You know that feeling when you're standing in the middle of Midtown and everything just feels... loud? That's the vibe right outside 150 West 51st Street New York NY. But once you step inside the lobby of the Executive Plaza, things change. Fast. It’s one of those rare spots in Manhattan that manages to be right in the thick of the chaos—literally steps from Rockefeller Center and Radio City Music Hall—while actually serving as a functional place to live or stay.
Honestly, it’s a bit of a local legend for corporate types.
People usually find this address because they’re looking for a short-term rental or a pied-à-terre that doesn't feel like a sterile hotel room. It was built back in 1927, which gives it that "Old New York" backbone, but it was converted to condominiums around 1984. That’s why the floor plans are a little different than the glass towers popping up in Hudson Yards. You get actual walls. You get a sense of history.
What’s the real deal with the location?
If you hate crowds, don't move here. Seriously.
The building sits on 51st Street between Sixth and Seventh Avenues. You’ve got the 1, N, R, W, B, D, F, and M trains all within a five-minute walk. It’s a commuter’s dream and a tourist’s playground. If you work at NBC or one of the big law firms on Sixth, you can basically roll out of bed and be at your desk in ten minutes. That’s the "Executive" part of the Executive Plaza name.
It’s busy. There are always delivery guys, tourists asking for directions to the Halal Guys cart on 53rd, and people in suits rushing to power lunches at Le Bernardin nearby.
But here is the thing: because 150 West 51st Street New York NY allows for short-term rentals (with a 30-day minimum, usually), it has this transient, high-energy pulse. It’s not a quiet, sleepy residential block in the West Village. It is Midtown. Pure, unadulterated Midtown.
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The units and the "Midtown Squeeze"
Let's talk about the apartments. Most of the 440+ units are studios or one-bedrooms. You’re not going to find many sprawling three-bedroom family apartments here. It’s designed for the professional.
The studios are often surprisingly efficient. Many owners have renovated them to include Murphy beds or clever storage solutions because, let’s be real, Manhattan real estate is about inches, not feet. You'll see lots of stainless steel and granite in the updated units, but since these are individually owned condos, the quality of the "look" varies wildly from one door to the next. One unit might look like a sleek West Elm catalog; the one next door might still have 1990s oak cabinets.
The views can be a hit or miss. If you're on a lower floor facing the street, you're looking at the back of an office building or the street traffic. If you get high enough, though, the city opens up. You start to see the skyline that people pay thousands of dollars for on postcards.
Amenities that actually matter
The building isn't a "luxury" skyscraper with a bowling alley and a rooftop dog park, but it hits the essentials that people who actually live in New York care about.
- 24-Hour Doorman: This is non-negotiable in this part of town. They handle the mountain of Amazon packages and keep the lobby secure.
- Fitness Center: It’s decent. It’s not Equinox, but it’s better than most hotel gyms.
- Roof Deck: This is the secret weapon. In the summer, being able to go up there and see the city lights without paying $25 for a cocktail is a huge win.
- Laundry on-site: It sounds basic, but in a 1920s building, having a reliable laundry room is a luxury.
There's also a dry cleaner and a fitness center right in the building complex. It's built for convenience. It’s for the person who spends 12 hours a day at the office and just wants their life to be as frictionless as possible when they get home.
The Investment Angle
Investors love 150 West 51st Street New York NY. Why? Because it’s one of the few buildings in this specific corridor that is "condop-style" or condo-legal for shorter leases. Many buildings in NYC have strict board rules that say you can't lease your place for the first two years, or you can only lease it for two out of every five years.
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Executive Plaza is much more flexible.
That’s why you see so many corporate relocation companies snatching up units here. They know they can always fill a room at 51st and 6th. The demand is evergreen. Even during market dips, Midtown remains the commercial heart of the city.
Living at 150 West 51st Street: The Day-to-Day
Imagine waking up on a Tuesday. You grab a coffee at the Starbucks right on the corner or maybe head over to Magnolia Bakery if you're feeling like a tourist. You're two blocks from Central Park, so if you're the type who runs, you have the best "backyard" in the world.
For dinner? You’re spoiled. You have everything from the high-end steakhouse vibes of Del Frisco’s to the casual (but legendary) carts on the corner.
The downside? The noise. It’s the "City That Never Sleeps," and 51st Street takes that literally. Sirens, honking, the hum of the city—it’s always there. If you need absolute silence to function, you’ll need some very high-quality noise-canceling headphones or some serious soundproof window inserts.
Addressing the misconceptions
Some people think these older Midtown buildings are run down. That’s not really the case with Executive Plaza. The management (currently FirstService Residential) keeps a tight ship. The lobby is polished, the elevators are generally reliable—which is a big deal in a 21-story building—and the common areas are clean.
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Another misconception is that it's only for tourists. While there are a lot of visitors, there’s a core group of long-term owners and residents who have been there for decades. They know the doormen by name. It has a community, it’s just a very busy one.
Practical Next Steps
If you’re looking at 150 West 51st Street New York NY as a potential home or investment, do your homework on the specific unit. Since they are condos, the "common charges" can vary, and you want to see the most recent board minutes to check for any upcoming assessments (extra fees for building repairs).
Check the windows. If they haven't been updated to Cityproof or similar sound-dampening glass, factor that into your cost if you're a light sleeper.
Tour the building at two different times: once during the midday rush and once at 8:00 PM. You need to know if you can handle the energy of Midtown. If you can, it’s one of the most convenient places to plant your flag in Manhattan. You are at the center of the world, and for a lot of people, that’s exactly where they want to be.
Look at the "days on market" for recent sales in the building. It’ll give you a sense of how fast things move. Usually, they move quick. If you see a unit that’s been sitting for 90 days, there’s usually a reason—either it’s overpriced or the interior needs a total gut job. Compare the price per square foot to other Midtown West condos like those on 54th or 55th Street to make sure you're getting a fair shake.