West Village in Manhattan in New York County, New York — The American Northeast (Mid-Atlantic)

Westbeth Artists’ Housing

Photographed by Larry Gertner, May 1, 2019

1. Westbeth Artists’ Housing Marker

Inscription. This complex of buildings was built from c. 1860 to 1934. It served as the home of Bell Telephone Labs (1898 to 1966) where many technological innovations were developed or advanced, including radar, television and video telephones. It re-opened in 1970 as Westbeth, an early example of large-scale adaptive re-use of an industrial building. One of the first projects developed in collaboration with the J.M. Kaplan Fund, it continues to provide affordable live-work space to nearly four hundred artists and their families. The complex is a designated New York City and National Historic landmark, and is listed on the State and National Registers of Historic Places.

Placed by the Greenwich Village Society for Historic Preservation

Erected 2018 by the Greenwich Village Society for Historic Preservation.

Topics and series. This historical marker is listed in these topic lists: Arts, Letters, Music • Science & Medicine. In addition, it is included in the Greenwich Village Society for Historic Preservation series list. A significant historical year for this entry is 1860.

Location. 40° 44.215′ N, 74° 0.506′ W. Marker is in

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Manhattan, New York, in New York County. It is in West Village. It is on Bethune Street near Washington Street, on the left when traveling west. Touch for map. Marker is at or near this postal address: 55 Bethune Street, New York NY 10014, United States of America. Touch for directions.

Regionally, this marker is in New York City.

It is also in the American Northeast

and in the Mid-Atlantic.

Globally, it is in the North Atlantic Region,

North America,

the Western Hemisphere,

the Western World,

and the Anglosphere.

Historically, it finds itself in what was once New Netherland

and also one of the original Thirteen Colonies.

Other nearby markers. At least 8 other markers are within walking distance of this marker: The Davisson-Germer Experiment (here, next to this marker); Mercier (Merce) Philip Cunningham (a few steps from this marker); Roy Lichtenstein (within shouting distance of this marker); Jane Street (about 500 feet away, measured in a direct line); 82 Jane Street (about 500 feet away); LGBTQ+ Memorial (about 600 feet away); James Baldwin (about 700 feet away); Abingdon Square Park (approx. 0.2 miles away). Touch for a list and map

55 Bethune Street entrance image. Click for full size.

Photographed by Larry Gertner, May 1, 2019

2. 55 Bethune Street entrance

To the left, a remnant of The High Line elevated railway that used to run through the building.

of all markers in Manhattan.

More about this marker. The building is listed in the "AIA (American Institute of Architects) Guide to New York City, Fifth Edition".

Photographed by Larry Gertner, May 1, 2019

3. Westbeth Artists’ Housing Marker

and associated markers at the 55 Bethune Street entrance.

Photographed by Larry Gertner, July 1, 2009

4. Westbeth

Living area internal courtyard

The Westbeth complex and High Line remnant image. Click for full size.

Photographed by Larry Gertner, March 27, 2015

5. The Westbeth complex and High Line remnant

Credits. This page was last revised on October 20, 2025. It was originally submitted on May 2, 2019, by Larry Gertner of New York, New York. This page has been viewed 615 times since then and 34 times this year. Photos: 1, 2, 3, 4, 5. submitted on May 2, 2019, by Larry Gertner of New York, New York. • Andrew Ruppenstein was the editor who published this page.