UN Plaza
Geographic Boundaries
The UN Plaza neighborhood in New York City is situated in Midtown East and Turtle Bay, adjacent to the United Nations Headquarters complex. Its boundaries roughly extend from East 42nd Street to East 48th Street between First Avenue and the East River, with the UN complex and associated buildings dominating the area.
Businesses, Stores, and Restaurants
While largely dominated by diplomatic offices and international institutions, the neighborhood includes fine dining establishments and concierge-style retail services catering to diplomatic and corporate clientele. High-end restaurants and boutique food markets operate near residential towers, though specific businesses are not extensively documented in public records. Retail spaces prioritize convenience and luxury goods, reflecting the area's diplomatic and high-income demographic.
Historic Attractions
The United Nations Headquarters complex remains the central historic attraction, established in 1952 with its modernist Secretariat Building. One United Nations Plaza (1975), designed by Kevin Roche, features a distinctive L-shaped hexagonal footprint with three architectural setbacks to comply with NYC zoning laws. The building originally incorporated office space, a hotel with rooftop tennis courts, and health facilities in its sloping upper floors.
Architectural Landscape
Major buildings include:
- One UN Plaza - Mixed-use skyscraper with 26 office floors and 11 hotel floors
- 100 UN Plaza - 51-story residential tower (1987) with pyramid-topped penthouses
- 870 UN Plaza - 38-story co-op building (1966) containing 167 residential units
Transportation Infrastructure
Primary transit options include:
- 4/5/6/7/S trains at Grand Central Terminal
- M15/M42 buses along First and Second Avenues
- FDR Drive access at East 49th Street
- East River ferry service at East 34th Street
Adjacent Zip Codes
The core UN Plaza area falls within the 10017 zip code. Adjacent postcodes include 10016 (Murray Hill to the west), 10022 (Midtown East south of 42nd Street), and 10065 (Sutton Place to the north).
Corporate Presence
The UN Plaza area hosts:
- Diplomatic missions including permanent country delegations
- UN-affiliated agencies (UNICEF at 3 UN Plaza)
- International law firms and consultancy groups
- Financial service providers specializing in global transactions