South of Union Square
Menu
Place
Share
59 Fifth Avenue
Posts & Stories
(17)
61 Fifth Avenue
Post
The 8-story residential structure here built c. 2011 replaced a two-story Art Moderne structure built in 1938 for the Schrafft’s Restaurant chain. It later housed the Lone Star Café, New York’s premiere country music venue which also showcased rock, blues, and soul artists like James Brown. Go back and click on the tours the building is featured in for additional information and history.
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.
Library Tour
Walk
Click here to send a letter supporting landmark designation of these and other historic buildings south of Union Square.
Political Figures Tour
Walk
A vast array of people who made a mark in the field of politics had connections to this area, including many notable "firsts" to run for or win office. Click here to send a letter supporting landmark designation of these and other historic buildings south of Union Square.
59 Fifth Avenue
Post
This Italianate style rowhouse was built c. 1853 by philanthropist and bibliophile James Lenox for residential use. For generations, it was home to a family that was among the most important American patrons of the arts of the 19th century, and included significant figures in the fields of science, philanthropy, business, and government. In later years it also housed a prominent publisher, bookseller, and artist studios. Go back and click on the tours the building is featured in for additional information and history.
Publishing Tour
Walk
Many of the most prominent publishers in America and the world were located here, producing some of the most significant works of literature of the last two hundred years. Click here to send a letter supporting landmark designation of these and other historic buildings south of Union Square.
Pop Culture Tour
Walk
Multiple sites in the neighborhood bear significant connections to popular films, television, music, and entertainment. Listen to a playlist featuring a selection of songs by some of the amazing artists connected to this area. Click here to send a letter supporting landmark designation of these and other historic buildings south of Union Square.
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
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.
Philanthropy Tour
Walk
Some of New York's most prominent and impactful philanthropists, and philanthropic organizations, were located here. Click here to send a letter supporting landmark designation of these and other historic buildings south of Union Square.
57 Fifth Avenue
Post
This altered Arts & Crafts style rowhouse was built c. 1852 by philanthropist and bibliophile James Lenox. It was the home of congressman, conservationist, and Civil War Unionist Robert B. Roosevelt, as well as the groundbreaking Pearson’s Magazine and bookstore. Go back and click on the tours the building is featured in for additional information and history.
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.
57 Fifth Avenue
Post
Born James Thomas Harris (1855-1931), in Galway, Ireland Frank Harris was an Irish immigrant who became a naturalized U.S. citizen during his editorship of Pearson’s Magazine, was a noted author, journalist, editor, publisher, and provocateur. His autobiographical My Life and Loves was banned in the United States and Britain for 40 years due to its sexual content. In addition to publishing this and Pearson’s, Harris wrote two books about Shakespeare and biographies of his friends, the playwright George Bernard Shaw and the poet and playwright Oscar Wilde. Wilde, who was found guilty of engaging in acts of “gross indecency” in 1895, became an icon in the emergence of the modern LGBTQ rights movement. Harris’ close friendship with Wilde is portrayed in Moises Kaufman’s Gross Indecencies: The Three Trials of Oscar Wilde, as well as several other literary portrayals of Wilde’s life.
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
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.
Civil Rights and Social Justice Tour
Walk
An extraordinary confluence of organizations and people connected to African American, LGBTQ, Women's, and other civil rights struggles were located here, including some of the most significant in each of these movements. Click here to send a letter supporting landmark designation of these and other historic buildings south of Union Square.
Women's History Tour
Walk
Many notable organizations, leaders, and events in the women's rights and women's suffrage movements were located or took place here. Click here to send a letter supporting landmark designation of these and other historic buildings south of Union Square.
Privacy Policy
Terms of Service
Open Map