Helmsley Building

The Helmsley Building is an office building in the Beaux-Arts style that rises along Park Avenue between East 45th and 46th Streets at approximately 172 meters tall. Its 35 floors feature an exterior of limestone and pink granite, topped by an ornately designed roof crowned with a large glass lantern cupola.

The building was designed in 1929 by architects Warren and Wetmore for the New York Central Railroad as part of the Terminal City complex surrounding Grand Central. It was built during an era when major railroad companies constructed grand office buildings to display their power and prosperity.

The building took its name from a prominent New York family and its lobby showcases ornamental details rooted in the railroad era. Visitors can spot these decorative elements throughout the marble and metalwork in the entrance hall.

The building sits directly adjacent to Grand Central Terminal and is easy to reach on foot, by public transit, or from the Park Avenue Viaduct. The lobby is open to visitors during business hours and provides a good view of the architectural details without needing to purchase a ticket.

Beneath the roof sits a large glass lantern cupola that glows like a beacon over Park Avenue at night, often overlooked by passersby. This light crown was originally a signal for trains and traffic, but it has retained its functional character and now serves as a visual landmark in the city's skyline.

Location: Manhattan

Inception: 1929

Architects: Warren and Wetmore

Architectural style: Beaux-Arts

Floors above the ground: 35

Elevators: 25

Height: 172 m

GPS coordinates: 40.75440,-73.97580

Latest update: December 14, 2025 19:02