Jacob K. Javits Federal Building

The Jacob K. Javits Federal Building is a 41-story office tower clad in limestone and granite with a distinctive exterior pattern created by alternating glass and stone panels arranged in a checkerboard design. Located at 26 Federal Plaza, it consolidates multiple federal agencies and services under one roof to streamline government operations for the public.

Construction began in 1963 as part of a major redevelopment initiative that reshaped lower Manhattan during the 1960s era. The completed structure represented a shift toward consolidating government operations from multiple scattered locations into a single modern facility.

This building serves as a central workplace where New Yorkers interact with federal services and where employees from multiple agencies carry out their daily work. Visitors and staff experience the everyday rhythm of government administration concentrated in a single location.

The building sits in the Civic Center neighborhood with convenient access via multiple subway lines and walking distance from nearby City Hall Park. Visitors should expect security screening procedures to enter restricted areas of the facility.

The building housed a private office during the 1980s for a significant historical figure who worked there after leaving public service. This unusual arrangement for a former senior official remains an overlooked chapter in the building's story.

Location: Manhattan

Official opening: 1969

Floors above the ground: 41

Address: 26 Federal Plaza, New York, NY 10278

GPS coordinates: 40.71545,-74.00420

Latest update: December 20, 2025 12:20