Flatiron District in Manhattan in New York County, New York — The American Northeast (Mid-Atlantic)

Metropolitan Life Tower

Landmarks of New York

Photographed By Barry Swackhamer, May 17, 2012

1. Metropolitan Life Tower Marker

Inscription. This tower, of massive simplicity in Italian Renaissance style, was completed in 1909 from plans by Le Brun & Sons. Its four clock faces are each 26½ feet in diameter, with minute hands weighing ½ ton. Four chimes (the largest 7000 pounds) sound a measure by Handel on the quarter hours.

Erected 1957 by New York Community Trust.

Topics. This historical marker is listed in this topic list: Notable Buildings. A significant historical year for this entry is 1909.

Location. 40° 44.468′ N, 73° 59.26′ W. Marker is in Manhattan, New York, in New York County. It is in the Flatiron District. Marker is at the intersection of Madison Avenue and East 24th Street, on the right when traveling north on Madison Avenue. Touch for map. Marker is at or near this postal address: 9 Madison Avenue, New York NY 10010, United States of America. Touch for directions.

Other nearby markers. At least 8 other markers are within walking distance of this marker. Welcome to Madison Square Park! / Caring for Your Park (within shouting distance of this marker); Star of Hope (about 300 feet away, measured in a direct line); Madison Avenue Centennial (about 300 feet away); Welcome to Madison Square Park! / Care for Your Park (about 300 feet away); New York Fire Department – City of New York (about 300 feet away); William H. Seward

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(about 300 feet away); Metropolitan Life Veterans Memorial (about 400 feet away); Commemorating the 50th Anniversary of the New York City Pride March (about 400 feet away). Touch for a list and map of all markers in Manhattan.

Also see . . .
1. Metropolitan Life Insurance Company - New York Architecture. To design the new tower, destined to be set into the northwest corner, Napoléon LeBrun was required yet, but the idea to copy in a larger scale the Campanile of San Marco in Venice was a John Hegeman's one, the president of the Metropolitan Life himself. (Submitted on July 2, 2012, by Barry Swackhamer of Brentwood, California.)

2. The 1909 Metropolitan Life Insurance Tower -- Madison Ave and 24th Street. "Daytonian in Manhattan" entry. (Submitted on April 11, 2020, by Larry Gertner of New York, New York.)

Photographed By Barry Swackhamer, May 17, 2012

2. Metropolitan Life Tower Marker

Metropolitan Life Tower image. Click for full size.

Photographed By Barry Swackhamer, May 17, 2012

3. Metropolitan Life Tower

Metropolitan Life Tower (reflection) image. Click for full size.

Photographed By Sue Swackhamer, May 17, 2012

4. Metropolitan Life Tower (reflection)

Metropolitan Life Tower by night image. Click for full size.

Photographed By Larry Gertner, September 23, 2019

5. Metropolitan Life Tower by night

After an extensive Late-1990s - Early 2000s renovation of the tower and the clock.

Credits. This page was last revised on January 31, 2023. It was originally submitted on July 2, 2012, by Barry Swackhamer of Brentwood, California. This page has been viewed 575 times since then and 53 times this year. Last updated on April 24, 2020, by Larry Gertner of New York, New York. Photos: 1, 2, 3, 4. submitted on July 2, 2012, by Barry Swackhamer of Brentwood, California. 5. submitted on April 24, 2020, by Larry Gertner of New York, New York. • Michael Herrick was the editor who published this page.