| Bulding Address: | 421 Seventh Ave, New York NY 10001 |
| Building Name: | Sports Plaza Building |
| Building Alternate address: | 421 7th Ave |
| Zip Code: | 10001 |
| Neighborhood: | Penn Plaza/Garment |
| Borough: | Manhattan |
| Stories: | 0 |
| Year Built: | 1922 |
| Building Class: | B |
| Block & lot: | 00809-0001 |
History of 421 Seventh Avenue, Manhattan, NYC
421 Seventh Avenue, located at the northeast corner of Seventh Avenue and 33rd Street in Manhattan, was completed in 1927. The building was designed by architect William Van Alen, who was independently hired by the Childs Real Estate Company, a sister business of the Childs Unique Dairy Company known for its early restaurant chains in the United States. Van Alen, who later famously designed the Chrysler Building, had previously worked with Childs on a nearby project at 377 Fifth Avenue.
The 14-story office building initially housed a diverse group of tenants including the Cutler Realty Co., the New York offices of the National Highway Users Conference, the Diamond Die Company of America, and the National Radio Associates. In 1928, tenants also included CoMo Modes, Inc., a company following a direct sales model employing housewives to market dresses from their homes.
In 1945, the Childs Real Estate Company sold the property to Arnold Gumowitz but retained the lease for its restaurant space. Throughout the mid-20th century, it continued to accommodate a range of offices such as real estate firms, medical professionals, export companies, and civil liberties organizations like the Emergency Civil Liberties Committee and the group Youth Against the House Un-American Activities Committee, reflecting the building's connection to notable political and social movements.
By 1980, a large billboard was installed, significantly obscuring Van Alen's architectural design, with further signage and awnings altering the building's original appearance. Later tenants included the National Jewish Center for Learning and Leadership and the Jewish American Society for Historic Preservation.
From 2012, the building was home to the Houdini Museum of New York on its third floor, a unique attraction embedded within a magic shop headquarters producing trick cards, coins, and other magical paraphernalia.
421 Seventh Avenue is a historic office building located in Manhattan, NYC. It was originally constructed in 1926 and designed by architect William Van Alen, featuring a cautious Art Deco design with a steel-frame construction that allows for extensive use of glass in its upper floors.
The building is situated at the corner of Seventh Avenue and West 33rd Street, directly across from Penn Station and Madison Square Garden. Its location provides excellent pedestrian access and visibility, making it a prime spot in Midtown.
Over the years, the building has housed a diverse range of tenants, including real estate companies, medical offices, and civil liberties organizations. Notably, it once included the Houdini Museum of New York.
Today, the building is part of a vibrant neighborhood with significant commercial and retail activity. Despite its age, the area remains popular due to its proximity to major transportation hubs and attractions like Penn Station and Times Square.
Amenities at 421 Seventh Avenue, Manhattan, NYC
421 Seventh Avenue is a Class B office building originally built in 1926, featuring a total of 67,114 square feet of office and retail space over 15 stories.
The building offers a 24/7 attended lobby providing secure and convenient access at all hours, and tenant-controlled HVAC systems for personalized climate comfort.
Office spaces boast loft-style designs with high ceilings (approximately 11 feet) and abundant natural light from large windows that provide open views, enhancing the workspace environment.
Other features include freight elevators, renovated common corridors, and open-plan layouts that support flexible office configurations and move-in ready conditions.
Its prime Midtown location provides excellent connectivity, being steps from Penn Station and multiple subway lines (ACEQRNDBF and others), alongside proximity to various retail and dining options on the ground floor.
The building integrates modern mechanical systems and maintains a balance of original architectural character with contemporary office needs.
421 Seventh Avenue, Manhattan, NYC
Office Tenants Rented / Leased
Current Office Space Overview
421 Seventh Avenue is a Class B, 15-story office building located in the Penn Plaza/Garment neighborhood of Manhattan, built in 1926. The building totals approximately 67,114 square feet, with around 2,475 square feet currently available for lease, divided into two spaces including retail and restaurant uses on the ground floor.
Leased office spaces include a 1,247 square foot loft-style corner unit on the 14th floor featuring high ceilings, abundant natural light, tenant-controlled HVAC, and 24/7 attended lobby access. This suite offers excellent views and is move-in ready with options for tenant-specific improvements.
Notable Historical Tenants
- Cutler Realty Co.
- National Highway Users Conference (New York offices)
- Diamond Die Company of America
- National Radio Associates
- CoMo Modes, Inc. (sales agency)
- Emergency Civil Liberties Committee (1940s–Cold War era)
- National Jewish Center for Learning and Leadership (1980s)
- Jewish American Society for Historic Preservation (2017)
- Houdini Museum of New York (opened 2012, 3rd floor)
General Features of the Leased Office Spaces
- Ceiling Height: 11 feet
- Loft Style Layout with Open Plan and Open Views
- Carpet Flooring
- Freight Elevator Access
- Tenant-controlled HVAC system
- 24/7 Attended Lobby
- Location Advantage: Steps from Penn Station, LIRR, and multiple subway lines (ACEQRNDBF and 239)
Neighborhood and Accessibility
421 Seventh Avenue is situated in Chelsea, Manhattan, within walking distance of multiple key transit points such as 34th Street–Penn Station, 33rd Street subway, and Herald Square. The area scores extremely high on walkability, transit, and bike accessibility.
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421 Seventh Ave, Manhattan, NYC - Transportation and Cross Streets
421 Seventh Avenue is located in Midtown Manhattan, near the vibrant intersection of 7th Avenue and 33rd to 34th Streets.
Nearby Cross Streets: West 33rd Street, West 34th Street
Subway Access
- 34th Street–Penn Station (2 minutes walk) – serving 1, 2, 3, A, C, E lines
- 28th Street (6 minutes walk) – serving 1 line
- 33rd Street (4 minutes walk) – serving 6 line
- 34th Street–Herald Square (4 minutes walk) – serving B, D, F, M, N, Q, R, W lines
- 42nd Street–Times Square (9 minutes walk) – serving 1, 2, 3, 7, N, Q, R, W, S lines
Bus Routes Nearby
- M104
- M20
- QM10
- 320
- 50TH ST
Train and Commuter Rail Access
- Long Island Rail Road (LIRR) at Penn Station
- Metro-North via Grand Central (nearby)
- PATH trains from New Jersey at nearby transit hubs
Notable Transit Hubs Nearby
- Penn Station – major Amtrak, LIRR, NJ Transit hub
- Port Authority Bus Terminal (within walking distance)
- Grand Central Station (nearby, connected via subway and LIRR terminal)
Walking access to numerous bus stops and subway entrances along 7th Avenue and cross streets including West 32nd, 33rd, 34th, 37th, and 42nd Streets.
