Hudson Commons is located at the gateway to the Hudson Yards submarket. Credit KPF.

Credit: Google Maps

Site plan showing the building’s multiple terraces and landscaped outdoor spaces. Credit: KPF

Hudson Commons is a repositioned office tower that maintains the expression of the existing site and scale of the neighborhood, while attracting creative tenants to its innovative, Class-A workspace. Credit: H.G. Esch

Originally built as a warehouse in 1962, the existing building was converted to office space in 1983. Credit: KPF

Throughout the podium’s floor plates, a pre-existing grid of fluted, concrete columns satisfy both aesthetic form and structural function. The additional gravitational loads imposed on the existing building were satisfied by adding mass to selective columns using sprayed concrete, minimally impacting the quality of the space. Although this technique is typically used for tunnel work, it was used here to add capacity efficiently and in a cost effective manner. In order to enhance the quality of the existing space further, the podium windows were expanded to effuse greater natural light into the interiors. Credit: H.G. Esch

Hudson Commons continues the scale and character of the neighborhood. Credit: H.G. Esch

The side-loaded core allows for daylight and views to spaces that would typically be dark and enclosed, such as the elevator lobbies, bathrooms, and stairwells. This quality connects users with one another and the city beyond. The illuminated fire stairs provide an efficient way to communicate between floors without the need for tenants to build their own, allowing for further flexibility on the floor plate and minimizing potential construction during fit out. Credit: H.G. Esch

By reusing an existing structure, the design preserves embodied carbon and reduces the project’s potential environmental impact. Over 85% of the existing building’s envelope and structural elements were reused, while the team achieved an 80% diversion rate of construction and demolition debris. Regional and recycled content, as well as FSC-certified wood and low-emitting materials, also minimize the project’s carbon impact. Expanded and floor-to-ceiling windows enhance daylight coverage of each floor, such that 90% of regularly occupied spaces offer views of the outdoors. Credit: H.G. Esch

The ninth floor repurposes the existing roof as an extraordinary tenant amenity of outdoor seating and lush green space. Credit: Mike Van Tassell

Nearly every new tower floor has a terrace or balcony, connecting users with the outdoors. Credit: Mike Van Tassell

The 13,000 ft2, wraparound terrace offers areas for collaboration, conversation, and relaxation. Credit: Mike Van Tassell

Peloton terrace. Credit Mike Van Tassell

The double-height penthouse floor at Hudson Commons includes a dedicated outdoor space, the highest in in the building. Credit: Mike Van Tassell

The double-height penthouse floor at Hudson Commons includes a dedicated outdoor space, the highest in in the building. Credit: H.G. Esch

The juxtaposition of old and new continues to the interior design. The building lobby displays rough and industrial texture from existing structure, combined with clean and polished finishes from new materials. Credit: H.G. Esch

The lobby amenity lounge expands on the juxtaposition of old and new by introducing warm colors and soft materials to contrast the existing concrete. Credit: H.G. Esch

Anchor tenant Peloton occupies several floors at Hudson Commons, including the ninth, which serves as the building’s transition from existing concrete structure to new steel tower. The reception area and lounge opens onto the landscaped wrap around terrace. Credit: Mike Van Tassell.

An internal stair links Peloton’s space in the existing podium and new tower. Credit Magda Biernat / OTTO and courtesy of A+I

In the podium, the preexisting fluted concrete columns were preserved and selectively reinforced through a “jacketing” process. Credit Magda Biernat / OTTO and courtesy of A+I

The existing building’s ribbon windows were enlarged to bring more daylight into the interior spaces. Credit Magda Biernat / OTTO and courtesy of A+I

The double-height penthouse office space features an exposed ceiling with cellular beams, harking back to the building’s industrial past. Credit H.G. Esch

In delivering Hudson Commons, 87% of the existing structure was preserved. While the existing core remained for the lower floor plates, space was made for a new tower core element to thread through the existing podium. The new concrete side-loaded core provides lateral stability for the building that previously did not exist, while also allowing for additional gravity load to be taken up by reinforced columns in the existing podium. The side core design allows for the tower floor plate structure to be made of steel and preserves views toward the east, south, and west. Credit: KPF