| Building Address: | 18-20 East 50th Street, New York NY 10022 |
| Building Alternate Address: | 18-20 E 50th St |
| Zip Code: | 10022 |
| Neighborhood: | Plaza District |
| Borough: | Manhattan |
| Stories: | 0 |
| Year Built: | 1915 |
| Building Class: | B |
18 East 50th Street, also known as the Hampton Shops Building and the New York Health & Racquet Club Building, is an office building located in the Midtown Manhattan neighborhood of New York City. It sits on the south side of 50th Street, between Fifth Avenue and Madison Avenue. The building was designed by architects William Lawrence Rouse, Lafayette Anthony Goldstone, and Joseph L. Steinam and was constructed from June 1915 to March 1916.
The building is designed in the Neo-Gothic or Perpendicular Gothic architectural style, chosen to complement the nearby St. Patrick's Cathedral complex. It is an 11-story structure with a facade of grey terracotta that resembles granite. Notably, the building has no setbacks, as it was built just before the 1916 zoning resolution that introduced setback requirements. The design was praised for its verticality and elegance, harmonizing well with its surroundings.
The Hampton Shops, originally founded in the early 1860s as the Grand Rapids Furniture Company, specialized in traditionally styled furniture. The company leased the site in 1914 and commissioned the construction of the building as a showroom for its products. Hampton Shops operated there until it declared bankruptcy in 1938. Afterward, the building was subdivided and leased to various tenants in the art and design industries.
Over time, 18 East 50th Street also housed diverse tenants including the National Advertising Service, the executive offices of the television studio Filmways, George Nelson & Company Industrial Design, and served as headquarters for the Roman Catholic Archdiocese of New York's school system.
In 1977, the building was acquired by Pamela Equities, later known as Pan-Am Equities, which operated the New York Health & Racquet Club. Part of the building's interior was converted to club space, and the facade was renovated with new glass storefronts and an awning, leading to the building's alternative name as the New York Health & Racquet Club Building.
Recognizing its architectural and historical significance, the New York City Landmarks Preservation Commission designated 18 East 50th Street as an official city landmark on November 22, 2016, as part of a group of buildings protected in East Midtown Manhattan.
18 East 50th Street, Manhattan, NYC
Also known as the Hampton Shops Building and the New York Health & Racquet Club Building, 18 East 50th Street is a notable office building located in Midtown Manhattan, New York City.
The building sits on the south side of 50th Street between Fifth Avenue and Madison Avenue, in the Central Midtown neighborhood.
Architectural and Structural Details
- Architectural Style: Neo-Gothic (Perpendicular Gothic)
- Architects: William Lawrence Rouse, Lafayette Anthony Goldstone, Joseph L. Steinam
- Construction Started: 1915
- Completed: 1916
- Building Height: 11 stories (12 including mezzanine)
- Facade: Grey terracotta resembling granite
- No setbacks due to pre-1916 zoning ordinance design
Site Information
The land lot is approximately 5,640 square feet, with a frontage of 56.4 feet along 50th Street and a depth of 100 feet.
Nearby landmarks include Saks Fifth Avenue to the west, St. Patrick's Cathedral to the north, 444 Madison Avenue to the east, Tower 49 to the south, the Lotte New York Palace Hotel, Villard Houses, and Rockefeller Center within close proximity.
Historical Context
The building was originally constructed for the Hampton Shops, a furniture retailer established in the early 1860s. The site was leased in 1914, with construction completed in 1916. After the Hampton Shops went bankrupt in 1938, the building was subdivided for art and design businesses.
Current Use & Size
The building is classified as office space with some commercial use, totaling approximately 58,342 square feet of floor area.
The property remains a recognized New York City Landmark since its designation on November 22, 2016.
18-20 East 50th Street, Manhattan, NYC, is known for its historical significance rather than extensive modernassistant
18-20 East 50th Street, Manhattan, NYC, is known for its historical significance rather than extensive modern amenities. The building features:
- Historic Neo-Gothic Architecture with a unique design that complements St. Patrick's Cathedral.
- 11-Story Structure without setbacks, typical of pre-1916 zoning regulations.
- Grey Terracotta Facade resembling granite.
- Formerly a prominent furniture store, later used by the New York Health & Racquet Club and various art and design businesses.
18-20 East 50th Street, located in Manhattan's Plaza District, is an office building with a rich history. The property, also known as the Hampton Shops Building and the New York Health & Racquet Club Building, features a Neo-Gothic or Perpendicular Gothic architectural style and is situated between Fifth and Madison Avenues.
Originally constructed from 1915 to 1916, this 11-story building has served various purposes over the years. It was once home to Hampton Shops, which sold traditionally-styled furniture. After Hampton Shops went bankrupt in 1938, the building was divided and leased to art and design businesses.
Historically, notable tenants included the National Advertising Service and the executive offices of television studio Filmways. Additionally, it housed George Nelson & Company Industrial Design. The building also served as the headquarters for the Roman Catholic Archdiocese of New York's school system.
In 1977, the building was sold to Pamela Equities, which operated the New York Health & Racquet Club, transforming part of the interior for club use. The building was designated as a New York City landmark in November 2016.
Currently, the building offers various commercial spaces for lease, including retail areas on the ground floor, mezzanine, and lower level.
Notable historical tenants include:
- National Advertising Service
- Executive offices of Filmways
- George Nelson & Company Industrial Design
- Bill Castleberry, president of Zebra Associates
- Roman Catholic Archdiocese of New York's school system
- New York Health & Racquet Club
Internet Providers at 18-20 East 50th Street, Manhattan, NYC
The following internet service providers offer coverage in the vicinity of 18-20 East 50th Street, Manhattan, NY:
Verizon Fios
Verizon Fios provides fiber-optic internet with speeds ranging from 300 Mbps up to 2.3 Gbps. It covers approximately 85% of Manhattan, including Midtown areas near East 50th Street. Verizon offers plans starting around $49.99 per month and bundles with TV and phone services are available.
Spectrum
Spectrum cable and fiber internet is widely available across Manhattan with speeds up to 1 Gbps. Plans start near $30-$50 per month, with options for TV and phone bundles including perks like Disney+.
Astound Broadband (formerly RCN)
Astound Broadband offers both cable and fiber internet with speeds up to 1.5 Gbps. It covers much of Manhattan, including the Midtown area, with plans starting around $35 per month and includes unlimited data usage.
T-Mobile Home Internet
T-Mobile provides 5G internet service with typical download speeds ranging from about 87 Mbps to 415 Mbps in NYC. Coverage reaches a significant portion of Manhattan, including Midtown.
Additional Providers
Other options include satellite internet from HughesNet and Viasat, which are widely available but generally slower and more expensive, and fixed wireless providers like XNET WiFi and Starry Internet with more limited coverage.
Located at 18-20 East 50th Street, Manhattan, this address offers convenient access to various modes of transportation in New York City.
Nearest Subway Station: The closest subway stations include:
- 50th Street Station (IND Eighth Avenue and Queens Boulevard Lines) - accessible via the E train and located at West 50th Street & Eighth Avenue.
- 50th Street Station (IRT Broadway–Seventh Avenue Line) - accessible via the 1 and 2 trains during late nights, located at West 50th Street & Broadway.
Cross Streets: Park Avenue and Madison Avenue are nearby cross streets, offering a blend of commercial and residential areas.
Public Transportation Options: MTA Bus: M1, M2, M3, M4, M50; NYCT Bus: M7, M20, M50, M104; and MTA Bus: BxM2.
