156 Fifth Avenue

156 Fifth Avenue stands as one of the Flatiron District’s most recognizable prewar office buildings, positioned prominently at the corner of Fifth Avenue and West 20th Street. Known historically as the Presbyterian Building, the property delivers a blend of landmark architecture, Fifth Avenue frontage, and modernized office infrastructure that continues to attract a wide range of tenants—from creative firms and technology companies to professional services and boutique financial groups.

The building’s defining characteristic is its location. Sitting directly along Fifth Avenue between Union Square and Madison Square Park, 156 Fifth Avenue places tenants in the center of one of Manhattan’s most active and desirable office corridors. This location provides immediate access to transit, dense retail amenities, and a surrounding ecosystem of established office users that reinforce both convenience and brand positioning.

Architecturally, the property reflects the scale and character that tenants actively seek in Midtown South. The structure features classic masonry construction, strong window lines, and a recognizable façade that contributes to a polished corporate identity without sacrificing the creative loft-style appeal that defines the Flatiron market. Inside, office spaces are configured to support modern workplace layouts, combining open workstation areas with perimeter offices and collaborative meeting environments.

From a leasing perspective, 156 Fifth Avenue occupies a strategic middle ground in the market. It offers the aesthetic and branding advantages of a Fifth Avenue address while maintaining the efficiency and flexibility associated with Midtown South office product. This balance makes the building particularly attractive to tenants who want a recognizable address without committing to the pricing levels of newer trophy construction.

Tenants benefit from direct proximity to Union Square’s major subway hub as well as the 23rd Street corridor, creating a highly accessible workplace for employees commuting from all parts of New York City and the surrounding region. The immediate neighborhood supports daily operations with an extensive mix of restaurants, fitness options, retail, and hospitality venues, allowing companies to provide a complete workplace experience without relying on in-building amenities alone.

Overall, 156 Fifth Avenue positions itself as a high-character, high-visibility office asset within the Flatiron District. For tenants evaluating Midtown South, the building represents a compelling option that combines location, identity, and functional office layouts in one of Manhattan’s most consistently in-demand submarkets.

156 Fifth Avenue is a landmark Class B office building located at the corner of Fifth Avenue and West 20th Street in Manhattan’s Flatiron District. Originally constructed between 1894 and 1895 as the Presbyterian Building and designed by architect James B. Baker in the Romanesque Revival style, the property has been preserved and upgraded to support modern office tenancy while maintaining its historic architectural identity within the Ladies’ Mile Historic District.

The building occupies a prominent Fifth Avenue corner position, delivering strong branding exposure, architectural distinction, and immediate proximity to Union Square, Madison Square Park, and the broader Midtown South office ecosystem. Its positioning makes it a consistent target for tenants seeking identity-driven space in a transit-rich, amenity-dense location.

Core Building Metrics

Building Address: 156 Fifth Avenue, New York, NY 10010
Submarket: Flatiron District / Midtown South
Property Type: Class B Office Building
Alternate Name: The Presbyterian Building
Ownership / Management: Institutional ownership (HRC Corporation / operator-managed asset)
Original Construction: 1894–1895
Architect: James B. Baker
Architectural Style: Romanesque Revival / Ladies’ Mile Historic District
Building Height: Approximately 13–14 stories
Total Building Size: Approximately 230,000–234,000 Square Feet
Floor Plate Sizes: Efficient mid-size plates typically ranging from ~10,000 to 20,000 Square Feet
Ceiling Heights: Vary by floor, with higher ceilings on lower levels and strong volumetric feel in upper floors
Window Lines: Large, evenly spaced historic windows providing strong natural light across multiple exposures
Lobby Presence: Ornate, restored lobby with marble finishes, decorative ceilings, and attended entry
Elevator Infrastructure: Multiple passenger elevators servicing all floors
HVAC Systems: Upgraded tenant-controlled HVAC systems (varies by installation)
Electrical Systems: Modernized infrastructure supporting contemporary office buildouts
Retail Component: Ground-floor retail along Fifth Avenue frontage
Security: Attended lobby with controlled building access
Fiber Connectivity: High-speed telecom and fiber infrastructure available throughout

Architectural & Structural Highlights

156 Fifth Avenue is defined by its Romanesque Revival façade, featuring heavy masonry construction, arched window openings, and strong vertical articulation that creates a commanding presence along Fifth Avenue. The building’s corner massing enhances visibility and identity, particularly for tenants occupying partial or full floors with frontage exposure.

Inside, the property retains historic detailing, most notably within the lobby, where marble-clad corridors, vaulted ceilings, and decorative finishes create a high-end arrival experience uncommon for Midtown South assets at this price tier.

The structural grid and window distribution allow for efficient office layouts while preserving the character that tenants seek in prewar Flatiron buildings.

Workplace Environment

Office installations within 156 Fifth Avenue typically balance open-plan efficiency with perimeter office layouts. The building’s window lines and ceiling volumes support bright, usable workspaces that appeal to both creative and traditional office users.

Typical workplace configurations include:

Open workstation layouts positioned to maximize natural light
Perimeter private offices and executive rooms
Conference and meeting room buildouts
Reception areas leveraging architectural character
Pantry and breakout areas integrated within the floorplate

The building’s mid-size floor plates are particularly attractive for small to mid-sized tenants looking to occupy full floors without excess inefficiency.

Tenant Advantages

From a leasing perspective, 156 Fifth Avenue offers a combination of location, identity, and efficiency that is difficult to replicate in Midtown South.

Key tenant benefits include:

Prime Fifth Avenue address within the Flatiron District
Strong branding and signage presence due to corner positioning
Immediate access to Union Square transit hub and 23rd Street subway lines
Walkable access to Madison Square Park and surrounding amenities
Historic character paired with modern office functionality
Efficient full-floor opportunities for mid-sized tenants

The building is especially well-suited for technology firms, creative agencies, design companies, and professional services groups seeking a recognizable NYC address without moving into premium Class A pricing.

Operational Efficiency

The building’s floor plate sizes and layout flexibility allow tenants to design efficient office environments without excessive loss factor or awkward configurations typical of older structures.

Modern infrastructure upgrades support contemporary business needs while maintaining the structural integrity of the original building. This creates a balance between cost efficiency and workplace quality, particularly for tenants transitioning out of coworking or smaller loft spaces.

Overall Positioning

156 Fifth Avenue stands as a high-character, location-driven office asset in the Flatiron District. It bridges the gap between boutique prewar charm and functional modern workspace, offering tenants a Fifth Avenue presence, strong transit access, and efficient layouts in one of Manhattan’s most consistently in-demand submarkets.

For companies evaluating Midtown South office space, the building represents a strategic option for both immediate occupancy and long-term positioning within a competitive, high-visibility corridor.

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Near By Transportation

156 Fifth Avenue benefits from one of the strongest transit positions in Midtown South, anchored between Union Square and the 23rd Street corridor, giving tenants access to multiple subway lines within a short walk.

23rd Street Station (R, W) — approximately 1–2 minutes walk
23rd Street Station (F, M) — approximately 3–4 minutes walk
23rd Street Station (6) — approximately 4–5 minutes walk
Union Square – 14th Street (4, 5, 6, L, N, Q, R, W) — approximately 6–8 minutes walk
28th Street Station (R, W) — approximately 5 minutes walk

This level of connectivity allows direct access to Midtown, Downtown, Brooklyn, and Queens with minimal transfers, making commuting efficient for employees coming from all boroughs and surrounding regions.

In addition to subway access, the property is surrounded by major north–south and east–west corridors, including Fifth Avenue, Broadway, and Park Avenue South, supporting strong bus service, rideshare availability, and easy access to Penn Station and Grand Central within a short commute.

Notable Buildings in the Area

156 Fifth Avenue is surrounded by some of the most recognizable and functionally important office buildings in the Flatiron District and Midtown South. This cluster reinforces the area’s identity as a hub for creative, technology, and professional tenants.

Flatiron Building (175 Fifth Avenue) — One of New York City’s most iconic landmarks, anchoring the neighborhood and reinforcing strong brand recognition for nearby office tenants
200 Fifth Avenue — A premier Class A office building with direct Madison Square Park frontage, known for large floor plates and high-end tenant installations
11 Madison Avenue — A trophy-level office tower offering institutional-grade infrastructure and home to major credit tenants and global firms
41 Madison Avenue — A major showroom and office building serving as a central hub for the wholesale and design industries
915 Broadway — A prominent prewar office building offering efficient floor plates and strong Midtown South leasing activity
28 West 23rd Street — A boutique office property catering to creative and smaller-scale tenants seeking Flatiron positioning
304 Park Avenue South — A modernized office building combining accessibility with upgraded systems and strong tenant demand
860 Broadway — A well-known Midtown South office asset with consistent leasing velocity and proximity to Union Square

This surrounding inventory places 156 Fifth Avenue directly within one of Manhattan’s most competitive office ecosystems, where tenants benefit from both prestige and proximity to a dense network of established companies, service providers, and amenities.

Zip Code

10010