Bofa Tower: A Comprehensive Guide to the Iconic Building

The BofA Tower is an iconic building that stands out in the Charlotte skyline. It was completed in 1992.

Located at 100 North Tryon Street, the BofA Tower is a 55-story skyscraper that serves as the global headquarters for Bank of America. It's a prominent fixture in the city's financial district.

The tower's design is a blend of modern and postmodern styles, with a distinctive exterior that features a series of setbacks and a rounded top. Its sleek and streamlined appearance has made it a favorite among architects and urban planners.

At 871 feet tall, the BofA Tower is one of the tallest buildings in the United States.

The Bank of America Tower's design and architecture are truly impressive. The tower's massing was designed to conform with Bank of America's wish for "an iconic form" and to maximize views of other buildings, according to Serge Appel of Cookfox.

The building's facade is composed of a glass curtain wall covering over 700 thousand square feet, which includes vertical and sloped sections at the base, as well as double walls and screen walls in the upper stories. This design allows for natural light to enter the lobby and offices during the daytime, meeting LEED standards.

The curtain wall was partially inspired by the New York Crystal Palace, a 19th-century exhibition building, and the Durst family's collection of crystals. The idea behind the curtain wall is to express the idea that "the ideal of modern banking is open, clear, and transparent", according to Richard Cook of Cookfox.

The tower's facade also features building-integrated photovoltaics (BIPVs) above the main entrance on 42nd Street and Sixth Avenue, which produce small amounts of energy for the building. The southeast-corner chamfer is designed with a double-glazed wall, which deflects sunlight during the summer.

The Bank of America Tower is an iconic skyscraper in New York City, standing at 944.5 feet tall on the south end and 848 feet tall on the north end. It was developed by the Durst Organization and designed by Cookfox Architects, with Adamson Associates serving as the executive designer.

The building features a unique crystalline façade style that reflects light, and its façade is composed of a glass curtain wall covering over 700 thousand square feet. The curtain wall includes vertical and sloped sections at the base, as well as double walls and screen walls in the upper stories.

The Bank of America Tower has a seven- and eight-story base that occupies the entire plot, with the tower rising above the eastern portion of the plot. The building's massing was designed to conform with Bank of America's wish for an "iconic form" and to maximize views of other buildings.

The tower's floor plan resembles a rectangle at the lowest stories, but it becomes wedge-shaped as you move up. The southeast corner, facing Bryant Park, is a right angle at the lowest one-third of the building, but it becomes a wedge-shaped chamfer on the upper two-thirds.

The building's curtain wall was inspired by the New York Crystal Palace and the Durst family's collection of crystals. It was designed to express the idea that "the ideal of modern banking is open, clear, transparent". The curtain wall allows 73 percent of visible light to enter but deflects all ultraviolet rays.

The Bank of America Tower features a number of sustainable architectural practices, including methods for water and energy conservation, material efficiency, a green roof design to reduce stormwater runoff, and a gray water system. It also has its own means of generating electricity.

Here are some key features of the Bank of America Tower's design:

The superstructure of the Bank of America Tower is a marvel of engineering, consisting of a composite structure made from steel and concrete. This innovative design allowed for significant cost savings compared to using reinforced concrete alone.

The tower's columns are made from wide flange sections of ASTM A992 – Grade 50 steel, with other A572 Grade 50 rolled steel elements used to withstand higher loads at the base of the tower. This combination of materials provided the necessary strength and stability for the building's height.

The structural system changes at the ceiling level, where the walls of the screen are cantilevered with a structure constructed from 10×8 HSS and HSS sections of 8×8 steel ASTM A500 Grade B. This design allowed for maximum roof area and access to the building's mechanical equipment.

The columns are placed 6.10m from the center, leaning towards different elevations, resulting in few identical floors in the structure. This unique system required more ingenuity in its construction, but ultimately provided significant cost savings.

In the real world, architects and engineers often face challenges that require creative solutions.

The Bank of America Tower is a prime example of this. It's a LEED Gold certified building that features state-of-the-art OEO technology.

The elevators in the tower are capable of regenerating power, which is a signature Schindler sustainability feature.

However, OEO testing revealed that too much energy could cause a power overload during an emergency operation.

To address this issue, the Schindler team worked closely with the general contractor and the building's electrical design team to eliminate potential power surges.

The result was a seamless emergency operation, ensuring the elevators run smoothly when operating on the emergency generators.

The Bank of America Tower's OEO system is a great example of how new technology can be adapted to fit real-world situations.

Here's an overview of the entire process:

The Bank of America Tower's design and planning were a collaborative effort between two architectural firms: Cookfox Architects and Adamson Associates. These two firms worked closely together to create an eco-friendly design.

Cookfox Architects, founded by Rick Cook and Robert F. Fox, was heavily involved in the design of the Bank of America Tower. The firm has a reputation for adapting old structures to new uses, as well as designing new ones.

Adamson Associates, based in Toronto and founded by Gordon Sinclair Adamson, brought a unique perspective to the design process. The firm has primarily worked on projects in Ontario, but the Bank of America Tower is one of its most notable achievements.

Their combined efforts paid off, as the Bank of America Tower received the LEED Platinum certificate, a testament to its efficiency and eco-friendliness.

The site where the Bank of America Tower stands today was once home to a variety of buildings, some of which date back to the late 19th century. The area was originally composed of hills and meadows, with a stream running on the western boundary.

Row houses with backyards were a common sight in the neighborhood during the late 19th century, but they were eventually demolished for commercial development in the early 20th century. The site was then occupied by a mix of stores, restaurants, and theaters.

A pair of two-story buildings stood at 1111 Avenue of the Americas and 105-109 West 42nd Street, just before the tower's development. The Remington Building, a 20- or 22-story commercial building, was another notable structure that once stood on the site, at 113 West 42nd Street.

The Hotel Diplomat, a 13-story structure, had been operating since 1911 and occupied the northern part of the site at 108 West 43rd Street. The Masonic Temple was also located on the block, adding to the area's rich history.

The Roger Baldwin Building, an eight-story structure, was once the headquarters of the American Civil Liberties Union and stood at 132 West 43rd Street. The northern side of the Bank of America Tower incorporates the Stephen Sondheim Theatre, which was rebuilt when the tower was erected.

The Bank of America Tower was designed by two architectural firms: Cookfox Architects and Adamson Associates. These firms worked closely together to create an eco-friendly design.

Cookfox Architects, founded by Rick Cook and Robert F. Fox, is a prominent architectural firm involved in the Bank of America Tower's design. They have also adapted old structures to new uses and designed new structures.

Adamson Associates, based in Toronto and founded by Gordon Sinclair Adamson, has dealt with various structures over its existence, mostly in Ontario. The Bank of America Tower is likely the most famous of this firm's architectural output.

These two architectural firms collaborated to design one of the most efficient and eco-friendly skyscrapers ever built, which ultimately received the LEED Platinum certificate.

The BofA Tower is a stunning example of modern architecture, and its construction is just as impressive. The tower's foundation was built on a 1.5-acre site, with a total floor area of 2.1 million square feet.

The tower's height is 1,100 feet, making it one of the tallest buildings in the city. It has 50 floors, with the top floor being a rooftop garden.

The Bank of America Tower is a marvel of modern architecture, and one of the key factors that makes it stand out is its use of environmentally friendly building materials. 87% of the tower is constructed with recycled material, with even the concrete made from 45% recycled content, specifically blast furnace slag.

The tower's exterior is wrapped in floor-to-ceiling windows that optimize natural lighting, reducing the need for artificial lighting. The low density glass curtain wall that covers the tower from floor to ceiling minimizes the increase of solar heat through the low emissivity glass and special ceramic pieces reflect the heat while providing particular views.

The building's water conservation measures are also noteworthy, with gray water recycling, rainwater collection systems, and waterless urinals saving millions of liters of drinking water and reducing the building's water consumption by almost 50%.

The tower's energy efficiency is further enhanced by its under-floor air system and 95% filtration, which allows for individual control of fresh air in offices. Additionally, thermal ice storage tanks in the building's warehouse produce ice at night, reducing the building's maximum demand on the city's power grid.

A 4.6 megawatt cogeneration plant on site provides a clean and efficient source of energy for almost 70% of the building's annual energy needs.

The mechanical features of this construction project are quite impressive. The building's foundation is built on a 10-foot-deep concrete slab, providing a stable base for the structure.

The walls are constructed with 8-inch thick concrete blocks, which offer excellent thermal mass and can help regulate the building's internal temperature.

A state-of-the-art air handling system is installed, capable of circulating 100% of the building's air every hour. This ensures a consistent and healthy indoor environment.

The building's roof is designed to be energy-efficient, with a reflective coating that reduces heat gain during the summer months.

The mechanical features also include a high-efficiency HVAC system, which provides both heating and cooling capabilities.

The Bank of America Tower's completion in the 2010s marked a significant change in the surrounding area, with asking rents at nearby buildings rising to $100 per square foot. This transformation was largely driven by the tower's prestige and the demand for office space in the area.

The tower's high energy usage was a notable issue, with Sam Roudman of The New Republic reporting that it used twice as much energy as the Empire State Building. This was despite the tower's platinum LEED green-building certification, which was the highest available at the time.

Among the early retail tenants was Starbucks, which leased a location in the base in 2011. The company has since renewed its lease, signing a new one in late 2020.

In 2012, the Bank of America Tower lost power during Hurricane Sandy, as it was the only Midtown skyscraper connected to an electrical substation downtown. This was a significant issue, highlighting the tower's vulnerability to power outages.

The Durst Organization made an effort to improve the building's sustainability in 2013, partnering with Brooklyn Grange Rooftop Farm to install and maintain two honeybee hives on the building. This initiative aimed to promote biodiversity and reduce the building's environmental impact.

In 2013, several companies signed leases for space in the building, including asset management firms QFR Management and TriOaks Capital Management, and insurance underwriter Ascot Underwriting. This brought new life to the tower's office space and helped to establish it as a hub for financial and professional services.

By 2016, the Bank of America Tower was fully occupied, with Burger & Lobster signing a lease for a restaurant space in three stories next to the Stephen Sondheim Theatre. This marked a new chapter in the tower's development, as it transitioned from a largely office-focused building to a more mixed-use space.

In 2019, the Durst Organization and Bank of America refinanced the tower for $1.6 billion, using a combination of CMBS and Liberty Bonds. This deal valued the building at over $3.5 billion, making it one of the most valuable office buildings in the city.

The interior of the BofA Tower is impressive, with three escalators and a whopping 52 elevators. This is made possible by the Schindler Group, which manufactured the elevators and escalators.

The elevators are grouped into five banks, with four of them containing eight cabs each and the fifth bank having six cabs. This system allows for efficient movement of people within the tower.

A destination dispatch system is also in place, where passengers can request their desired floor before entering the cab. This makes navigation a breeze, especially for those who are not familiar with the tower's layout.

The lobby is a stunning 38 feet tall and offers a glimpse of the tower's grandeur from Sixth Avenue. The space is decorated with materials such as Jerusalem stone and cream-colored leather paneling, creating a sophisticated atmosphere.

The lobby's floor is made of white granite, which was imported from Tamil Nadu in India, and features air conditioning and radiant heating. The west wall facing Sixth Avenue is clad in stone, adding to the lobby's elegance.

The lobby's design is intended to create a "layered connection to the public realm of Bryant Park", according to Cookfox. This is achieved through the use of dark oxidized stainless steel, which contrasts with the lighter materials used in public areas and the tower's core.

The interior of the tower is quite impressive, with three escalators to help you get around easily.

You'll find a total of 52 elevators, manufactured by the Schindler Group, which is a significant number considering the tower's size.

The elevators are grouped in five banks, two at the ground level for general tenants and three on the second story for Bank of America workers only.

Each elevator bank contains a mix of cabs, with four banks having eight cabs each and the fifth bank having six cabs.

The elevators are equipped with a destination dispatch system, which allows passengers to request their desired floor before entering the cab.

The lobby of this building is a sight to behold, standing at an impressive 38 feet tall and visible from Sixth Avenue. The elevator core and security checkpoints are conveniently located next to the lobby.

The lobby's design is a masterclass in elegance, featuring Jerusalem stone and cream-colored leather paneling that adds a touch of sophistication. About 9,000 square feet of Jerusalem stone were used in the lobby's design.

The floor of the lobby is made of white granite, which not only looks stunning but also provides a comfortable and durable surface. The white granite was imported from Tamil Nadu in India and covered a total of 40,000 square feet.

The lobby ceiling is made of carbonized bamboo, giving it a unique and natural look. Dark oxidized stainless steel was used in the lobby's design to create a striking contrast to the lighter materials used in public areas.

A 40-foot-wide by 16-foot-tall arch marks the entrance to the general tenants' elevators on the north side of the lobby, making it a striking feature of the lobby's design. Dark steel was also used for the surfaces of the security desks and turnstiles at the security checkpoints.

The lobby's design is not just aesthetically pleasing, but also structurally sound, with columns that can withstand additional weight if one of the columns is damaged.