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

City Center

Designated Landmark • New York City

Photographed by Jack DePalma, October 18, 2025

1. City Center Marker

Inscription. Built in 1924 by architect B.P. Knowles, the Mecca Temple was originally a meeting place for the Ancient Order of Nobles of the Mystic Shrine, a masonic group founded in 1872. The building uses Moorish-inspired elements, including brightly colored glazed Terra Cotta tile in an Islamic design and an arcade of nine horseshoe arches spanning the facade. Faced in sandstone blocks, the building is crowned by a huge tiled dome. In 1943, the hall was converted into City Center, a performing arts center featuring a diverse roster of American and international theater, music and dance.

Erected 2000 by New York Landmarks Preservation Foundation.

Topics. This historical marker is listed in these topic lists: Architecture • Arts, Letters, Music • Entertainment • Fraternal or Sororal Organizations. A significant historical year for this entry is 1924.

Location. 40° 45.818′ N, 73° 58.762′ W. Marker is in Manhattan, New York, in New York County. It is in Midtown West. It is on West 55th Street west of 6th Avenue, on the right when traveling west. The New York Landmarks Preservation Foundation marker on West 55th Street. The Stage Door marker is on West 56th street. Touch for map. Marker is at or near this postal address: 142 W 57th St, New York NY 10019, 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

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8 other markers are within walking distance of this marker: "The Writers' Room" (within shouting distance of this marker); 130 West 57th Street (about 500 feet away, measured in a direct line); Steinway Hall (about 600 feet away); Carnegie Hall (about 600 feet away); Ignacy Jan Paderewski (about 600 feet away); 163-165 West 57th Street (about 700 feet away); Rockefeller Apartments (about 800 feet away); Rodin Studios (approx. 0.2 miles away). Touch for a list and map of all markers in Manhattan.

Photographed by Devry Becker Jones (CC0), August 29, 2025

2. City Center Marker

Photographed by Devry Becker Jones (CC0), August 29, 2025

3. City Center

Photographed by Jack DePalma, October 18, 2025

4. City Center Marker

Stage door plaque Of the City Center found West 56 Street. The back door.

The Mecca Temple building, the original foundation stone. image. Click for full size.

Photographed by Jack DePalma, October 18, 2025

5. The Mecca Temple building, the original foundation stone.

Photographed by Jack DePalma, October 18, 2025

6. City Center Marker

Credits. This page was last revised on October 27, 2025. It was originally submitted on September 1, 2025, by Devry Becker Jones of Washington, District of Columbia. This page has been viewed 96 times since then and 21 times this year. Last updated on October 25, 2025, by Jack DePalma of Brooklyn,NY, New York. Photos: 1. submitted on October 18, 2025, by Jack DePalma of Brooklyn,NY, New York. 2, 3. submitted on September 1, 2025, by Devry Becker Jones of Washington, District of Columbia. 4, 5, 6. submitted on October 18, 2025, by Jack DePalma of Brooklyn,NY, New York.