500 Park Ave is a relatively short 13-story building that is dwarfed by the rest of the city’s skyscrapers. But don’t be fooled — it is as important as any of those towering structures.
Pepsi commissioned the noted architectural firm Skidmore, Owings and Merrill to design a world headquarters at the corner of 59th St. It opened to rave reviews in 1960, winning several awards, including “Building of the Year” by the Municipal Arts Society. Here’s what it looked like back in the day.
Pepsi abandoned the landmark (yes, it was named a landmark in 1995) in 1970 for the wide open spaces of Purchase, New York. It became known as the Olivetti Building.
