Just a short walk from the bustling Grand Central Terminal, 220 East 42nd Street in New York, NY, famously known as the Daily News Building, stands as a magnificent 37-story Art Deco skyscraper. Conceived by the visionary architects Raymond Hood and John Mead Howells, this building commands attention in Midtown Manhattan. Originally built to house the headquarters of The New York Daily News, its significance extends beyond media history, having earned recognition from New York City’s landmark agency and further designated as a National Historic Landmark in 1989. Its prime location on 42nd Street New York Ny and architectural grandeur make it a notable point of interest in the city.
One of the most distinguished examples of Art Deco architecture in the United States, 220 East 42nd Street was completed in 1930 by the acclaimed firm of Hood and Howells, who also designed the celebrated Tribune Tower in Chicago. The building’s design is characterized by its monumental, slab-like form, with setbacks that converge towards a powerful central mass. Above the entrance, a striking carved frieze captures the energy of New Yorkers on their daily commute, set against a backdrop of a towering cityscape, and inscribed with the phrase “He Made So Many of Them.” This architectural approach was revolutionary for its time, establishing 220 East 42nd Street as one of the first free-standing modernistic skyscrapers globally and notably, one of New York’s pioneering tall buildings designed without a traditional ornamental spire.
The interior spaces of 220 East 42nd Street are equally captivating. A dramatic lobby features black glass and richly colored marble, creating a dynamic and atmospheric environment. At the heart of this space is the immense rotating globe, partially embedded in the floor, which famously inspired the visual concept for The Daily Planet, the fictional workplace of Clark Kent in the original Superman comic books and television series. Adding to the lobby’s unique character are meteorological instruments displaying real-time rainfall and temperature data, alongside clocks showing the current time in major cities around the world. Embedded within the marble flooring are markers indicating distances from the lobby to significant global locations like the North Pole and Gibraltar, subtly reinforcing the idea of New York City as a central point in the world.
With its exceptional location on 42nd Street New York NY, its celebrated architecture, a suite of modern amenities, and breathtaking views, 220 East 42nd is ideally positioned for access to Grand Central Terminal, including subway and Metro-North train lines. This iconic building on 42nd Street New York NY offers not just a prestigious address but also a central hub for anyone seeking to be at the heart of it all.
