In New York City, there are a lot of famous buildings. And I don’t mean big, tall buildings. I mean the ones with an interesting history or the ones that look like someone famous. Do you know those buildings?
Everybody wants to know what are the most famous buildings in New York!
Well, wonder no more. I have put together a list of the most famous buildings in New York. If you are from New York, then you must be familiar with some of the famous buildings here and there. If you are not from New York, then take it as a chance to learn about them and get familiar with the landmarks that make the city famous around the world.
As the most famous city in the world, NYC has no shortage of iconic architecture. From the Woolworth Building to the One World Trade Center, there are plenty of interesting buildings for you to explore. Since NYC is my city, I can be a bit biased!
Within this list, you’ll find famous buildings in New York City.
List of Famous Landmarks in New York City
There are a lot of popular buildings and attractions in New York. Some of them are popular because of their history, some are very well known because they are a place where many celebrities worked and some of them are widely known because they were the most expensive hall ever built in NYC.
That being said, sometimes the information about the famous buildings in New York can get confusing and there is no one better to give you the straight facts than us. This blog post will help you clear some things up about the most amazing landmarks in New York City.
Here are the most famous buildings in New York:
Empire State Building
The Empire State Building, or the ESB as it’s also known, is a 102 story Art Deco style skyscraper in New York City. Built in 1931, it was the world’s tallest building until it was surpassed by the Chrysler Building in Downtown Manhattan in 1930. For almost 40 years this NY landmark held the title of the world’s tallest building.
The Empire State Building is located at 350 Fifth Avenue between West 33rd and 34th Streets in Midtown, Manhattan, New York City. The Empire State Building is using a cubic shape steel frame that supports 1,158 rooms and has an immense spire at the peak of the building making it among the tallest buildings in New York. Completed in 1931, it stands at 1,250 feet (381m) tall including its antenna spire.
This building was constructed for 14 million USD. Its name is derived from the nickname for the state of New York, The Empire State.
Metropolitan Museum of Art
The Metropolitan Museum of Art is an incredible place to visit if you’re in New York City. There are entire wings dedicated to the art of Ancient Greece, the Roman Empire, and pre-Columbian. It’s one of the greatest art museums in the world!
The Metropolitan Museum of Art (formally “The Metropolitan Museum of Art and The Cloisters”, or simply “the Met”) is located on the eastern edge of Central Park in the borough of Manhattan, New York City. You can visit it for free (entry to the permanent exhibitions) or pay a fee to see an exhibition that is in special rotation.
The Metropolitan Museum of Art is a vital part of the city of New York and is one of the best known musea in the world. It has been described as an American icon.
St Patrick’s Cathedral
The St Patrick’s Cathedral is one of the most famous historical buildings in New York City, and it’s a great architectural wonder. It stands tall with its twin spires reaching towards the sky, and has been a landmark on Fifth Avenue since 1878.
The iconic NYC building Saint Patrick’s Cathedral is in the heart of midtown Manhattan. This beautiful Neo-Gothic style church was actually completed in 1878 and it would go on to become one of the city’s best loved landmarks.
It is the largest Catholic church in North America and the largest Gothic Revival style church in the world.
It is a magnificent gothic-styled structure that can be best described via a famous quote: “St. Patrick’s Cathedral is the most splendid example, perhaps, of all that is Irish about New York .”
New York Public Library
The New York Public Library is a historic building located in Manhattan, New York. The New York Public Library is one of the most magnificent libraries in the world.
The principal library of the NY Public Library, it was funded by a group of philanthropists including Andrew Carnegie, JP Morgan, and John D. Rockefeller. It’s founded in 1895, and it was first opened to the public in 1911 and stands as one of the top tourist attractions in Manhattan.
It opens its doors to all New Yorkers and visitors from all over the world who share a love of reading, discovering, and connecting with books and each other. This illustrious building has stood in the heart of New York’s cultural institution area for over 100 years and preserves the city’s library history.
Chrysler Building
Chrysler Building is one of the most beautiful buildings in New York. The Chrysler Building is an art deco Midtown skyscraper located in New York City at the intersection of 42nd Street and Lexington Avenue.
At the time of its completion in 1930, the Chrysler Building was the world’s tallest building, standing at 1,048 feet (319 m) high. It’s also one of the most innovative skyscraper designs yet.
It was constructed from 1928 to 1930 and stands at 319 meters tall. The Chrysler building replaced the nearby tallest building, the 40 Wall Street, as the famous tallest building in new york and held that title until the completion of the Empire State Building in 1931.
Grand Central Terminal
Grand Central Terminal is a Beaux-Arts terminal railroad station at 42nd Street and Park Avenue in Midtown Manhattan in New York City. Built by and named for the New York Central Railroad in the heyday of American long-distance rail travel, it covers 48 acres (19 ha), has 44 platforms, and has more than 700,000 square feet (65,000 m2) of interior space.
You may not realize it, but Grand Central Terminal (GCT) is more than just a building; it represents a time period of American history that some people consider the golden era. GCT, completed in 1913 and designed by the architectural firm Reed and Stem, is considered one of New York’s greatest landmarks. It was designated as a New York City Landmark in 1989.
Flatiron Building
The Flatiron Building is one of the most iconic buildings in New York City. Rising some 285 feet into the air, the Flatiron has come to be synonymous with the city itself.
The Flatiron Building is one of the most famous buildings in NYC. The construction started in 1902 and was completed in 1903. At the time, it was considered to be a marvel of modern architecture.
It was originally named Fuller Building after its owner Charles L. Fuller, who designed it in collaboration with Chicago-based architect Daniel Burnham, who had also designed the Flatiron Building next to Madison Square Park.
Designing the building took over 70 drafts and the Flatiron Building’s interesting features include its triangular shape and large windows at ground level that could let a lot of light inside (this wasn’t common for buildings at that time).
Its distinctive wedge shape makes it instantly recognizable even to many who’ve never been to New York.
Woolworth Building
The Woolworth Building is a historic office building in the heart of New York’s financial district. The skyscraper was designed by architect Cass Gilbert, who also designed the United States Supreme Court Building.
Built from 1913-1918, the Woolworth is famous for its elegant interior design. The lobby is decorated in a neoclassical style and soars two stories above the ground. This stunning arrangement was based on an original design by architect Louis Sullivan.
The Woolworth Building is a neo-Gothic structure in Lower Manhattan, New York City. Designed by architect Cass Gilbert, at 57 stories, it was the world’s tallest building when constructed until 1930 and, along with the Chrysler Building, one of the most influential and recognizable skyscrapers in the world.
One World Trade Center
One World Trade Center is currently the tallest building in New York City and one of the most recognizable structures in the world. The main tower has 104 floors which are capped by a spire that brings its total height to 1,776 feet.
This makes One World Trade Center the third tallest building in the United States and seventh tallest in the world at completion. It has been surpassed by two other buildings since completion but will remain for some time to come as the third tallest building in America.
The famous tower in new york “One World Trade Center” is known by several names, most often it is called Freedom Tower, which makes sense as it is the centerpiece of the rebuilding plan of Downtown Manhattan after the 9/11 tragedy.
But on top of it being One World Trade (a name I am not particularly fond of) and Freedom Tower, it has a few more fancy names: Destiny, The Tower of Light, Al Qaeda Tower, The Humongous Tower.
Dakota Building
The Dakota Building is one of the most famous old buildings in New York. Constructed between 1884 and 1885, it was designed by Henry Hardenbergh. The building is also known as “the Dakota” due to its location on the corner of West 70th Street and Central Park West.
Today, it is designated as a New York City Landmark in addition to being listed on the National Register of Historic Places.
The Dakota Building is an apartment building on the Upper West Side of Manhattan. It is an elegant, gabled tall building with a prominent central tower.
United Nations Headquarters
The United Nations Headquarters is at the heart of the international community and the most important buildings in New York. It is a part of the primary heritage of Manhattan. This headquarters was built for the UN after World War with a view to bringing more countries and world leaders together.
The complex has served as the official headquarters of the United Nations since its completion in 1951, but it is not the only contributing property within the area which is considered part of the site’s historic designation. This is a list of constructions of note within the Turtle Bay area and a brief description of each one.
The United Nations Headquarters is the complex of offices, meeting rooms, and conference halls in which the United Nations does its business. It is a famous office building in new york city where ambassadors from nearly every country in the world go to discuss global issues.
Trinity Church
Trinity Church is a historical landmark in the middle of New York. It was built by John Richardson who based the design off of London’s St George’s chapel, which he was an apprentice at. Trinity Church stands out among the other churches of New York, as it is visible from a distance and has details that are not common in other buildings.
Trinity Church is an Episcopalian/Anglican church located at the intersection of Broadway, Wall Street, and Franklin Street in the Financial District of Lower Manhattan. This is one of the famous buildings in New York.
New York Stock Exchange
The New York Stock Exchange at the corner of Wall and Broad streets is not only the oldest stock exchange in the United States but also one of its most important.
Established on May 17, 1792, it is often referred to as the Big Board. Today it has a capacity of 11,317 seats which means its chamber is bigger than that of any other stock exchange in the world.
There is a slew of popular buildings in New York but most importantly there is the building that started it all — the New York Stock Exchange.
Apollo Theater
The Apollo Theater is one of the popular buildings in NYC. This most amazing building is located at 253 West 125th Street in Harlem. The Apollo Theater has had a long history in the heart of New York.
Since it opened its doors in 1914, it became one of the most influential cultural centers in the world. The Apollo Theater created a direct opportunity to see and hear African-American artists with their own sound.
New York’s popular building Apollo Theater attracts millions of visitors every year.
Oculus
Oculus is an iconic landmark in New York City. Located on the edge of the West Village, it offers breathtaking views of Manhattan. It’s one of the most visible landmarks in New York. The Oculus (shaped like a pair of smokestacks), is a versatile space that’s used for a variety of events including concerts, presentations, and other corporate functions.
The Oculus building is a pretty cool piece of architecture. The best way to describe it is a huge undulating wave of rectangular windows, repeated at regular intervals, creating a brilliant rainbow of colors as the sun shines through. Nice to know that Apple wants to take over this design and… well, ruin it completely.
FAQs
What is the famous building in New York called?
The famous building in New York is called the Empire State Building. It is located on 5th Avenue, between 33rd and 34th Street.
How many famous buildings are there in New York?
There are many examples of architecture that we hold in high esteem – though, I imagine, some may be unknown to most people outside the state of New York (at least until they spot one on film). The Empire State Building – iconic. The Statue of Liberty — larger than life. Grand Central — a masterpiece in transportation and design.
What buildings are in New York?
New York is full of incredible buildings: the Empire State Building, the Chrysler Building, One World Trade Center, and many more. Here we look at the most famous buildings in New York so you can know your grand architecture from your glassy oligarchs.
What are three famous landmarks in New York?
Three of the most famous landmarks in New York are the One World Trade Center, the Statue of Liberty, and the Empire State Building.
What is New York’s most recognizable landmark?
There are a few buildings in New York that stand out from the rest, but there is one building that towers above them all. This massive structure, also known as “The Empire State Building”, was named and constructed by William Lamb.
It first opened in 1931, and to this day is a prime location for tourists to visit. It’s even in a sense, a must see in New York City. I personally want to visit it just because of how popular it is.
What are the famous tallest building in new york?
There is no doubt that New York City is famous for its skyscrapers. The Big Apple is home to some of the tallest buildings in the world such as the Freedom Tower (792 feet), Bank of America Tower (789 feet), Empire State Building (1,250 feet high to top of antenna spire), MetLife Building (775 feet), Chrysler Building (1,046 feet high to top of lightning rod), and One World Trade Center (1,368 feet).
Final Thoughts
Buildings are perhaps the most important things in the world because that’s where we live. Seriously, you can’t go anywhere without seeing massive skyscrapers and huge houses on the top of hills.
Of course, buildings are pretty cool to look at because they have some amazing architecture and look very unique from other buildings around them. And if you ask some people, big buildings also make New York feel less crowded.
New York is the most populous city in the United States and one of the world’s most important centers of finance and commerce. It has remarkable architectural wealth and a rich history that makes it one of the most popular tourist destinations in the world.
The skyscrapers borough attracts millions of tourists from around the globe every year. The city holds some of the oldest skyscrapers in the USA, which have witnessed its growing development over a period of time.
