| Building Address: | 31 Union Sq W, New York NY 10003 |
| Building Name: | Chase Manhattan Bank Building |
| Zip Code: | 10003 |
| Neighborhood: | Union Square |
| Borough: | Manhattan |
| Stories: | 0 |
| Year Built: | 1902 |
| Building Class: | B |
The Bank of the Metropolis building at 31 Union Square West, constructed between 1902-1903 by architect Bruce Price, stands as a 16-story Renaissance Revival skyscraper with Beaux-Arts elements. Originally built for the Bank of the Metropolis (1871-1918), its tripartite facade featured a granite Ionic-columned entrance and was briefly among the world's tallest buildings upon completion.
Key institutions including Tiffany & Co., Steinway & Sons, and Constable & Sloane populated its early board. After merging with Bank of Manhattan (later Chase Manhattan), the building hosted offices, Parsons School of Design dorms, and currently houses Blue Water Grill at street level. Designated a NYC Landmark in 1988 and added to the National Register of Historic Places in 2003, the structure pioneered early skyscraper design with rapid elevators and subway adjacency noted upon opening.
31 Union Square West, Manhattan, NYC, also known as the Bank of the Metropolis, is a historic building located in the Flatiron District. It was built from 1902 to 1903 and designed by Bruce Price. The building was designated a landmark in 1988 and features an exquisite marble lobby. Originally constructed as a bank, it has been converted into residential luxury lofts. The building offers 76 units over 16 stories and provides amenities such as a doorman and central laundry room.
Bank of the Metropolis Amenities
- 24-hour attended lobby
- Doorman
- Elevator
- Laundry facilities
- Live-in superintendent
Historic 1902 landmark building featuring marble lobby, converted residences with high ceilings, and prime Union Square location steps from subways and farmers markets.
31 Union Square West, Manhattan, NYC, is the historic Bank of the Metropolis building, constructed in 1903. While primarily residential, it hosts luxury apartments in a prime location near Union Square. The building features 76 rental units across 16 floors, with amenities including a doorman, central laundry, and a live-in super. Pet-friendly and well-connected to several subway lines, it offers a unique living experience in the heart of Flatiron/Union Square.
| Provider | Price | Max Speed | Type |
|---|
| Spectrum | $30/mo | 1 Gbps | Cable/Fiber |
| Optimum | $40/mo | 8 Gbps | Cable/Fiber |
| Verizon | $49.99/mo | 2.3 Gbps | 5G/Fiber |
| Xfinity | $30/mo | 2 Gbps | Cable |
| Viasat | $79.99/mo | 30 Mbps | Satellite |
| HughesNet | $49.99/mo | 100 Mbps | Satellite |
| Starry | $30/mo | 1 Gbps | Fixed Wireless |
| Starlink | $80/mo | 220 Mbps | Satellite |
Transportation & Cross Streets
Cross Streets: East 15th St and East 16th St near Union Square West
Nearest Subway Stations
- 14 St-Union Sq (4/5/6/L/N/Q) – 2-4 min walk
- 14 St/6 Av (F/M/L) – 8 min walk
Bus Routes
- M1, M2, M3, M7, M14A-SBS, M14D-SBS – stops within 1-5 min walk
- BM2, BM3 – nearby routes
Main Bus Stops
- Union Sq East/E 15 St (2 min walk)
- E 14 St/University Pl (4 min walk)
- Broadway/E 13 St (4 min walk)
Train Access
- PATH trains to NJ – nearby connections
Retail Tenants Rented / Leased 31 Union Sq W- Blue Water Grill leased 11,700 SF
Nearby Office Tenants Leased- Myriad Supply Company leased 3,000 SF at 10 West 18th St
- Discovery Communications leased 362,000 SF at 230 Park Avenue South
- MasterCard leased 216,456 SF at 150 Fifth Ave
- New School leased 212,810 SF at 79 Fifth Ave
- WeWork leased 177,000 SF at 18 West 18th Street
- Benjamin N. Cardozo Sch… leased 156,668 SF at 55 Fifth Ave
- New York University leased 125,000 SF at 105 East 17th Street
- WeWork leased 100,000 SF at 35 East 21st Street
- Compass leased 81,410 SF at 110 Fifth Ave
- Seatgeek leased 72,800 SF at 902 Broadway
Nearby Retail Tenants Leased- New Balance leased 6,595 SF at 150 Fifth Ave
- Sephora leased 6,300 SF at 200 Park Ave S
- Free People leased 6,000 SF at 79 Fifth Ave
- Theory leased 5,500 SF at 139 Fifth Ave
- Ricky's Union Square leased 5,200 SF at 7 East 14th Street
- Kellogg's NYC leased 5,000 SF at 31 East 17th Street
- Pret A Manger leased 4,300 SF at 821 Broadway
- Bonobos Guideshop leased 4,000 SF at 95 Fifth Ave
- Mexican Hospitality Operator LLC leased 3,700 SF at 35 East 21st St
- Damien Scoditti leased 3,500 SF at 920 Broadway
To whom it may concern:
I am writing to recommend Stephen Sunderland and Optimal Spaces Inc. based on the excellent job they did assisting us in finding a lease at 215 Park Avenue South. They were fast and efficient in locating spaces that met our requirements and corporate image, aggressive in negotiating on our behalf, and effective in communicating our needs to the landlord and getting our offer accepted.
I look forward to working with the team at Optimal Spaces Inc. again.
Very truly yours,
Donald H. Rutherford
CFO
