Rent Office 53-55 West 21st Street

History of 53-55 West 21st Street, Manhattan, NYC

The building at 53-55 West 21st Street was completed in 1902, designed by architect Mortimer C. Merritt in a Renaissance-revival style. It was originally constructed as a china and glass emporium for Higgins & Seiter, a firm established after the Civil War by Colonel Charles Jacob Seiter and the Higgins brothers. Higgins & Seiter was renowned for importing the finest home items from Europe and operated a store with adjoining lofts on this site, where they brought together three adjacent brick homes to create their six-story facility.

By 1915, following financial difficulties, Higgins & Seiter filed for bankruptcy, and the building was taken over by William R. Noe & Sons. Under their ownership, the building was repurposed into a large factory producing lamp parts, shades, and illuminating glassware throughout the 1920s. On February 1, 1928, A. I. Shiplakoff purchased the property for $125,000, after which it served as space for small manufacturers during the Great Depression and became the headquarters for the Pocketbook Workers’ Union, which notably led labor strikes in the 1930s.

During the mid-20th century, the area known as the Ladies’ Mile, including this building, experienced decline and neglect. However, the late 20th century brought renewed interest and revitalization. In 1992, the first floor of 53-55 West 21st Street was converted into a dining establishment, while the upper floors and original architectural elements designed by Merritt remained largely intact, preserving the buff-colored brick, terra cotta, and stone facade that mark its historic character.

Today, the building stands as a fine example of early 20th-century commercial architecture in Manhattan’s Flatiron District, with its original Renaissance-revival design largely preserved despite changes in use over more than a century.

53-55 West 21st Street

Address: 53-55 W 21st St, Flatiron District, Manhattan, 10010, New York, USA

Neighborhood: Chelsea / Flatiron District

Borough: Manhattan

Building Class: B

Stories: 6

Year Built: 1910

Year Last Altered: 1989

Building Size: Approximately 32,000 sq ft total

Lot Size: Approx. 4,550 sq ft

Construction Type: Predominantly Retail with Other Uses (K4)

Historical Style: Renaissance Revival

Key Features:

• High ceilings and spacious open loft layouts
• Large windows providing abundant natural light
• Polished hardwood floors and exposed beamed ceilings in office suites
• Sound-damped internal core-side meeting rooms
• Modern amenities including furnished spaces and wired with workstations

Location Highlights:

• Prime Midtown South office district between Chelsea, Gramercy Park, and Nomad
• Close to Flatiron Building and Madison Square Park
• Convenient access to multiple subway lines: 18 St (1,2), 23 St (1,2,F,N,R), PATH
• Near commuter rail stations and major airports (LaGuardia, JFK, Newark)

53-55 W 21st St, Manhattan, NYC

Located in the heart of the Flatiron District, this office building provides a unique blend of historic charm and modern amenities.

Building Features

• Year Built: 1902, with a Renaissance-revival design
• Total Property Size: 24,174 square feet
• Currently Available Space: 10,000 square feet
• Multi-Tenant Office Building
• High ceilings, spacious open lofts, and large windows offering abundant natural light

Location Highlights

• Situated between Chelsea, Gramercy Park, and Nomad
• Close proximity to Madison Square Park and Union Square
• Excellent public transportation with multiple subway stations nearby

Amenities

• Polished Chevron hardwood floors and high exposed beamed ceilings
• Elegant Roman columns and brick wall accents
• Sound-damped internal core meeting room
• Spacious kitchen with stainless steel appliances

Surrounding Attractions

• Flatiron Building and surrounding vibrant nightlife and dining options
• Access to major educational institutions and cultural landmarks

Internet Providers at 53-55 W 21st St, Manhattan, NYC

The following internet service providers offer coverage and plans for 53-55 West 21st Street, located in the Flatiron District of Manhattan, NYC:

• Verizon Fios: Known for fiber-optic internet with speeds up to 2 Gbps. It is recognized for reliable service and competitive pricing.
• Astound Broadband Powered by RCN: Offers both cable and fiber options, providing competitive pricing and unlimited data usage.
• Spectrum: Provides cable and fiber internet with speeds up to 1 Gbps, popular for its broad coverage in Manhattan.

These providers support high-speed internet suitable for streaming, gaming, video conferencing, and other demanding applications in this Manhattan location.

53-55 West 21st Street, Manhattan, NYC

Location and Cross Streets

The building is located in the Flatiron District of Manhattan, NYC, between the neighborhoods of Chelsea, Gramercy Park, and NoMad.

Nearby major cross streets include:

• West 21st Street & Sixth Avenue (Avenue of the Americas)
• West 20th Street & Avenue of the Americas
• West 23rd Street & Broadway
• West 19th Street & Avenue of the Americas

Transportation

The property is conveniently accessible by multiple subway lines and bus routes, offering excellent transit options:

• Subway Stations within walking distance:
  • 18 Street Station (1, 2 Lines)
  • 23 Street Station (1, 2 Lines)
  • 23 Street Station (F, M Lines)
  • 23 Street Station (N, R Lines)
  • 23 Street Station (PATH)
• Closest subway station: 6th Avenue & 23rd Street (F, M lines), approximately 0.08 miles away
• Bus Routes: M7 bus on Avenue of the Americas / West 20th Street (approx. 0.05 miles away)

Additional Transit Access

New York Penn Station (serving NJ Transit, LIRR) lies a short drive from the property, providing regional rail connections.

Major airports accessible via transit and taxi include LaGuardia Airport, JFK International Airport, and Newark Liberty International Airport.