Sidewalk clock at 200 Fifth Avenue
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Sidewalk Clock at 200 Fifth Avenue | |
New York City Landmark No. LP-1172 | |
 The sidewalk clock at 200 Fifth Avenue | |
| Location | 200 Fifth Avenue, Manhattan, New York City |
|---|---|
| Coordinates | 40°44′31″N 73°59′22″W / 40.7420°N 73.9894°W |
| Built | 1909 |
| Architect | Hecla Iron Works |
| Architectural style | Beaux-Arts |
| NRHP reference No. | 85000927 |
| NYCL No. | LP-1172 |
| Significant dates | |
| Added to NRHP | April 18, 1985 |
| Designated NYCL | 1981 |
The Sidewalk Clock at 200 Fifth Avenue is a historic cast-iron street clock located in the Flatiron District of Manhattan, New York City. Installed in 1909 by the Hecla Iron Works, the clock stands as an example of Beaux-Arts design and serves as a feature of the streetscape. It was designated a New York City Landmark in 1981 and was added to the National Register of Historic Places on April 18, 1985.[1][2]
History
[edit]The clock was installed in 1909 in conjunction with the construction of the Fifth Avenue Building, now known as the Toy Center, located at 200 Fifth Avenue. Manufactured by the Hecla Iron Works, the clock was designed to complement the Beaux-Arts architecture of the building. The clock features a fluted Ionic column topped with a double-faced dial, each face adorned with Roman numerals and encircled by oak leaf wreaths. The dials display the name "Fifth Avenue Building," reflecting the original name of the adjacent structure.[3]
Design and features
[edit]Standing approximately 19 feet (5.8 m) tall, the clock exhibits intricate Beaux-Arts detailing. Its base is rectangular with classical ornamentation, supporting a fluted Ionic column that rises to a capital inspired by the work of 16th-century Venetian architect Vincenzo Scamozzi. The double-faced clock dials are framed by oak leaf wreaths and crowned by a cartouche. Originally gilded, the cast-iron clock was both a functional timepiece and an advertisement for the Fifth Avenue Building.[4]
Preservation
[edit]Recognizing its historical and architectural significance, the New York City Landmarks Preservation Commission designated the clock as a city landmark in 1981. Subsequently, it was listed on the National Register of Historic Places on April 18, 1985, as part of the thematic resource nomination for sidewalk clocks in New York City. These designations have helped ensure the preservation of the clock as an integral part of Manhattan's urban landscape.[1][2]
See also
[edit]- List of New York City Designated Landmarks in Manhattan from 14th to 59th Streets
- National Register of Historic Places listings in Manhattan from 14th to 59th Streets
References
[edit]- ^ a b "Sidewalk Clock, 200 Fifth Avenue" (PDF). New York City Landmarks Preservation Commission. 1981. Retrieved April 3, 2025.
- ^ a b "National Register of Historic Places Inventory Nomination Form". National Park Service. April 18, 1985. Retrieved April 3, 2025.
- ^ "Sidewalk Clock – 200 Fifth Avenue". Historic Districts Council. Retrieved April 3, 2025.
- ^ "The Magnificent 1909 Cast Iron Street Clock at 200 Fifth Avenue". Daytonian in Manhattan. November 9, 2010. Retrieved April 3, 2025.
External links
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