Every Building on Fifth

A handsome essay in pink brick and limestone, 135 Fifth Avenue was designed and constructed in 1898 – 1899 by David W. King. The building was the location of the Century Bank, which merged with Chase Manhattan in the 1920s. Other tenants included numerous fashion houses – including a company that imported Japanese silk tea… Continue reading

The delicate cast iron façade of 134 Fifth Avenue, one of the few left on the avenue, was designed by architect Charles R. Behrens in 1893 to replace that of the 1853 brownstone mansion that stood on the site. Behrens’ career in New York was cut short in 1895 when along with five others including… Continue reading

A nine-story design by Robert Maynicke, 133 Fifth Avenue was built in 1898-99 for Richard Williamson and was a center of the garment trade for many years. The building makes an exceptionally attractive neighbor to 127-129 Fifth directly to the south; its bowfront window facing Fifth Avenue is especially fine. The unusual Corinthian cornice is… Continue reading

An especially fine work by Robert Maynicke, 130-132 Fifth Avenue echoes the strong proportions of 90 Fifth Avenue further south but includes a more elaborate degree of detail. The broad show windows are intact although the windows themselves are replacements; rusticated brick, corner piers and fine carved stone are in the Neo-Renaissance mode. The end… Continue reading

An unusual Beaux Arts design by the firm of Israels & Harder, 127-129 Fifth Avenue was constructed as commercial space for the renowned department store Lord & Taylor, which moved to this location from an original shop on Grand and Chrystie Streets. Notable for vigorous detail and high level of finishes throughout, 127-129 Fifth Avenue… Continue reading