In 1999, Sumitomo undertook a $20 million renovation of the building's lobby and lower floors, the first since the building had been completed over 40 years earlier. Initially, Sumitomo planned to remove the Noguchi artwork but eventually agreed to instead spend $1 million renovating the ceiling installation and another $300,000 to restore the fountain. The renovation also relocated an entrance to the Fifth Avenue/53rd Street subway station and replaced the aluminum panels facing Fifth Avenue with glass to allow better visibility for the retail space. After the renovations, the tower was 99% occupied.