Colorful peacocks on a Garment District tower

For such a shadowy, gray part of New York City, the Garment District has lots of lovely architectural ornaments—especially of animals.

One example: these terra cotta peacocks, which sit above the freight elevator entrance at 135 West 36th Street.

They’re part of the Fashion Tower, a 17-story neo-Gothic structure just west of Sixth Avenue designed by Emery Roth in 1922.

Why peacocks, a bird that symbolizes immortality and renewal?

“Peacocks are a traditional symbol of women’s fashion, often appearing as ornament on women’s fashion boutiques,” the terrific site skyscraper.com tells us.

The Fashion Tower has more decorative elements worth a look.

The sixth floor facade features friezes of a woman looking in the mirror and another holding a spindle.

They’re homages to the industry that gave the neighborhood its name.

Winged chariots and lions on West 30th Street

Not too many Manhattan buildings feature terra cotta panels and friezes inspired by ancient Assyrian art.

Then there’s 130 West 30th Street. Constructed in 1927 as the SJM building (that’s for Solomon Manne, who made a fortune in the fur business), it was renamed in 2003 after going co-op in honor of its architect, Cass Gilbert.

Gilbert is the man behind many great early 20th century New York City landmarks, from the Woolworth Building downtown to the New York Life skyscraper near Madison Square Park.

The 20-story Cass Gilbert Building is no Garment District slouch. It has 45 luxury loft apartments, not to mention these triumphant, exotic panels above the entrance. Take a tour of the penthouse here.