Studios Architecture Revamps the Frank Gehry–Designed Former Condé Nast Cafeteria

Elizabeth Fazzare
Updated

Craving corn chowder? Before Condé Nast's move to Lower Manhattan four years ago, the Frank Gehry–designed cafeteria at the magazine publisher's former 4 Times Square digs was editors' go-to for a cup of The Devil Wears Prada-dubbed "cellulite soup"—and for all other variety of workday meals, too. With its bending glass partitions and intimate banquette seating (specifically designed to prevent the carrying of sound from top secret conversations), the cafeteria hosted the who's who of publishing for lunch. Now, Studios Architecture has brought new light to the signature Frank Gehry curves, reimagining the space as a Claus Meyer–managed food hall, open to all tenants of the building.

Studios Architecture has reinvigorated the Gehry-designed space with American white oak floors and detailing.
Studios Architecture has reinvigorated the Gehry-designed space with American white oak floors and detailing.
Photo: Courtesy of the Durst Organization

"We kept the design intent of Gehry's original effort," Jordan Barowitz, of building owner The Durst Organization, said about the renovation. "The significant effort of those wavy glass partitions hasn't been touched. But, overall, it's been lightened." To do this, Studios replaced the original linoleum floors with American white oak, re-covered the once pumpkin-hued banquettes in a neutral-colored leather, swapped out the once yellow tables for simple white Saarinen rounds, and replaced perforated titanium wall coverings with plaster and Sheetrock, which curve in emulation of their glass neighbors. At the west end of the cafeteria, disused mechanical space was transformed as a garden room café/bar and co-working space, wrapped in a floor-to-ceiling green wall featuring 2,200 plants. This "green room was designed to complement the Gehry space," said Barowitz. "There is a natural draw from the cafeteria into it."

The new Garden Room in the Four Times Square 45,600-square-foot amenity space features a floor-to-ceiling green wall by Blondie's Treehouse, Inc.
The new Garden Room in the Four Times Square 45,600-square-foot amenity space features a floor-to-ceiling green wall by Blondie's Treehouse, Inc.
Photo: Courtesy of the Durst Organization

Rounding out the fourth floor, the former Condé Nast test kitchens have become a pre-function space for the redesigned conference center. Overall, the renovation provides 45,600 square feet of amenities the the building. And with Meyer in charge of food and beverage, the soup's now farm-to-table.

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