Sure the Flatiron building across the street gets all the attention. But on the corner of Fifth Avenue and 23rd Street stands a lovely, 7-story red brick structure with Western Union’s old logo obscured under the windows.
This was Western Union’s “uptown” branch. Built in 1883 by architect Henry Hardenburgh—designer of the Plaza, the Dakota, and other gorgeous New York buildings—the office had pneumatic tubes that whisked telegraphs to Western Union’s main headquarters in lower Manhattan.
It’s now a New York Historical Designation that has recently been condo-ized. For more photos and information on this gabled, Queen Anne gem, check out the architectural site Starts and Fits.
Tags: Flatiron building, Flatiron District, Henry Hardenburgh, Queen Anne, Western Union
Ephemeral New York 
February 14, 2011 at 6:38 am |
[…] the center is the still-standing, seven-story Western Union Building, by late 18th century starchitect Henry […]
April 14, 2017 at 11:06 pm |
How wonderful that the magnificent “Telegraph Building” hasn’t been demolished, as I’m sure greedy developers wished to affect. Am I correct in “remembering” that, until a few years ago, this building was painted an awful red color? Anyway, I love seeing the original brick; so much nicer. Thank you, Ephermeral!