The architects of Skidmore, Owings and Merrill LLP (SOM) of New York were commissioned to design the renovation. "The goal of the project was to provide a lobby that reflected the rich history and importance of MetLife within New York and to showcase their extensive collection of large Andrew Wyeth murals," said David Davis, associate partner at SOM. "Much of the design was informed by the exquisite lobby spaces of the neighboring Eleven Madison Avenue building, also owned by MetLife."
In order to reflect the history of the building, the architects chose to utilize the original 1893 design of the space. "The existing lobby [prior to the latest renovation] was a real product of the 1950s," said Ilana Gavin of SOM. "We wanted to provide a more appropriate image for MetLife."