Warren Platner (American, 1919-2006)

Art

Who is architect Warren Platner?

William Platner was an American furniture designer, architect, and interior designer. He is best known for two projects: designing the Windows on the World restaurant on top of the World Trade Center, and his work with Knoll International on a series of chairs. The latter was a huge step in popularizing midcentury modern furniture design. For the rest of that decade and into the next, Planter chairs became hugely popular bestsellers -- to the point that Knoll expanded the line to include an easy chair, ottoman, and an office collection.

Platner was the head of interior design for Kevin Roche’s legendary NYC firm before creating his own office, Warren Platner Associates in 1965. With an emphasis on quiet color schemes and custom-made furniture pieces, Platner’s work was in high demand for much of his life. He designed the Ford Foundation HQ building, a New York Showroom for the esteemed furniture dealer, Georg Jensen, and most famously Windows on the World. He was inducted into the Interior Design hall of fame in 1985. He continued to produce vibrant work up until his death, at age 86, in 2006.

What kind of art does Warren Platner make?

Warren Platner was a furniture designer, interior designer, and architect. He’s best known as the designer of the Windows on the World restaurant in the World Trade Center. It opened in 1976 and was the culmination of much of Platner’s midcentury modern design aesthetic. Made to resemble the interior of an old ocean liner, it was praised by revered New York Times architecture critic, Paul Goldberger as a perfect example of “sensuous modernism.” Platner is also famous for his furniture line with Knoll International. Platner chairs are still produced today, thanks to the public’s seemingly never-ending infatuation with midcentury modern furniture. Both supple and strong, Platner’s work is as popular to a modern audience as he was in his heyday of the 1960s. Not many architects can say the same.

How did artist Warren Platner get started?

Warren Platner was born in 1919 in Baltimore, Maryland. He graduated from Cornell University in 1941 with a degree in architecture. Almost immediately, he began working with some of the most famous architects in the US. Platner was able to work with both Raymond Loewy and I.M. Pei in the span of just five years, from 1945 - 1950. He burst onto the scene in his own right when he received the Rome Prize in architecture in 1955. He worked at Kevin Roche’s firm for almost a decade before opening Warren Platner and Associates in 1965.

How much are Warren Platner pieces worth?

Warren Platner furniture is extremely valuable. Occasionally, you can find smaller pieces for under $4,000, but high end pieces can be worth as much as $10,000 or more. The most a Warren Platner piece has ever sold for with Heritage Auctions was $5,750 for Four Arm Chairs (1966), which sold on April 15th, 2019. It consisted of four chairs made from bronzed steel in the midcentury modern style for which Platner would become famous. It’s a perfect example of the prototypical Platner piece.

Where to buy Warren Platner pieces for sale?

See works for sale below. Why buy from Heritage? Art buyers feel confident because our experts know the market and put careful valuations on artwork for sale. We make the bidding process easier to help you expand your art collection.

How to value Warren Platner pieces?

The best way to value art is to compare past auction prices for similar works. View past sale prices below. When you’re ready to sell, contact Heritage Auctions to request an auction estimate of the likely selling price at auction. If you need a formal written appraisal for estate planning or insurance, please contact our Appraisal Services department.