Installation of the reflective glass curtain wall on the Turkevi Center at 821 First Avenue is nearing the finish line. The panels gracefully wrap around the curved corners of the 563-foot-tall superstructure in the Midtown East neighborhood of Turtle Bay. Perkins Eastman is the designer of the 35-story mixed-use development, which will eventually serve as the consulate of the Republic of Turkey.

Photos show the smooth surface of the envelope against a dramatic afternoon sky. The sleek shape and simple texture of the building’s finish contrasts with the look of Norman Foster’s adjacent residential tower at 50 United Nations Plaza. Both are among the newest additions to the neighborhood along the East River waterfront.

The last major portion of 821 First Avenue’s curtain wall awaiting completion is the podium. The primary rendering shows a large frame on the eastern elevation that spans the height of the multi-story base, surrounding the main entrance to the building. The exterior elevator hoist is still standing on the backside of the tower, but should likely be disassembled in the coming months.

The development contains 102,000 square feet of commercial space spread across the first 15 floors, an auditorium in the cellar levels, offices, a prayer room, passport and visa branch offices, and outdoor terraces on the seventh, 11th, and 16th floors. The building will also feature 40,195 square feet of residential space divided among 20 apartments for both staff and visitors. These will begin on the 20th floor and average 2,045 square feet apiece. Two homes are set to become duplexes. Residential amenities include a fitness center, a shared outdoor terrace space on the 20th floor, and an underground parking garage for 20 vehicles.

821 First Avenue should likely be finished by the end of the year.

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