Jenga Tower in New York: a building in perfect balance

What You Need to Know About the Jenga Tower

• If you have kids, you probably know Jenga—the skill game where you stack wooden blocks as high as possible without the tower collapsing. Walking through New York’s Financial District, you’ll discover the architectural version of this famous game: 56 Leonard Street!
• This 250 m (820 ft) tower was designed by Swiss architecture firm Herzog & De Meuron and features a bold design. The architects describe it as “stacked houses in the sky.” New Yorkers quickly nicknamed it the Jenga Tower.
• The building at 56 Leonard Street, between Church Street and Broadway, was completed in 2007. This architectural marvel has 60 floors and contains only residential apartments. Prices reached dizzying heights: a two-bedroom apartment sold for nearly $5 million.
• At the base of the building stands a massive steel bean—a sculpture by Anish Kapoor! It’s a must-photograph moment in front of this giant mirror, reminiscent of a similar sculpture in Chicago.

Practical Information About the Jenga Tower

• Address: 56 Leonard Street, between Church Street and Broadway.
• Subway: Franklin Street station (lines 1 and 2).
• Access: You can freely photograph the building and the mirror bean sculpture at its base. However, entry to the building is strictly prohibited. In any case, you’ll notice the entrance is guarded.

The Jenga Tower in Photos

How to Get There