NYC: IAC Building

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Surprisingly, it took superstar architect Frank Gehry decades to land a commission in New York City. But when it finally happened, he produced this spectacular 10-floor office building for InterActiveCorp (IAC) in 2007. 

Near the southwestern edge of the Chelsea neighborhood, what you might call the "lower West Side, " Gehry's building looks different from every angle because, well, it is different from every angle. He had a lot of experience with using computer design to make "folded metal" exteriors, but this is the first time he executed this style with glass. In fact, Gehry's original design was to fabricate the skin from crinkled titanium, but IAC boss Barry Diller insisted that it be made from smooth glass.  

Morning commuters heading south on Eleventh Avenue, if they haven't yet had their coffee, might be excused for imagining a cluster of crips sailboats heading their way as they glance to their left. Strollers on the High Line pass by the east side of the building, seen in the photograph here. 

Gehry's first big splash on the NYC cityscape led almost immediately to a second commission, this one for the 76-story residential tower at 8 Spruce Street... that one's for another day.