Rent/Lease Office 895-899 Broadway, New York, NY (Equinox Building)

History of 895-899 Broadway, Manhattan, NYC

The site at 895-899 Broadway in Manhattan holds a significant place in New York City's retail history, originally serving as the location for the famed Lord & Taylor emporium. The origins of Lord & Taylor trace back to 1826 when cousins Samuel Lord and George W. Taylor opened their first dry goods store on Catherine Street. Over the subsequent decades, their business migrated northward with the city's shopping district, reaching the Broadway and Grand Street area by the early 1860s. In 1869, seeking to accommodate their growing clientele, they leased properties at 895 and 899 Broadway along with the adjacent southwest corner of Broadway and 20th Street.

They commissioned architect James H. Giles, known for his cast iron buildings and Gothic projects, to design a new five-story department store. The building, completed in 1870 at a cost equivalent to nearly $10 million today, was innovative in its unapologetic use of cast iron on the facade, which was praised by contemporaneous architectural critics. This Victorian-era emporium quickly became a bustling shopping destination, featuring attractions such as hand-operated elevators and a grand entrance on Broadway.

Around 1914, as retail activity continued moving further uptown, Lord & Taylor relocated to Fifth Avenue and 38th Street. This transition led to a major architectural transformation of 895-899 Broadway. Architect John H. Duncan removed Giles's original cast iron facade and replaced it with a dignified limestone neo-Renaissance frontage. The redesign featured rusticated piers and a balanced, restrained decoration that marked a clear departure from the building's earlier ornate Victorian style.

Throughout the 20th century, the building adapted to the evolving commercial character of the Flatiron District, housing various retail, manufacturing, and office tenants. By the 1990s, the lower floors were repurposed for fitness facilities while offices remained on upper levels. Despite changes and renovations, the building retains architectural elements linking it to its 19th-century origins, preserving its significance as a historic commercial site in Manhattan.

895-899 Broadway, Manhattan, NYC

Historic 5-story building in the Flatiron District, originally part of the Lord & Taylor emporium (1870-1914).

• Architectural Style: Neo-Renaissance limestone façade (1914) by John H. Duncan, replacing James H. Giles' original cast-iron design
• Current Name: Equinox Building
• Key Features: 59,898 SF office space, 24-hour access, attended lobby, high ceilings
• Notable Tenants: Saint Laurie Ltd. (20th-century garment manufacturer), Equinox fitness center (1990s-2000s)
• Location: Broadway and East 20th Street, zoned for mixed commercial use

Location

895-899 Broadway, Manhattan, New York, NY 10003, located at the intersection of Broadway and East 20th Street in the Flatiron District / Gramercy Park area.

Transportation Options

• Subway Stations within walking distance:
  • 23 St Station (PATH) – approximately 7 minutes walk
  • 14 St Station (PATH) – approximately 10 minutes walk
  • 33 St Station (PATH)
  • Broadway & 22nd St Station (N, R lines) – about 0.12 miles
• Additional nearby subway lines within walking distance include the N, R, 1, 2, 3, 7, A, F, M, Q, S, B, D, and PATH trains, providing extensive connectivity throughout Manhattan and beyond.
• Bus routes nearby:
  • M2 (5 Av/W 20 St stop, approx. 0.061 miles)

Cross Streets

The building is located at the corner of Broadway and East 20th Street in Manhattan, NYC.