Midtown East in Manhattan in New York County, New York — The American Northeast (Mid-Atlantic)

Madison Avenue & 50th Street

McKim, Mead and White

— The Palace Hotel —

Madison Avenue & 50th Street Marker image. Click for full size.

Photographed By Rev. Ronald Irick, May 8, 2019

1. Madison Avenue & 50th Street Marker

close up, showing text NOTE: plaque is dated 1975, but includes text about 1980

Inscription.

In 1882, McKim, Mead and White designed this block of six townhouses, inspired by the Palazzo Della Cancelleria in Rome, for Henry Villard and friends, prominent in publishing, railroads, finance and law. Original occupants were Artemas H. Holmes, Edward Dean Adams, Harris G. Fahnestock and Roswell Smith. In 1886, Ambassador Whitelaw Reid purchased the south wing which his family occupied until 1934. From 1946 to 1969, the north wing was occupied by Random House, publishers. The Chancery of the Roman Catholic Archdiocese occupied the house from 1948 to 1971. In 1978, the houses were leased to realtor Harry B. Helmsley, for restoration, preservation and development as part of the Palace Hotel, opened in 1980.

Erected 1975 by The New York Community Trust.

Topics. This historical marker is listed in these topic lists: Architecture • Churches & Religion.

Location. 40° 45.475′ N, 73° 58.531′ W. Marker is in Manhattan, New York, in New York County. It is in Midtown East. Marker is at the intersection of Madison Avenue and 50th Street, on the right when traveling north on Madison Avenue. Touch for map. Marker is at or near this postal address: 457 Madison Avenue, New York NY 10022, United States of America. Touch for directions.

Other nearby markers. At least 8 other markers are within walking distance

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of this marker. Papal Visits to New York City (about 500 feet away, measured in a direct line); Rockefeller Center (about 600 feet away); St. Bartholomew Church and Community House (about 600 feet away); Cartier Building (about 700 feet away); Charles Scribner's Sons Building (about 700 feet away); Fisk-Harkness House (about 800 feet away); The Seagram Building (approx. 0.2 miles away); Prometheus (approx. 0.2 miles away). Touch for a list and map of all markers in Manhattan.

Photographed By Rev. Ronald Irick, May 8, 2019

2. Madison Avenue & 50th Street Marker

full view of marker, looking up from sidewalk

Photographed By Rev. Ronald Irick, May 8, 2019

3. Madison Avenue & 50th Street Marker

marker as seen from a distance, looking across Madison Ave., down 50th Street

Photographed By Rev. Ronald Irick, May 8, 2019

4. Madison Avenue & 50th Street Marker

the seal

Credits. This page was last revised on January 31, 2023. It was originally submitted on May 17, 2019, by Rev. Ronald Irick of West Liberty, Ohio. This page has been viewed 465 times since then and 101 times this year. Photos: 1, 2, 3, 4. submitted on May 17, 2019, by Rev. Ronald Irick of West Liberty, Ohio. • Bill Pfingsten was the editor who published this page.