Rent Office 183 Madison Avenue

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.

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.