The Milano School, 72 Fifth Avenue

The oldest commercial work on Fifth Avenue south of 14th Street, 72 Fifth Avenue is also arguably the most inventive.  The overall scheme follows the example of the great 19th century architect Henry Hobson Richardson, whose highly individualistic revival of the Romanesque led to the recognition of an eponymous style: the Richardsonian Romanesque.  Yet the structure also incorporates… Continue reading

Just Off Fifth: The Tishman Auditorium

One of only 3 buildings in New York City designed by the masterful artist and (aptly named) architect Joseph Urban, the 1930 Tishman Auditorium of New School University is a striking presence on a street dominated by older rowhouses.  Urban’s work encompassed Viennese Secessionist, Art Deco and Art Nouveau styles, which he used on the… Continue reading

70 Fifth Avenue

An early skyscraper by Charles Alonzo Rich, formerly of the prolific residential architectural firm of Lamb & Rich, 70 Fifth Avenue was built for publisher George A. Plimpton as the Educational Building in 1912.  Home to numerous distinguished charity and social work organizations, its tenant roster once included the NAACP. Only three bays wide on… Continue reading

68 Fifth Avenue

Dwarfed by its more recent neighbors, this townhouse preserves original Italianate details on its uppermost three floors. 68 Fifth Avenue is now part of The New School’s Sheila C. Johnson Design Center.

Faces on Fifth: Dr. Radhika Subramaniam of the Sheila C. Johnson Design Center

In this installment of Faces on Fifth, our ongoing series of profiles of the people behind Fifth Avenue’s businesses, institutions and buildings we speak to Dr. Radhika Subramaniam, the Director & Chief Curator of the Sheila C. Johnson Design Center Located at 66 Fifth Avenue opposite the New School’s eye-catching new University Center at 65… Continue reading