone above the railyard. The second growth of modern office buildings of the postwar decades are now beginning to yield to new ambitions and market forces. The Department of City Planning's 2017 rezoning of East Midtown has also made possible a new scale of construction. One architectural firm – Foster + Partners – has so far dominated the new activity on the avenue and skyline. The striking tower of 425 Park Avenue for L&L Holding Company, first proposed in 2012 and completed in 2021 – the first new full-block building in the district in more than fifty years – preceded the passage of the new zoning and represented an ingenious response to design and construction under the old law. In 2025, Foster + Partners completed the new global headquarters of JPMorgan Chase at 270 Park, which represents the third, "climax species" of skyscrapers on the site first occupied by the 1917 Margery Apartments, then the 1960 Union Carbide Building. On the drawing boards is the tallest of the firm's three Park Avenue projects: the design for a new headquarters for Citadel at 350 Park. Jeremy Dworken, a partner at Foster + Partners will discuss the firm's work in the district. Jeremy joined Foster + Partners in 2010 and became a partner in 2018. He now co-directs the New York office. #parkavenue #normanfoster #fosterandpartners #grandcentral #architecure #skyscraper #nyc
The goal of rezoning East Midtown – the 78-block district that stretches from East 39th to East 57th Street, from Third to Madison Avenues – was, in the words of the New York Times when it was passed in 2017, “to revitalize what was once the core of corporate activity in New York City.” Now, nine years later, we’ll revisit that history and assess the impact of East Midtown Rezoning. First proposed by the Bloomberg administration in 2012 and ultimately adopted by the City Planning Commission and the City Council in August 2017, East Midtown Rezoning was a public policy measure designed to tip the shifting scales back from the government-subsidized competition of the new, Class A towers of Hudson Yards and Ground Zero toward the transit-rich, but aging office district anchored by Grand Central and Park Avenue – the original Terminal City. The program brings together a panel of experts who helped frame the draft and details of the East Midtown Special District, as well as those who have designed buildings within its borders, to explain the challenges of its original intentions and to evaluate the outcomes to date. The speakers are Vicki Been, Dan Garodnick, Purnima Kapur, Jonathan Mechanic, and James von Klemperer.
More in Financial District
More Museums
The Skyscraper Museum News
Miolina to Perform SOUNDS OF PARK AVENUE at The Skyscraper Museum
Violin duo Miolina will perform Sounds of Park Avenue at The Skyscraper Museum in NYC, pairing classical and contemporary works with the museum's current exhibition, The Invention of Park Avenue. A Kids' Edition is also scheduled.
Miolina To Present CONSTRUCTIVISM / DECONSTRUCTIVISM
Violin duo Miolina will premiere a new work by Wendy Griffiths and perform Henryk Górecki's rarely heard 1957 duo at Greenwich House Music School on November 14, 2024.
Miolina Performs Next Month at the Cell Theatre
Violin duo Miolina will present six new and recent works for violin duo by composers Michael Coleman, Dorothee Eberhardt, G. Blake Harrison-Lane, Takuma Itoh, Jesse Jones, & Jessie Montgomery.
Miolina Join Mosaic Composers Collective In IN TRANSIT: CHANGING NY
Miolina presents Mosaic Composers Collective in a collaborative performance featuring new works and insights into the creative process. Don't miss this unique event at Tenri Cultural Institute in Greenwich Village on February 11, 2024.
Miolina Returns To The Skyscraper Museum With CASTLES & CATHEDRALS
Miolina returns to The Skyscraper Museum with their program 'Castles & Cathedrals' featuring works inspired by these architectural marvels. Join them on October 27 for a free concert. Find out how to get tickets here!
Memorial Service for Jack L. Goldstein, Former Executive Director of Save the Theaters & TDF, to Take Place in September
Join in on September 6th to pay tribute to the life and accomplishments of Jack L. Goldstein, former Executive Director of TDF and Save The Theaters. Don't miss this opportunity to remember his invaluable contributions to the preservation of Broadway theaters.
Jack L. Goldstein, Former Executive Director of TDF and Save The Theaters, To Be Remembered in September
A memorial service for Jack L. Goldstein, who organized a successful campaign in the 1980s to landmark over two dozen Broadway theatres, will be held on Wednesday, September 6th, 2023 (5 PM) at St. Mary's Episcopal Church in-the-Highlands, in Cold Spring, NY.
Free Access to Downtown Cultural Institutions at Fourth Annual NIGHT AT THE MUSEUMS 6/20
The Downtown Culturals Group presents the fourth annual Night at the Museums, bringing visitors and locals of Lower Manhattan unique experiences at 15 of the area's most diverse and culturally significant institutions. The event is presented as a part of River To River Festival 2017, Lower Manhattan Cultural Council's annual summer arts festival. Night at the Museums takes place on Tuesday, June 20, from 4:00 p.m. to 8:00 p.m.Admission is free and many of the sites offer special programming and tours.
River To River Festival 2017 Kicks Off June 14-25 Across Lower Manhattan
Lower Manhattan Cultural Council (LMCC) presents the 16th annual River To River Festival, Downtown New York City's completely free summer arts festival, June 14-25. The 2017 edition presents an array of performances and events exploring and celebrating diversity in all its forms-often blurring the lines between genres including dance, music, theater and the visual arts-over the course of 100+ performances and events spanning 17 projects at 31 unique sites across Lower Manhattan and Governors Island. The Festival also offers opportunities for audiences to interact with artists, socialize and experience multiple facets of artists' work and the creative process.
River To River Festival Kicks Off Next Month in NYC
Lower Manhattan Cultural Council (LMCC) presents the 16th annual River To River Festival, Downtown New York City's completely free summer arts festival, June 14-25. The 2017 edition presents an array of performances and events exploring and celebrating diversity in all its forms-often blurring the lines between genres including dance, music, theater and the visual arts-over the course of 100+ performances and events spanning 17 projects at 31 unique sites across Lower Manhattan and Governors Island. The Festival also offers opportunities for audiences to interact with artists, socialize and experience multiple facets of artists' work and the creative process.
3rd Annual Night at the Museums in NYC Set for 6/21
The Downtown Culturals Group presents the third annual Night at the Museums, bringing visitors and locals of Lower Manhattan unique experiences at 15 of the area's most diverse and culturally significant institutions. The event is presented as a part of River To River Festival 2016, Lower Manhattan Cultural Council's annual summer arts festival. Night at the Museums takes place on Tuesday, June 21, from 4:00 p.m. to 8:00 p.m. Admission is free and many of the sites include special programming and tours.
African Burial Ground National Monument Set for 'Night at the Museums' Tonight
Join the National Park Service at African Burial Ground National Monument tonight, June 23, for evening tours of the outdoor memorial as part of Lower Manhattan Cultural Council's 'Night at the Museums.'
African Burial Ground National Monument Set for 'Night at the Museums', 6/23
Join the National Park Service at African Burial Ground National Monument this Tuesday, June 23, for evening tours of the outdoor memorial as part of Lower Manhattan Cultural Council's "Night at the Museums."
Metropolitan Playhouse Receives Victorian Society Award
Metropolitan Playhouse was honored Wednesday night, June 11th, by the Victorian Society New York with an Award for Outstanding Performance Arts Group, in recognition of the company's work 'contributing to the understanding, appreciation and preservation of nineteenth-century heritage in the New York City area.'
Joel Grey, Brooke Shields & More to be Honored as 2013 Living Landmarks on 11/14
Each year, the New York Landmarks Conservancy recognizes distinguished New Yorkers who have made extraordinary contributions to the City and honors them as Living Landmarks at a gala in the fall. This year The New York Landmarks Conservancy will honor Ann L. Buttenwieser, Joel Grey, Robert I. Grossman, MD, William vanden Heuvel (Lew Rudin Award), Mary Wells Lawrence, and Brooke Shields on November 14, at the Plaza. The special celebration will be hosted by Living Landmark Liz Smith.
The Skyscraper Museum Frequently Asked Questions
- What are the closest subway stops to The Skyscraper Museum?
-
The closest subway stops to The Skyscraper Museum at 39 Battery Pl in New York City are:
1. Bowling Green (4, 5 trains): Located just a short walk away from the museum, this subway stop is convenient for visitors coming from various parts of the city. You can check the latest subway updates and schedules at the official MTA website: http://www.mta.info.
2. Whitehall St-South Ferry (1, R, W trains): Another nearby subway stop, Whitehall St-South Ferry provides easy access to The Skyscraper Museum. Be sure to check for any subway service changes or delays before your visit.
While you're in the area, I recommend checking out some other attractions and dining options nearby:
1. Battery Park: Enjoy a stroll through Battery Park, located right by The Skyscraper Museum. This beautiful waterfront park offers stunning views of the Statue of Liberty and is a great spot to relax and soak in the atmosphere.
2. Statue of Liberty and Ellis Island: If you have the time, consider taking a ferry ride to visit the Statue of Liberty and Ellis Island. These iconic landmarks are a must-see for any visitor to New York City. You can find more information and purchase tickets at the official website: https://www.nps.gov/stli/index.htm.
3. Stone Street: For a unique dining experience, head over to Stone Street, a historic cobblestone street lined with restaurants and outdoor seating. It's a great place to grab a bite to eat and enjoy the lively atmosphere.
I hope you have a fantastic time exploring The Skyscraper Museum and the surrounding area!
- What's the best way to get to The Skyscraper Museum by bus?
-
The closest bus stops to The Skyscraper Museum at 39 Battery Pl in New York City are:
1. South End Avenue/West Thames Street - served by the M20 bus. You can check for updates on the M20 bus schedule [here](http://bustime.mta.info/m/index?q=400293).
2. South End Avenue/Albany Street - served by the M9 bus. You can check for updates on the M9 bus schedule [here](http://bustime.mta.info/m/index?q=400291).
These bus stops are conveniently located near The Skyscraper Museum, making it easy to reach the museum by public transportation. Enjoy your visit!
- How much time should I plan to spend at The Skyscraper Museum?
-
The ideal length of time to plan for a visit to The Skyscraper Museum in New York City is approximately 1 to 2 hours. This should give you enough time to explore the museum's exhibits, learn about the history and development of skyscrapers, and appreciate the architectural wonders on display. However, if you are particularly interested in the subject matter or enjoy reading detailed information, you may want to allocate a bit more time to fully immerse yourself in the museum's offerings. Remember, it's always better to have a little extra time than to feel rushed during your visit. Enjoy your time at The Skyscraper Museum!
- Can I bring food and drinks into The Skyscraper Museum?
-
The Skyscraper Museum in New York City does not have a food or drink policy. However, please note that food and drinks are not allowed in the exhibition galleries. If you're looking for a bite to eat or a refreshing drink, there are plenty of restaurants and cafes in the surrounding area where you can enjoy a meal before or after your visit.
- Does The Skyscraper Museum offer luggage storage?
-
The Skyscraper Museum in New York City does not have a luggage storage facility. However, there are several options available nearby where you can securely store your luggage while you visit the museum.
One option is to use a luggage storage service. There are several companies in the city that provide this service, allowing you to drop off your bags at a designated location and pick them up later at your convenience. Some popular luggage storage services in New York City include LuggageHero, Vertoe, and Schwartz Luggage Storage.
Another option is to check if your hotel offers luggage storage for guests. Many hotels in the city provide this service, allowing you to store your bags before check-in or after check-out. It's always a good idea to contact your hotel in advance to inquire about their luggage storage policy.
Lastly, if you are visiting other attractions or museums before or after your visit to The Skyscraper Museum, you can check if they offer luggage storage facilities. Some larger museums and tourist attractions in New York City provide lockers or coat check services where you can store your belongings.
Remember to plan ahead and consider your options to ensure a hassle-free visit to The Skyscraper Museum and other attractions in the city.
- Is The Skyscraper Museum a good place to visit for foreign travelers who are not native English speakers?
-
Yes, The Skyscraper Museum in New York City is definitely worth a visit for visitors from other countries and non-English language speakers. While the museum primarily provides information in English, they do offer free audio guides in multiple languages, including Spanish, French, German, Italian, and Japanese. These audio guides provide detailed explanations about the exhibits and the history of skyscrapers, ensuring that visitors can fully appreciate the museum regardless of their language proficiency.
Additionally, the museum's exhibits are visually engaging and showcase the fascinating evolution of New York City's skyline. From scale models and architectural drawings to interactive displays, there is plenty to see and learn about the iconic skyscrapers that define the city's skyline. Even without understanding the accompanying texts, visitors can still appreciate the impressive visuals and gain a deeper understanding of the architectural marvels that make New York City unique.
Overall, The Skyscraper Museum offers an enriching experience for visitors of all backgrounds, making it a great attraction to explore during your time in New York City.
- What ages are appropriate for The Skyscraper Museum?
-
The Skyscraper Museum in New York City is a fascinating destination for visitors of all ages. While there is no specific recommended age range, the museum's exhibits and displays are designed to engage and educate visitors of all backgrounds and interests. Whether you are a history buff, an architecture enthusiast, or simply curious about the iconic skyscrapers that define New York City's skyline, you will find something of interest at this museum. Families with children can also enjoy the interactive exhibits and learn about the evolution of skyscrapers through fun and educational activities. So, no matter your age, don't miss the opportunity to explore the world of skyscrapers at The Skyscraper Museum!
