When Skidmore, Owings & Merrill (SOM) undertook the renovation of the iconic Lever House in New York City, the goal was clear: preserve the building’s modernist legacy while bringing its interiors into the next generation. Backed by Brookfield Properties and WatermanClark, the team prioritized materials that balanced historical integrity with contemporary performance. That’s where our Rainforest Green soapstone entered the picture.
A Natural Fit for Architectural Restoration
To help reimagine the building’s interior spaces, M. Teixeira Soapstone collaborated with Brookfield Properties and Marmo Radziner to supply approximately 3,000 square feet of premium soapstone slabs. These slabs were expertly cut into large-format panels, used to create a dramatic soapstone wall system that enhances the Lever House lobby’s clean lines and minimalist elegance.
Rainforest green soapstone was selected for its muted gray tones, subtle veining, and warm, tactile texture—a combination that harmonizes with the Lever House’s steel-and-glass envelope. Durable, elegant, and distinctly organic, the stone lends quiet sophistication to the project’s sleek modernist surfaces.
Every slab was fabricated to meet the highest design standards, ensuring clean edges, seamless integration, and a rich visual finish. The result is a space where natural materials and architectural legacy work together beautifully.
About Lever House
Located at 390 Park Avenue in Midtown Manhattan, Lever House was originally designed by SOM in 1952 and remains a celebrated landmark of International Style architecture. At the time it was built, it inspired a wave of office construction and transformed Park Avenue.
The recent $100 million Lever House renovation, completed in partnership with Brookfield Properties, WatermanClark, and Marmo Radziner, revitalized its interiors, plaza, and amenities while preserving its minimalist heritage.
Soapstone’s Lasting Beauty and Performance
Natural soapstone offers an unbeatable combination of form and function. Its inherent beauty lies in the soft, honed surface and natural veining—qualities that are enhanced over time as the stone develops a rich patina. But soapstone isn’t just about looks. It also delivers:
- Durability. Withstands daily wear in high-traffic environments
- Heat resistance. Ideal for use near light fixtures, radiant surfaces, or direct sunlight
- Stain and mold resistance. Naturally antibacterial and nonporous
- Low maintenance. Requires no sealing or special cleaning products
Whether it’s used for soapstone wall tile, countertops, or flooring, soapstone brings long-term performance to both restoration projects and modern architectural designs.
Lasting Impact in a Landmark Space
The result of this collaboration is more than just a material installation. It’s a reintroduction of natural craftsmanship into a space defined by modernism. In the newly reimagined Lever House lobby, Rainforest Green soapstone panels serve as a quiet but powerful backdrop to the building’s iconic structure—a reminder that enduring materials never go out of style.
The success of this installation also reflects our ongoing commitment to supporting top-tier architects and developers with thoughtful, sustainable material solutions.
If you’re an architect, designer, or builder interested in incorporating soapstone into your next project, we’d love to collaborate. Soapstone’s timeless beauty makes it a designer’s dream for commercial applications. From sleek tabletops and statement-making bars to custom sinks, signage, and decorative stonework, soapstone adds both sophistication and practicality to any space, whether it’s a bustling restaurant, a chic bar, a luxury hotel, or a refined residential retreat.
Our commercial project portfolio spans high-profile installations across museums, apartments, restaurants, and office buildings from New York City to Singapore. Contact M. Teixeira Soapstone for a custom quote or to learn more about our premium materials and cut-to-size fabrication capabilities.