History of 232 Madison Avenue, Manhattan, NYC
232 Madison Avenue is a 16-story Neo-Gothic office building completed in 1925, designed by the architectural firm Polhemus & Coffin. It stands at the northwest corner of Madison Avenue and East 37th Street in the Midtown Manhattan neighborhood.
The site was formerly the location of a four-story brick residence owned by Helen Hartley Jenkins, daughter of multi-millionaire Marcellus Hartley. As the Murray Hill area transitioned from a high-end residential district to a busy commercial hub in the early 1920s, the mansion was demolished to make way for the new building. Construction began after Helen Jenkins leased the property to real estate operators Arthur Greenbaum and Nathan Wilson in 1924, with the building completed by early 1926.
The building was originally intended to house firms related to the silk industry, reflecting the neighborhood's role as a silk industry center. However, by the early 1930s, the shift away from silk was evident as advertising and publishing companies became the primary tenants. Notable early tenants included Edwin Alendelson Advertising and Farrar & Rinehart publishers.
Architecturally, 232 Madison Avenue represents a successful blend of Gothic and Art Deco styles. The facade features a two-story stone base with large show windows separated by faceted engaged columns topped with medieval capitals, creating the visual effect of pointed Gothic arches. Above the base, cream-colored brick and angled piers emphasize verticality, with Art Deco buttresses and Gothic motifs such as quatrefoils and heraldic shields adding distinctive character.
The building's facade has remained largely intact since its completion, including the original ground floor storefront entrances and architectural detailing. Interior modernizations have been undertaken over time, notably a renovation in 2009 that carefully preserved the unusual Deco-Gothic blend while updating windows, elevators, and hallways. The facade underwent a full restoration in 2015 to maintain its historic appearance.
Over the decades, the tenant mix evolved from silk companies to publishing, advertising, and diverse commercial uses. By the mid-20th century, it housed mostly publishing and advertising offices, with the ground floor used for various retail and service purposes, including a reading room for the First Church of Christ, Scientist. Today, it remains a prominent office building with notable views of the Empire State Building and Madison Avenue.
232 Madison Avenue, Manhattan, NYC Office Tenants
The building at 232 Madison Avenue in Manhattan's Murray Hill area is home to a diverse group of tenants, including:
- Russian Standard Vodka
- InfoPro Digital USA
- Premier Technology Solutions
- Princeton International Properties
- Mohr Partners
- The First National Bank of Long Island
- Maple Press
This historic site was initially a hub for the silk industry and later evolved into a creative office space, blending architectural charm with modern functionality.
232 Madison Avenue, Manhattan, NYC
Location & Cross Streets
232 Madison Avenue is located in the Murray Hill neighborhood of Manhattan, near the intersection of Madison Avenue and East 40th Street.
Nearby Cross Streets
- Madison Avenue & East 33rd Street
- Madison Avenue & East 38th Street
- Madison Avenue & East 39th Street
- Madison Avenue & East 40th Street
- Madison Avenue & East 41st Street
- East 42nd Street & Madison Avenue
- 5th Avenue & East 40th Street
Transportation Options
Convenient access to multiple subway lines is available within walking distance:
- Subway Lines: B, D, F, M (Herald Square - ~8 minutes walk)
- Subway Lines: 4, 5, 6, 7 (Grand Central Station - ~5 minutes walk)
Additional subway lines within proximity include the N, R, S, and 6X lines near Madison Avenue and 42nd Street.
Grand Central Terminal provides access to:
- Metro-North Railroad
- Amtrak
Bus Services Near 232 Madison Avenue
- BM2, BM5, BXM4
- M15-SBS, M42, M55
- Q32, QM40
Nearby Bus Stops
- Madison Av/E 40 St (1 min walk)
- Madison Av/E 39 St (2 min walk)
- Madison Av/E 42 St (2 min walk)
- East 42nd St & Madison Ave (2 min walk)
