| Bulding Address: | 20 West 44th Street, New York NY 10036 |
| Building Alternate address: | 20 W 44th St |
| Zip Code: | 10036 |
| Neighborhood: | Times Square |
| Borough: | Manhattan |
| Stories: | 7 |
| Year Built: | 1900 |
| Building Class: | B |
20 West 44th Street, Manhattan, NYC
This historic building is home to the General Society of Mechanics and Tradesmen of the City of New York, an educational and cultural association founded on November 17, 1785. The site itself was previously the Berkeley School for Boys, built in 1890 by the architectural firm Lamb & Rich in a Renaissance Revival style.
In 1899, the General Society acquired this four-story building and, in 1903, expanded it with significant funding from Andrew Carnegie. Architect Ralph S. Townsend designed the expansion, adding two floors and rear wings, blending Beaux-Arts classicism with Renaissance elements.
The building is a New York City Landmark and listed on the National Register of Historic Places. It houses the Mechanics Institute, which provides tuition-free technical education and has become the oldest privately-endowed technical school in New York City.
Recent restoration work has focused on maintaining the building's historic integrity while ensuring continued use for educational purposes.
20 West 44th Street, Manhattan, New York City is home to the General Society of Mechanics and Tradesmen of the City of New York. This educational and cultural association has been located here since 1899. The building is a New York City landmark and on the National Register of Historic Places.
20 West 44th Street in Manhattan, NYC, is home to The General Society of Mechanics and Tradesmen, a historic institution offering educational programs and library services.
Building Amenities:
• Historic Library: The main reading room features a three-story high ceiling with a magnificent skylight, faux marble pillars, ironwork, and wooden shelving.
• Classrooms: 16 spacious classrooms suitable for lectures, classes, receptions, and more.
• Conference Space: Available for various events and cultural programs.
• Architectural Features: The building combines yellow Roman brick, terra cotta, and Indiana limestone with a partial reproduction of the Parthenon frieze at the front entrance.
• Accessibility: Not fully wheelchair accessible.
20 West 44th Street, Manhattan, NYC, is primarily occupied by the General Society of Mechanics and Tradesmen, an educational and cultural association. The building serves as a library and educational facility rather than a traditional office space with diverse tenants. It offers areas for rent, including classrooms and conference spaces, suitable for various events.
Internet providers available at 20 West 44th Street, Manhattan, NYC include:
- Verizon: Offers Fios with speeds up to 2.3 Gbps.
- Spectrum: Provides cable services with speeds up to 1 Gbps.
20 West 44th Street, located in Manhattan, NYC, is easily accessible by various public transportation options:
Subway: The nearest subway stations include (1-minute walk) and (6-minute walk). Subway lines available nearby are .
Bus: Bus routes that pass nearby include . The closest bus stop is just a short walk away.
Train: For those coming from further afield, Metro-North Railroad offers services on the , with Grand Central Station within walking distance.
Cross Streets: 20 West 44th Street is situated between and , offering easy access to nearby attractions.
The location is also home to notable organizations such as The General Society of Mechanics & Tradesmen and The Horological Society of New York.
For planning your trip, services like provide real-time schedules and directions.
