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

Metropolitan Museum Historic District

New York Landmarks Preservation Foundation

Photographed by Ian Lefkowitz, June 20, 2026

1. Metropolitan Museum Historic District Marker

Inscription. The development of this district as an elegant residential area was related to Fifth Avenue’s long boundary with Central Park. The Metropolitan Museum, set in the park, has provided a dignified urban focus for the district for more than a century. Brownstones from the 1880’s retain a flavor of old New York, while private mansions in Italian Renaissance Revival, French Renaissance Revival, and French Classical styles were built between the turn of the century and World War I for such families as the Whitneys, Brokaws, and Vanderbilts. The grand apartment houses, built after the 1923 repeal of a law limiting Fifth Avenue buildings to a height of seventy-five feet, are as distinguished as the mansions they replaced.

Erected by New York Landmarks Preservation Foundation.

Topics. This historical marker is listed in this topic list: Architecture. A significant historical year for this entry is 1923.

Location. 40° 46.545′ N, 73° 57.762′ W. Marker is in Manhattan, New York, in New York County. It is in the Upper East Side. It is at the intersection of Madison Avenue and East 78th Street, on the left when traveling north on Madison

Paid Advertisement

Click or scan to see
this page online

Avenue. Touch for map. Marker is at or near this postal address: 1012 Madison Avenue, New York NY 10075, United States of America. Touch for directions.

Regionally, this marker is in New York City.

It is also in the American Northeast,

in the Mid-Atlantic,

and on the Eastern Seaboard. 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: 1016 Madison Avenue (a few steps from this marker); Upper East Side Historic District (within shouting distance of this marker); Institute of Fine Arts (about 400 feet away, measured in a direct line); Cultural Services of The French Embassy (about 400 feet away); Harry F. Sinclair House (about 400 feet away); Le Petit Prince (about 400 feet away); Loeb Memorial Fountain (about 700 feet away); Cedar Hill and Glade Arch (about 700 feet away). Touch for a list and map of all markers in Manhattan.

Photographed by Ian Lefkowitz, June 20, 2026

2. Metropolitan Museum Historic District Marker

This marker, one of several in the district, is found at the corner of Madison Avenue and East 78th Street.

Photographed by Ian Lefkowitz, June 20, 2026

3. Metropolitan Museum Historic District Marker

A map of the historic district is found on the reverse side of the marker.

Credits. This page was last revised on August 27, 2026. It was originally submitted on August 23, 2026, by Ian Lefkowitz of New York, New York. This page has been viewed 9 times since then. Photos: 1, 2, 3. submitted on August 23, 2026, by Ian Lefkowitz of New York, New York. • Andrew Ruppenstein was the editor who published this page.