The International Toy Center North Building is located in the historic area surrounding Madison Square Park at the corner of Broadway and 24th Street in New York City.  The 16 story, 300,000 sf North Toy Building, designed by H. Craige Servance & W. Van Alen, sits on the site of the old Albemarle Hotel and was constructed in 1915 when the neighborhood’s focus was changing from a place of grand hotels to a place of central commerce in New York.  In the 1950’s the area became known as the International Toy Center.
In recent time, the neighborhood has been shifting from a place of commerce to a place of living. Tessler Development has approached ODA in converting the North Toy Building into 175 luxury residences with retail on the first floor.  Approximately 29,000 sf will be removed from the rear of the building and relocated to the roof of the building. The building will be a total of 23 stories and approximately 370’ in height. The design approach for the 7 story addition is generated from the playfulness of a child’s toy block construction.  This approach allows each penthouse villa to have its own character that captures the views of the park with terraces and corner windows with privacy. The playfulness also draws back to the days of when the building was at the heart the International Toy Center.  The design of the base of the building will visually connect with the top of the building.  The amenities for the building will include a swimming pool, valet parking, gym, lounge, and two rooftop bar areas for the residence.