Coty Building, Commercial landmark building on Fifth Avenue, Manhattan, United States
The Coty Building is a six-story limestone structure on Fifth Avenue in Manhattan, featuring a French-inspired facade and a mansard roof. It stands directly next to the modern tower at 712 Fifth Avenue, creating a clear contrast with its surroundings.
In 1907, a businessman commissioned architect Woodruff Leeming to convert an older brick townhouse into a commercial building. Decades later, in 1985, the structure was granted landmark status by New York City, protecting it from major alterations.
The middle floors are lined with decorative glass panels made by French artist René Lalique, created specifically for this building. This is his only architectural work in the United States, making it a point of interest for anyone familiar with his glass art.
The building is on Fifth Avenue, one of the busiest streets in Manhattan, and easy to reach on foot from nearby subway stops. The facade is best seen from the sidewalk, as the interior is generally not open to the public.
When the adjacent modern tower was built in 1990, a four-story atrium was added inside the older structure, invisible from the street. This hidden interior space connects the original limestone facade with a contemporary inner design that most passersby never see.
The community of curious travelers
AroundUs brings together thousands of curated places, local tips, and hidden gems, enriched daily by 60,000 contributors worldwide.
