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South of Union Square
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68 Fifth Avenue

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64-66 Fifth Avenue image

64-66 Fifth Avenue
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This 8-story commercial loft building was built in three stages — in 1892 by architect R.H. Robertson, with additions in 1907 and 1915. It was built as the first American headquarters of prestigious publishers Macmillan Co. It later housed Frederick A. Praeger Publishers, the first art cinema house in America, and the first studio of “Picasso of Dance” Martha Graham. A beloved Book Row seller was located here as well. Go back and click on the tours the building is featured in for additional information and history.
Civil War Tour image

Civil War Tour
Walk

Several sites with noteworthy histories connected to the Civil War were located here. Click here to send a letter supporting landmark designation of these and other historic buildings south of Union Square.
Designated Individual NYC Landmarks South of Union Square image

Designated Individual NYC Landmarks South of Union Square
Walk

68 Fifth Avenue image

68 Fifth Avenue
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This Greek Revival rowhouse was constructed c. 1838-40 by John H. Cornell, believed to be a high-ranking officer at the Mechanic’s Banking Association on Wall Street. It became the residence of N.H. Wolfe, owner of the oldest flour and grain company in New York. A celebrated World War II entertainment venue for GIs was also located here. Go back and click on the tours the building is featured in for additional information and history.
70 Fifth Avenue image

70 Fifth Avenue
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This striking 12-story Beaux Arts style office building was constructed in 1912 for publisher George Plimpton. It housed an extraordinary array of civil rights and social justice organizations, philanthropic groups, publishers, and non-governmental organizations. This includes the headquarters of the nation’s oldest and largest civil rights organizations, the publishers of the first magazines for an African-American audience and for African-American children, and what would become the American Civil Liberties Union, among many other entities. The building was designated as a New York City Landmark in 2021. Go back and click on the tours the building is featured in for additional information and history.
Rowhouse Tour image

Rowhouse Tour
Walk

In spite of massive waves of commercial construction, tenement building, and later hotel and apartment building construction which swept through this neighborhood, the area retains dozens of rowhouses from its early stages of development, dating from the early 1830s to the early 1850s. They range from modest to grand, most in the Greek Revival or Italianate style. Reflecting the vast forces of change which swept through the area, none remained single family houses, taking on new lives housing commerce, unions, theaters, art galleries, and multiple tenants. Click here to send a letter supporting landmark designation of these and other historic buildings south of Union Square.
Commerce Tour: West of Broadway image

Commerce Tour: West of Broadway
Walk

Multiple innovators in the field of commerce were located here, once the center of commerce in New York, along with the headquarters of several prominent businesses. Click here to send a letter supporting landmark designation of these and other historic buildings south of Union Square.
Artists Tour image

Artists Tour
Walk

An incredible array of sites in the area are connected to the great artists and art movements of the last century and a half. In the mid-20th century, this area was ground zero for the New York School of artists, who shifted the center of the art world from Paris to New York. Click here to send a letter supporting landmark designation of these and other historic buildings south of Union Square.
Irish History Tour image

Irish History Tour
Walk

Prominent Irish immigrants and Irish Americans made a mark in the area South of Union Square, especially in the realms of politics, the arts, commerce, and literature.
African American History Tour image

African American History Tour
Walk

This area was home to several sites connected to significant developments in African American history, including civil rights leaders and organizations, musicians, and writers. Click here to send a letter supporting landmark designation of these and other historic buildings south of Union Square.
Booksellers Tour image

Booksellers Tour
Walk

Since at least the 1890s and through the 20th century, this area was the center of the bookselling industry in New York, centered along Fourth Avenue as well as Broadway and University Place, and probably had the highest concentration of booksellers in the world. Click here to send a letter supporting landmark designation of these and other historic buildings south of Union Square.
Music Tour image

Music Tour
Walk

Several notable musicians and music venues found a home in this area, from jazz to punk, blues to folk. Listen to a playlist featuring a selection of songs by some of the amazing artists connected to this neighborhood. Click here to send a letter supporting landmark designation of these and other historic buildings south of Union Square.
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