| Bulding Address: | 183 Madison Ave, New York NY 10016 |
| Building Name: | Madison Belmont Building |
| Building Alternate address: | 183 Madison Ave |
| Zip Code: | 10016 |
| Neighborhood: | Murray Hill |
| Borough: | Manhattan |
| Stories: | 19 |
| Year Built: | 1925 |
| Building Class: | B |
| Block & lot: | 00863-0060 |
History of 183 Madison Avenue, Manhattan, NYC
183 Madison Avenue, known as the Madison Belmont Building, is a historically significant office building located at the southeast corner of Madison Avenue and 34th Street in the Murray Hill neighborhood of Manhattan, New York City. Completed in 1925, it was designed by the prominent architectural firm Warren & Wetmore, known for their work in the Beaux-Arts and Neoclassical styles. This building is notable for its transitional architectural style that blends Neoclassical design with early modern and Art Deco influences, reflecting the evolving architectural trends of the 1920s.
The building was originally constructed for the Merchants & Manufacturers Exchange of New York, led by Robert M. Catts, and intended as a showroom and office space for silk companies in Midtown Manhattan’s developing Silk District. This district had migrated northward from lower Park Avenue South by the early 1920s. High-end silk manufacturer Cheney Brothers was among the first and primary tenants, occupying the lower showroom floors for a long-term lease. The distinctive iron-and-bronze showroom frames, grilles, and entrance doors on Madison Avenue were crafted by Edgar Brandt, a pioneer in the Art Deco style from Paris, who worked closely with Cheney Brothers due to their established design relationship. The building’s lobby is richly decorated with marble and bronze finishes and features a vaulted ceiling, complemented by a grand cornice and terracotta architectural ornamentation on the upper stories.
Architecturally, the building's façade is composed of a base, shaft, and capital, similar to a classical column. The base includes the elaborate showroom windows and entrances with metalwork by Brandt, the shaft encompasses brick piers with recessed window bays and decorative spandrels, while the upper stories are capped with terracotta details and a prominent cornice. The Madison Belmont Building is a designated New York City landmark, with both its exterior and the first-floor interior landmarked since 2011 due to their architectural and historical significance.
The building’s location at Madison Avenue and 34th Street offers excellent access to major transportation hubs including Herald Square and multiple subway lines, making it a convenient office location. Over the years, 183 Madison Avenue has transitioned from a specialized silk showroom into Class A office space, attracting a diverse array of tenants in creative industries such as media, architecture, advertising, and design. Ownership has changed hands, with APF Properties acquiring it in 2018, who have restored and enhanced the building while preserving its historic character.
Today, 183 Madison Avenue stands as an iconic example of early 20th-century commercial architecture in Midtown Manhattan, combining historic craftsmanship with modern amenities, and reflecting the dynamic commercial evolution of Manhattan’s Silk District into a thriving office and retail neighborhood.
Madison Belmont Building
183 Madison Avenue, Manhattan, New York City
The Madison Belmont Building, also known as 183 Madison Avenue, is a landmarked commercial office building located at the southeast corner of Madison Avenue and 34th Street in the Murray Hill neighborhood of Manhattan, NYC.
General Information
- Architectural Style: Neoclassical with Art Deco influences
- Architects: Warren & Wetmore
- Year Built: 1924-1925
- Height: 228 feet (69 meters)
- Stories: Originally 17; an additional mechanical/commercial floor added in 1953, totaling 18 floors
- Floor Area: Approximately 233,484 square feet (21,691.4 m²)
- Commercial Units: 30 units
Architecture & Design
The building features a traditional three-part vertical division similar to a classical column: a base, shaft, and capital. The base consists of the first three stories with ornamental iron-and-bronze showroom frames, grilles, and doors designed by French ironworker Edgar Brandt, representing one of the earliest uses of Art Deco in the US.
The shaft's facade showcases brick piers with recessed bays containing windows and spandrels. The upper stories are decorated with architectural terracotta ornamentation topped by a large cornice.
The lobby is finished in bronze and marble, with a vaulted ceiling and notable Art Deco details, including murals, engravings, gilded lamps and bronze elevator doors reflecting an eclectic blend of old-world flair and modern design.
Location & Site Details
Situated in Midtown South's Murray Hill neighborhood, the building occupies an "L"-shaped lot running 49.4 feet along Madison Avenue, 153.2 feet along 34th Street, with additional frontage on 33rd Street. It carries alternate addresses 31 East 33rd Street and 44–46 East 34th Street.
The location offers excellent transit connectivity, being close to both Grand Central Terminal and Penn Station, and within walking distance to multiple subway lines such as 33rd Street (6 train) and Herald Square (B, D, F, M trains).
Current Usage
Today, 183 Madison Avenue hosts a variety of tenants primarily in creative industries such as media, architecture, advertising, and marketing. The building combines historic pre-war Art Deco charm with modern office amenities including high ceilings, column-free spaces, abundant natural light from oversized windows, and a recently restored lobby.
Landmark Status
The exterior and first floor interior are designated New York City landmarks as of 2011, preserving the building's architectural and historic significance.
Building Amenities at 183 Madison Avenue, Manhattan, NYC
183 Madison Avenue is a meticulously restored Art Deco pre-war office building that combines historic charm with modern features.
- Landmarked Art Deco façade with ornate masonry, stone, and metalwork
- Spectacularly restored historic lobby featuring marble walls, gold leaf filigree, murals, bronze elevator doors, and vaulted ceilings
- New construction features including high ceilings (12'–14'), column-free office space, and large 54-inch double-glazed aluminum-framed windows for abundant natural light
- Tenant Amenity Center with large conference room, pantry, free coffee and snacks, lounge seating, and private telephone room
- 24/7 attended lobby with state-of-the-art security including CCTV and digital cameras
- Modernized common areas, elevators, electrical systems, and upgraded HVAC with Trane centrifugal chiller and rooftop cooling tower
- Steel and concrete construction with energy-efficient design certified by Energy Star
- Wired Score Gold certification with multiple high-speed internet and fiber providers including Spectrum, Verizon, Altice, CenturyLink, and Crown Castle
- Convenient Midtown South location at Madison Avenue and 34th Street, minutes from Grand Central Terminal and Penn Station, with easy access to multiple subway and bus lines
183 Madison Avenue, a historic Art Deco building in Manhattan, houses various office tenants primarily in creative industries such as media, architecture, advertising, and marketing. Notable tenants include Jacobs Associates, WeWork, Alumni Ventures, Tardis Group, and others.
The building, originally known as the Madison Belmont Building, offers a blend of old-world charm with modern amenities, making it a desirable location for businesses in the area.
Internet providers available at 183 Madison Ave, Manhattan, NYC, include:
- Verizon Fios: Offers high-speed fiber internet with speeds up to 2.3 Gbps. Plans start at $49.99/month.
- Astound Broadband Powered by RCN: Provides both cable and fiber options with speeds up to 1.5 Gbps. Plans start at $35/month.
- Spectrum: Offers cable internet with speeds up to 1 Gbps. Plans start at $50/month.
Availability may vary based on the specific location within the building.
183 Madison Avenue, Manhattan, NYC
Cross Streets: 34th Street and Madison Avenue
Location: Midtown South, equidistant to Penn Station and Grand Central Terminal
Public Transportation
The nearest subway station is 33rd Street, approximately a 4-minute walk from 183 Madison Avenue. This station serves the 6 train and the 6X express train.
Nearby subway lines also include B, D, F, M, R, and 4 trains accessible at close stations like Herald Square (34th Street) and others within a short walking distance.
Additional nearby subway stations include:
- 34 St - Herald Square (B, D, F, M, N, Q, R, W trains)
- 28th Street Station (R, W trains), approximately 7 minutes walk
Bus stops within a 1-3 minute walk include:
- E 34th St & Madison Ave
- E 34 St / Park Ave
- Madison Ave & E 33rd St
- Madison Ave & E 34th St
- Madison Ave & E 35th St
- Madison Ave & E 36th St
Bus lines serving the area include M34-SBS, M34A-SBS, BXM4, and others along 34th Street and Madison Avenue corridors.
The building is well-connected for commuters with 24/7 access and is central to a variety of transit options for easy travel throughout Manhattan and beyond.
