500 Fifth Ave

Art Deco grandeur of pre-Depression New York

500 Fifth Avenue is a striking Art Deco skyscraper located at the northwest corner of Fifth Avenue and 42nd Street, directly across from the New York Public Library and Bryant Park in Midtown Manhattan. Designed by the renowned architectural firm Shreve, Lamb & Harmon—best known for the Empire State Building—this 60-story tower is a classic example of early 20th-century skyscraper design.

Completed in 1931, the building embodies the elegance and verticality of the Art Deco movement, with stepped setbacks, clean lines, and ornamental detailing that emphasize its soaring height. The exterior is clad in limestone, brick, and metal, while the interior lobby features refined marble and bronze finishes. Over the decades, 500 Fifth has remained a prestigious commercial address, home to a variety of professional services and corporate tenants.
500 Fifth Ave building caters to small tenants, and competes with the Graybar and Lincoln buildings.

Key Facts:

  1. Building Class: Class A
  2. Height: 697 feet (212 meters) with 60 stories.
  3. Architects: Shreve, Lamb & Harmon—the same firm that designed the Empire State Building.
  4. Style: Art Deco, with tiered setbacks inspired by the 1916 Zoning Resolution.
  5. Completed: 1931, during the height of New York’s skyscraper boom.
  6. Location: Prominently located at Fifth Avenue and 42nd Street, next to Bryant Park.
  7. Historic Status: Listed on the National Register of Historic Places since 2010.

(All pictures by Richard Plehn. Some of the information has been taken from Wikipedia)

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