40 Bond: The Best New Building Ever Built

Architecture partners Jacques Herzog and Pierre de Meuron were both born in 1950, and though not cousins, old enough to have enjoyed The Patty Duke Show. But as they were birthed in Switzerland, and were boys, probably not.

What I can say for them is that they have designed the most stunning new building in New York City. IN MY OPINION. The Ian Schrager condo draws architecture students to worship services, even in advance of its unveiling, at the very feet of 40 Bond Street, like it was Le Corbusier's Chapel at Ronchamp or something.

Described by Schrager as "a radical redesign of a traditional cast iron building," 40 Bond veritably glows with its surface of green-blue handmade Barcelona glass. The bottom of the building sports a frilly hem, a washed bone-colored graffiti-like squiggled fence with teasingly camouflaged entry gates. Should you walk there today, be advised that this hem is touchingly hidden behind scaffolding as she awaits for her debut. The main entrance is set back and enclosed with sleek modern high doors, ones with such grace and power mere mortals would tremble to open them.

Walk there often, and join the Euro-lovin' architecture students on the sidewalk in silent prayer. I do! As Schrager sez, 40 Bond Street is located in the heart of Noho. (North of Houston, a name widely mispronounced by locals.)

For more information about 40 Bond, please point your browser to www.40bond.com. The updated site features one of those Google Earth-type fly-overs that personally made me woozy.

I'm so happy about a Herzog and de Meuron building near me, I feel a song's coming on. Clap with me now:

The stars at night, are big and bright,
deep in the heart of Noho,
The prairie sky is wide and high,
deep in the heart of Noho.
The sage in bloom is like perfume,
deep in the heart of Noho,
Reminds me of, the one I love,
deep in the heart of Noho.

Photos 2007 Walking Off the Big Apple