| Bulding Address: | 120 East 42nd Street, New York NY 10017 |
| Building Alternate address: | 120 E 42nd St |
| Zip Code: | 10017 |
| Neighborhood: | Grand Central |
| Borough: | Manhattan |
| Stories: | 5 |
| Year Built: | 1921 |
| Building Class: | B |
Located at 120 East 42nd Street in Manhattan, New York City, the building is part of the Bowery Savings Bank complex originally constructed during 1921-1923, with an addition completed between 1931-1933. Designed by the architectural firm York & Sawyer with W. Louis Ayres as the design partner, this building exemplifies Italian Romanesque architecture, distinguished by its use of historic Italian forms and polychrome materials.
The facade reflects a tripartite arrangement of base, shaft, and top. The base, comprising the first five floors, is notably dramatic with a deeply cut, arched entrance reminiscent of a tenth-century Emilian church or basilica facade. This grand entrance features archivolts carved with foliated, spiral, and chevron patterns, allegorical representations on the voussoirs, and bronze mullions enriched with ornamental cast surfaces. The upper office tower floors begin at the fifth floor and culminate with double arcading, corbelled cornices, tiled copings at the mandated setback above the seventeenth story, and a tiled penthouse roof.
Architectural elements such as pink granite colonnettes, verde marble spandrels, and red pantile roofing create a polychrome effect characteristic of the style. The building’s carvings and decorative details are abundant and were intended to dramatize the act of banking itself, transforming the savings bank into a symbol of security and thrift. Inscriptions around the arches reinforce these themes, with phrases like "Devoted To The Service Of Our Citizens That The Fruit of Their Labor May Be Secure" and "Dedicated To The Encouragement Of Thrift - The Moulding Of Character & The Upbuilding Of Americanism."
The 1931-33 addition to the east side of the building houses administrative and public relations departments and gives the building an asymmetrical aspect. The East 42nd Street facade’s historic Italian Romanesque style continues on this addition, maintaining architectural harmony throughout the expanded structure.
Interior features include the first floor banking room with monumental arches, intricate bronze door surrounds, and large windows set within the arches, preserving original bronze mullions and cast ornamentation. The design of the interior spaces reflects the building's ceremonial purpose, dramatizing saving as a ritual through carefully crafted architectural details and artwork.
120 East 42nd Street, Manhattan, NYC is known for housing several notable establishments:
- 42nd Street Dental Associates: A full-service dental clinic located on the 5th floor.
- Olivio: An eatery offering a variety of pastries, sandwiches, and specialty coffee drinks.
- Bowery Savings Bank Building: Originally built in 1932, this building has 4 stories and 6 residential units.
This location is directly accessible via the 4-5-6-S subway lines and is situated near Grand Central Terminal, One Vanderbilt, and Hyatt Grand Central.
120 East 42nd Street, Manhattan, NYC offers several amenities, including:
- Prime Location: Situated between Park Avenue and Lexington Avenue.
- Accessibility: Directly accessible via the 4-5-6-S subway lines.
- Excellent Connectivity: Steps from One Vanderbilt and Hyatt Grand Central.
- Amenities Nearby: Surrounded by numerous office spaces.
Office Tenants Rented / Leased at 120 East 42nd Street, Manhattan, NYC
120 East 42nd Street, located in the Grand Central neighborhood of Manhattan, is a 5-story Class B office building constructed in 1921 with approximately 34,261 square feet of office space.
Notable Office Tenants
- 42nd Street Dental
- Forty Second St Dental Associates: Spatzner Matthew R
Building Features
- Prime location in the heart of Manhattan's Grand Central area
- Excellent access to mass transportation including multiple subway lines
- Typical floor size approximately 3,717 square feet with 11-foot unfinished ceiling height
Internet Providers at 120 East 42nd Street
Verizon Fios
- Type: Fiber-optic
- Speeds: 300 Mbps - 2 Gbps
- Pricing: From $49.99/month
Astound Broadband (RCN)
- Type: Fiber/Cable
- Speeds: Up to 1.5 Gbps
- Pricing: From $35/month
Spectrum
- Type: Cable
- Speeds: Up to 1 Gbps
- Pricing: From $50/month
Optimum
- Type: Fiber
- Speeds: Up to 8 Gbps
- Pricing: Premium plans available
Availability subject to building infrastructure. Contact providers directly for service confirmation.
120 East 42nd Street, Manhattan, NYC is strategically located with excellent transportation options. It is directly accessible via the 4-5-6-S subway lines, offering a significant advantage with 45.7 million average annual ridership. The property is situated between Park Avenue and Lexington Avenue, providing easy access to surrounding amenities and business districts.