You've probably walked past it a thousand times without realizing it’s a pioneer. 4 Times Square New York NY 10036 USA is that massive, 48-story tower standing on the corner of Broadway and 42nd Street, formerly known to everyone in the city as the Condé Nast Building. It’s hard to miss. The giant H&M sign glows like a second sun, and the NASDAQ MarketSite tower wraps around its base like a digital skin.
But this building is more than just a backdrop for tourists taking selfies.
When it went up in 1999, people thought The Durst Organization was a bit crazy. They were building a "green" skyscraper long before LEED certification was even a thing. Seriously. At the time, Times Square was still shaking off its grittier reputation, and putting a massive, environmentally conscious office tower right in the crosshairs of the "Crossroads of the World" was a massive gamble. It paid off.
The Secret Architecture of 4 Times Square
Most people look at the building and see glass and steel. Boring, right? Wrong. 4 Times Square New York NY 10036 USA was actually designed by Fox & Fowle with some pretty wild tech for the late 90s.
It uses gas-fired absorption chillers. It has a high-performance curtain wall that keeps the heat out in July and the warmth in during those brutal January winds off the Hudson. But the real star is the "hat" of the building. Those solar panels integrated into the skin of the upper floors were revolutionary when they were installed. They don't just look cool; they actually feed power back into the grid.
The building basically pioneered the idea that a skyscraper could be a living, breathing organism rather than just a concrete box.
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Then there’s the NASDAQ MarketSite. It’s arguably the most famous part of the exterior. That curved LED display is four stories tall. It’s the reason why the 10036 zip code feels like the center of the financial universe every time a major tech company goes public and the CEO pushes that big button behind the glass.
Life After Condé Nast
For years, this place was the height of fashion. You’d see Anna Wintour and the Vogue crowd dashing in and out. It was the epicenter of the "Devil Wears Prada" era. But then, things changed. In 2014, Condé Nast packed up and moved downtown to One World Trade Center.
Locals wondered if the building would lose its soul.
It didn't.
Skadden, Arps, Slate, Meagher & Flom—one of the biggest law firms on the planet—was the anchor tenant for a long time too, but they eventually moved to Hudson Yards. This created a massive vacuum. Most buildings would have crumbled under that kind of vacancy, but the Durst family doubled down. They spent roughly $170 million on a massive renovation.
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They added a 45,600-square-foot amenity floor called Well& by Durst. It’s got a massive food hall curated by MasterChef's Claus Meyer, and the views from the terrace are honestly some of the best in Midtown. It transformed the building from a corporate fortress into a modern workspace that actually feels like somewhere you'd want to spend ten hours a day.
Today, BMO (Bank of Montreal) is the big name on the door. They took over a massive chunk of the space, proving that 4 Times Square New York NY 10036 USA is still a heavy hitter in the New York real estate game.
Navigating the 10036 Zip Code
If you’re heading there, don’t just stare at the building.
The 10036 area is a chaotic, beautiful mess. You’re steps away from Bryant Park, which is the perfect escape when the sensory overload of Times Square gets to be too much. The New York Public Library is right there too.
- Subway Access: Basically every train stops here. The 1, 2, 3, 7, N, Q, R, W, and the S shuttle to Grand Central all dump out at the Times Square–42nd Street station. It’s the busiest station in the system.
- The Food Situation: Look, don’t eat at the chain restaurants right in front of the building. Walk a few blocks west to 9th Avenue in Hell’s Kitchen. You’ll find incredible Thai, Italian, and Ethiopian spots that don't charge "tourist tax."
- The Vibe: It's loud. It’s bright. There are guys in off-brand Elmo suits. But 4 Times Square stands above it all with a weirdly calm, professional dignity.
Why 4 Times Square Still Matters
In a city of glass needles and super-tall residential towers on Billionaires' Row, 4 Times Square New York NY 10036 USA matters because it proved that sustainability is profitable. It showed that you could take a "dirty" part of the city and turn it into a global business hub without losing the energy that makes New York, New York.
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It’s a bridge between the old Times Square and the futuristic skyline we see today.
If you're a business looking for space, or just a tourist trying to find your way to a Broadway show, this building serves as a permanent North Star. It’s the anchor of 42nd Street.
Actionable Insights for Your Visit
If you find yourself standing at the base of this Midtown icon, here is how to actually make the most of the area without getting overwhelmed.
Check the NASDAQ Screen for Events
The MarketSite often hosts public events or displays art. If a major company is IPO-ing, the energy outside is electric. It's one of the few places where you can see global finance happening in real-time.
Use the Public Spaces
While the upper floors are restricted to tenants like BMO and National Artists Management Company, the lobby area and the surrounding plaza are great for people-watching. If you need a moment of zen, walk two blocks east to the Bryant Park lawn. It’s the best "backyard" in Manhattan.
Avoid the 42nd Street Bottleneck
Entering the subway directly in front of 4 Times Square can be a nightmare during rush hour. Walk one block north to 43rd or one block south to 41st to find smaller, less congested entrances to the same station complex.
Look Up for the Wind Turbines
Most people miss this, but the building was designed to potentially house wind turbines. While the skyscraper landscape has changed, looking at the mechanical floors near the top gives you a glimpse into the "Machine Age" aesthetic that Fox & Fowle intended. It’s a masterclass in functional industrial design hidden in plain sight.