381-383 Fifth Avenue
Above its mutilated first and second floors, 381-383 Fifth Avenue brings a burst of Parisian lavishness to its block. Comparison of the upper with the lower stories provides an all-too-common example of a trend in showroom design subtracting architecture from the streetscape. Would that it also provided an object lesson.
373 Fifth Avenue
Designed by Hunt & Hunt, successor firm to the great Richard Morris Hunt, 373 Fifth Avenue was constructed for the Alvin Manufacturing Company, a prominent silversmith. The ornate façade was decidedly less so in comparison with the building’s original neighbors. The ground floor has been regrettably altered, but 373 Fifth Avenue remains otherwise intact as… Continue reading
366 Fifth Avenue
A handsome mix of Romanesque and Beaux Arts motifs, 366 Fifth Avenue, also known as The New York Accessories Exchange, was built in 1907-1908 and is a major center for the accessories trade. The original freight elevator from 1907 is still run by a porter.
351 Fifth Avenue, The B. Altman’s Building
Arguably the best department store building in New York City, the former B. Altman’s at 351 Fifth Avenue is a restrained design by Trowbridge & Livingston created when the store moved from its former location on Sixth Avenue. Designed to blend in with the staid mansions that then dominated the area, the store was famed… Continue reading
341-347 Fifth Avenue
A heavily ornate design by Maynicke & Franke, 341-347 Fifth Avenue was completed in 1907. The contrast of limestone carvings and red brick suggests the much larger Brunswick Building at 213-231 Fifth Avenue at Madison Square.