JW Marriott Essex House, Art Deco hotel near Central Park, Manhattan, United States
The JW Marriott Essex House is a 43-story building rising directly above Central Park South next to the park itself. It combines hotel rooms, suites, and residential units in one complex offering direct park access and proximity to major Manhattan attractions.
It opened in 1931 shortly after the 1929 stock market crash and later changed ownership multiple times. Over the decades it passed through various corporate hands while maintaining its original architectural style.
The building displays Art Deco style with geometric forms and materials typical of the 1930s that remain visible in its facade and public spaces. Passersby and visitors notice these design choices that shape the character of the street corner.
The entrance sits on Central Park South, allowing guests to step directly toward the park without crossing a street. The location is highly central, so restaurants, shops, and transit options are readily available in the immediate area.
A large neon rooftop sign has crowned the building since the 1930s, glowing in red at night and serving as a recognizable marker of the Manhattan skyline. This sign was an early example of the oversized advertising that came to define the city's visual character.
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