| Bulding Address: | 17-19 W 34th St, New York NY 10001 |
| Building Name: | The Martin Building |
| Building Alternate address: | 17-19 W 34th St |
| Zip Code: | 10001 |
| Neighborhood: | Penn Plaza/Garment |
| Borough: | Manhattan |
| Stories: | 14 |
| Year Built: | 1907 |
| Building Class: | B |
| Block & lot: | 00836-0020 |
The History of 17-19 West 34th Street, Manhattan, NYC
The site of 17-19 West 34th Street was originally occupied by two impressive brownstone mansions owned by James W. Pryor and Henry P. Loomis. Located mid-block between Fifth and Sixth Avenues, these mansions faced increasing pressure from expanding retail development in the early 20th century.
In 1905, the mansion at 17 West 34th Street was replaced by an 11-story store and loft building designed by architect Francis A. Minuth, commissioned by the prestigious furrier Revillon Frères. The limestone-clad structure featured Italian Renaissance-inspired architecture enriched with Beaux Arts decorative elements such as foliage-carved spandrels and carved bands between floors. Its two-story base was accented with shallow limestone bands, giving a refined and elegant street presence.
Shortly after opening, the building was expanded westward by acquiring the adjacent Loomis mansion, constructing a matching extension that unified the frontage. Notable details of the building include four carved faces beneath an openwork balustrade on the 35th Street side and exquisitely carved oak leaves and acorns in the 35th Street entrance spandrels, along with ornamental ironwork that highlighted the building’s original appearance.
The wealth of Revillon Frères’ clientele was reflected in the building’s luxury amenities, including cold storage for furs and other high-end items. However, the company eventually relocated uptown. By 1912, negotiations were underway to sublease the building, and by 1918 Revillon Frères had moved to Fifth Avenue and 53rd Street.
After Revillon Frères’ departure, the building became home to the Bedell Company, a women’s cloak and suit store, alongside wholesale garment dealers on the upper floors, reflecting the neighborhood's growing role as a center for retail and garment industries.
The building's façade on West 34th Street underwent several changes through the decades. Joseph Urban designed an Art Deco retail façade in the 1920s, which was later demolished by the 1940s and replaced by a more utilitarian façade under Lerner Shops. In the 21st century, the block experienced a renaissance with renovations by national retailers restoring and modifying the original character of the building’s storefronts, including a two-story bowed section entrance reminiscent of Urban’s design.
Today, 17-19 West 34th Street is known as The Martin Building. It stands as a testament to the evolution of Midtown Manhattan from exclusive residential mansions to a bustling commercial and retail district shaped by early 20th-century architectural trends and business growth.
The Martin Building is located at 17-19 West 34th Street, New York, NY 10001. It is situated in the Penn Plaza/Garment and sometimes referred to as part of Koreatown. The building was originally constructed in 1907 and has undergone alterations, with the most recent being in 1929. It stands at 14 stories high and is classified as an Office with Commercial (O6) building. The total square footage of The Martin Building is approximately 193,957 square feet. Historically, it has been home to various commercial tenants, including long-term retail occupants like Banana Republic.
Amenities at 17-19 West 34th Street, Manhattan, NYC
The Martin Building, located at 17-19 West 34th Street in the Penn Plaza/Garment District neighborhood of Manhattan, is a 14-story Class B commercial building originally built in 1907.
Building Features
- 14 stories with 43 units
- Class B building
- Two passenger elevators
Location Benefits
- Close proximity to major transit hubs, including Herald Square (2-minute walk), Penn Station (5-minute walk), Grand Central Station (10-minute walk), and 33rd Street subway station (1-minute walk)
- Nearby shopping options such as Macy's, Uniqlo, Amazon Books, Target, CVS, Staples, and B&H Photo & Video
- Wide selection of dining options including Starbucks, Keens Steak House, Sushi Sennin, Just Salad, Shake Shack, Stout NYC, Takumi Taco, and Wafels & Dinges
Office Tenants at 17-19 West 34th Street
- AGS Health
- Symphony Talent
- Showroom 35
- Visiongain
- Atlantic Group (3,300 SF)
- Cejon (19,055 SF)
- PatientPoint (19,093 SF on 12th floor)
- Centric Brands (15,277 SF on 6th floor)
- Practice for Architecture Urbanism - PAU (4,289 SF on 10th floor)
Total building size: 247,460 SF across 14 floors
Internet Providers at 17-19 W 34th St, Manhattan, NYC
The following internet service providers are available at 17-19 West 34th Street, Manhattan, New York City:
- Verizon Fios: Offers fiber-optic internet with speeds starting at 300 Mbps up to 2.3 Gbps, known for reliable service and high customer satisfaction.
- Astound Broadband (formerly RCN): Provides cable and fiber internet options with speeds up to 1.5 Gbps, known for competitive pricing and unlimited data plans.
- Spectrum: Cable internet with coverage throughout Manhattan, offering speeds up to 1 Gbps and popular for bundled deals.
Other providers available in the general Midtown Manhattan area, which includes 17-19 W 34th St, include:
- T-Mobile Home Internet: Fixed wireless option with speeds up to 100 Mbps and wide coverage in Midtown.
- Starry Internet: Fixed wireless with speeds up to 1 Gbps available in some parts of Manhattan.
- Satellite options like HughesNet and Viasat are also accessible citywide though generally with lower speeds.
Transportation Near 17-19 W 34th St, Manhattan, NYC
Located in Midtown Manhattan within the Penn Plaza/Garment District neighborhood, 17-19 West 34th Street benefits from excellent transportation options.
Subway Stations
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34th Street–Herald Square Station:
Intersection of West 34th Street, Broadway & Sixth Avenue. Served by trains: B (weekdays), D, F, M, N, Q, R, W. This station is a major subway hub with multiple lines and accessible facilities.
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34th Street–Penn Station (IRT Broadway–Seventh Avenue Line):
Located at West 34th Street & Seventh Avenue. Served by trains 1, 2, and 3, providing local and express service. It connects to Amtrak, LIRR, NJ Transit at Pennsylvania Station.
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33rd Street Station: One minute walk from 17-19 W 34th St, served by the 6 train.
Nearby Transit Hubs
- Penn Station: 5-minute walk from the address, major train hub for Amtrak, Long Island Rail Road (LIRR), and New Jersey Transit (NJT).
- Herald Square: 2-minute walk, serves as a key subway transfer location.
- Grand Central Terminal: Approximately 10-minute walk for Metro-North Railroad and subway connections.
Major Cross Streets
- West 34th Street
- Broadway
- Seventh Avenue
- Sixth Avenue (Avenue of the Americas)
- West 33rd Street
- West 35th Street
