Walk down 42nd Street and you'll mostly see a blur of neon, overpriced Elmo impersonators, and tourists clutching $15 hot dogs. It’s loud. It’s frantic. But if you stop right between 8th and 9th Avenues and look up, everything changes. You're staring at 330 West 42nd Street, a building that basically looks like a giant, turquoise-green staircase reaching for the clouds. This isn't just another Midtown office block; it’s the McGraw-Hill Building, a Raymond Hood masterpiece that shocked the city when it went up in 1931.
Back then, most skyscrapers were trying to look like gothic cathedrals or Roman temples. Not this one.
Hood decided to go bold. He used blue-green terracotta tiles that change color depending on how the sun hits them. Some days it looks seafoam green, other days it's a moody teal. It was actually the first building in New York City to be tagged with the "International Style" label by the Museum of Modern Art. Honestly, it’s a bit of a miracle it’s still standing in its original glory, considering how fast NYC eats its own history.
Why 330 West 42nd Street Looks So Weird (In a Good Way)
People at the time hated it. Or they were just confused. Critics called it "ugly" and complained about the horizontal windows. But that’s exactly what makes it iconic today. Unlike the nearby Empire State Building, which tapers off in a very traditional way, 330 West 42nd Street uses "setbacks" that feel more like a machine than a monument.
The color is the real kicker. It’s officially "blue-green," but let's be real—it’s a giant teal radiator. The tiles were manufactured by the Atlantic Terra Cotta Company, and they were supposed to make the building blend into the sky. Does it? Not really. It stands out like a sore thumb, but in the best way possible. The bands of windows are separated by these darker green metal panels, creating a striped look that makes the building feel wider and more grounded than its neighbors.
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The Raymond Hood Legacy
Raymond Hood wasn't playing around. This is the same guy who did the Daily News Building and worked on Rockefeller Center. He was obsessed with efficiency. By using horizontal ribbon windows, he ensured that every single desk inside had actual sunlight. That was a big deal in 1931. Offices were usually dark, cramped caves. Hood wanted to prove that a skyscraper could be functional and "modern" without all the gargoyles and gold leaf.
From Publishing Giant to... Apartments?
For decades, this was the headquarters of the McGraw-Hill publishing empire. You can still see the massive 11-foot-tall letters at the top—well, you could, until they were removed during recent renovations. That caused a huge stir among preservationists. Groups like the Landmarks Preservation Commission and the Historic Districts Council have spent years fighting to make sure the lobby and exterior aren't gutted.
The building is currently in a weird transition phase. It’s mostly known now as the "McGraw-Hill Building" still, but the tenants are changing. Since the pandemic, like a lot of Midtown, the shift has been toward mixed use. There’s been talk for years about converting upper floors into luxury rentals or condos. It makes sense. Who wouldn't want 12-foot ceilings and views of the Hudson River while living in an Art Deco fever dream?
The Battle Over the Lobby
If you want to see a preservationist get really angry, mention the 330 West 42nd Street lobby.
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In 2021, the building's owners, Deco Tower Associates, started a massive renovation. The original lobby was a wild mix of green and blue steel, meant to mimic the exterior. It was sleek. It was "machine age" perfection. Then, the owners wanted to modernize it. The design community lost its mind. Why? Because the lobby wasn't technically landmarked, even though the outside was.
It’s a classic New York story: a private owner wants a "clean, modern look" (which usually means a lot of white marble and generic lighting) while historians are screaming that we’re losing a piece of the 1930s soul. Eventually, a compromise was struck to save some elements, but it’s a reminder that these buildings are always at risk.
What’s Inside Right Now?
- Office Space: Still the primary use, though much of it is being upgraded to "Class A" standards.
- The Views: Because it sits slightly west of the main Midtown cluster, the views of the Hudson River and the New Jersey skyline are unobstructed.
- Retail: The ground floor usually hosts a rotating cast of New York staples, but the real draw is the architecture itself.
How to Experience the Building Without Getting Kicked Out
You can’t just wander through the offices, obviously. Security in New York isn't what it was in the 30s. But you can appreciate 330 West 42nd Street by just standing on the corner of 8th Avenue and looking west.
Look at the "crown." It doesn't have a spire. It has these tiered, flat levels that look like they could dock a zeppelin. It’s an incredible example of how architects were trying to figure out the future before the future actually happened.
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If you're an architecture nerd, pair this visit with a walk to the Daily News Building on 42nd and 2nd. You’ll see the evolution of Raymond Hood’s brain. He went from the vertical "stripes" of the Daily News to the horizontal "bands" of McGraw-Hill in just a few years. It’s like watching an artist go from their blue period to their cubist period in real-time.
The Verdict on 330 West 42nd Street
Is it the prettiest building in New York? Maybe not. Is it the most important? Arguably, yes. It paved the way for the glass boxes of the 1950s and 60s, but it did it with way more style and color. It’s a survivor of the Great Depression, the decline of 42nd Street in the 70s, and the Disney-fication of Times Square in the 90s.
If you’re planning to visit or just curious about the neighborhood, keep an eye on the renovation progress. The building is evolving, and whether it becomes a tech hub or a high-end residential tower, its green silhouette isn't going anywhere.
What to do next:
If you’re in the city, take the A/C/E train to 42nd Street-Port Authority. Exit on the 8th Avenue side and walk one block west. Don't look at your phone. Look up at the turquoise tiles. Compare the color of the building at noon versus 5:00 PM during the "golden hour." The way the light catches the terracotta is something a photo can't quite capture. Afterward, head to the nearby Drama Book Shop to see another example of how this neighborhood keeps its cultural roots alive despite the massive skyscrapers closing in.