If you’ve ever stood on the corner of 34th and 6th, right where the N, R, Q, W, B, D, F, and M trains all scream into the station at once, you’ve probably looked up at the massive, block-long building hovering over the Macy’s flagship. That’s the Herald Towers. Specifically, it's 50 West 34th Street New York NY 10001.
It’s an address that basically defines the "love it or hate it" New York experience.
Most people just see it as a landmark or a shortcut to avoid the tourists on the sidewalk. But inside? It’s a massive ecosystem. We’re talking about 25 stories of pre-war architecture that houses hundreds of residents who have decided that being in the literal epicenter of Manhattan is worth the noise. It’s a weirdly fascinating spot. You have the historic charm of a building that’s been around since 1912—back when it was the Hotel McAlpin—mixed with the modern, slightly frenetic energy of a high-rise luxury conversion.
Honestly, living at 50 West 34th Street New York NY 10001 is a specific lifestyle choice. You aren't moving here for a quiet, tree-lined street in the West Village. You’re moving here because you want to walk out your door and feel like you’re plugged into a high-voltage socket.
The McAlpin Legacy: From World’s Largest Hotel to Modern Rentals
It’s hard to wrap your head around the fact that when this place opened, it was the largest hotel in the world.
The history here is deep. It wasn't just a building; it was a city within a city. There were Turkish baths. There was a dedicated floor for women travelers—unheard of at the time—and even a hospital. If you walk through the lobby today, you can still catch glimpses of that old-world opulence, even if it's been scrubbed and polished into a modern rental vibe.
The transition from the Hotel McAlpin to Herald Towers didn't happen overnight. It took decades of shifting New York real estate cycles. By the time it became the residential hub it is today, the neighborhood had transformed from the elite shopping district of the Gilded Age to a gritty, high-traffic commercial zone.
People often forget that the building has survived the rise and fall of the Garment District. It watched the Empire State Building go up across the street. It’s a survivor.
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The architectural bones are incredible. Thick walls. High ceilings. You don't get that in the glass towers popping up in Long Island City. But because it’s an old conversion, the layouts at 50 West 34th Street New York NY 10001 can be... unique. You might find a studio that feels like a ballroom or a one-bedroom where the kitchen is tucked away in a corner that feels like an afterthought. That’s the charm, or the frustration, depending on how much you value a symmetrical floor plan.
What It’s Actually Like Inside the Herald Towers
Let’s talk about the elevators.
In a building this size, elevators are the pulse. If they’re slow, your whole morning is ruined. With hundreds of units, the morning rush at 50 West 34th Street New York NY 10001 is a real thing. But once you get past the logistics of living in a vertical village, the perks are actually pretty solid.
The roof deck is the "holy grail" here. You’re staring right at the Empire State Building. It’s so close you feel like you could reach out and touch the spire. On a summer night, when the city heat is rising off the asphalt, that breeze up there is the only thing that keeps you sane.
- The gym is surprisingly massive for a rental building.
- The laundry room is a social club in its own right—bring your headphones if you don't want to hear about your neighbor's dating life.
- Security is tight. You have a 24-hour doorman, which is essential when you consider that millions of people pass through Herald Square every week.
It’s a transitional building. You see a lot of young professionals, international students from NYU or FIT, and people who are new to the city. It’s a landing pad. You stay here for a year or two while you figure out which neighborhood fits your soul. Or, you fall in love with the convenience and never leave.
The Neighborhood Factor: 34th Street Realities
You can't talk about 50 West 34th Street New York NY 10001 without talking about the chaos downstairs.
Herald Square is a lot. It’s the intersection of Broadway, Sixth Avenue, and 34th Street. You have Macy’s, Victoria's Secret, and every flagship store imaginable within a three-block radius. The sidewalk traffic is relentless. If you hate crowds, this is your personal version of purgatory.
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But convenience? It’s unmatched.
Need to get to the airport? Penn Station is a five-minute walk. Need to get to Brooklyn or Queens? Almost every major subway line is right there. It’s arguably the most connected spot in all of Manhattan.
The food scene is a mix. You’ve got the quick-service chains for the commuters, but if you walk a few blocks north or south, you hit Koreatown or Chelsea. Getting a late-night bowl of soondubu on 32nd Street is one of the genuine perks of living at this address. You’re also right near Bryant Park, which is basically the building’s "backyard" during the winter village season or summer movie nights.
The Financials: Is the Rent Worth the Rush?
New York rent is never "cheap," but 50 West 34th Street New York NY 10001 usually sits in that middle-tier luxury bracket. You aren't paying Billionaires' Row prices, but you aren't getting a bargain either.
What you’re paying for is the footprint.
Management often offers concessions—like a month or two of free rent—to keep the units moving, especially since the turnover can be high. You have to watch the "net effective" vs. "gross" rent closely here.
Prospective tenants often overlook the utility situation in older buildings. Sometimes heat is included, sometimes you’re at the mercy of an aging HVAC system. At Herald Towers, the renovations have modernized most of the units, but it’s always worth asking about the specific climate control in the apartment you’re touring. Some units have those classic through-the-wall AC units that can be noisy when the wind kicks up on a high floor.
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Dealing with the Noise and the Energy
If you’re looking for "peace and quiet," move to the Upper West Side.
At 50 West 34th Street New York NY 10001, the city never actually stops. You will hear sirens. You will hear the distant rumble of the subway. You will hear the crowd during the Thanksgiving Day Parade because it literally passes right by your front door.
For some, that’s the draw. It’s the "Great Bright Way." For others, it’s a sensory overload.
The higher floors are obviously quieter. If you can snag a unit on the 20th floor or above, the street noise turns into a low hum. It becomes white noise. But on the lower floors? You’re part of the street. You’re in the mix.
Actionable Advice for Future Residents
If you’re seriously considering a move to 50 West 34th Street New York NY 10001, or if you’re just trying to navigate a visit to the area, here is the ground-truth strategy:
- Tour at different times. Don't just visit at 2:00 PM on a Tuesday. Come by at 6:00 PM on a Friday. See if you can handle the energy of the crowd when everyone is trying to get to Penn Station at the same time.
- Check the specific unit location. Some apartments face the interior courtyard. They’re darker, sure, but they are significantly quieter. If you value sleep over a view of the Macy's sign, go for the courtyard.
- Negotiate the amenities. Sometimes the building will waive the gym fee or other "extra" costs if you’re signing a longer lease. It never hurts to ask.
- Use the side entrances. Residents know that the main entrance on 34th can be a bottleneck. Use the 33rd street side when you can to avoid the heaviest tourist flow.
- Explore the 3rd floor. There are often communal work spaces or lounges that are underutilized. If you work from home, these are life-savers.
Living here is a rite of passage. It’s a way to experience New York at its most intense, most historic, and most convenient. It’s not for everyone, but for those who want to be in the center of the world, there’s nowhere else quite like it.
Make sure you check your mail daily, keep your delivery notifications on—the package room is busy—and always leave five minutes earlier than you think you need to. The elevators wait for no one.
Next Steps for Renters:
Verify current availability through the official Herald Towers leasing office rather than third-party aggregators to avoid outdated pricing. If you're looking for a lease assignment or a sublet, check local community boards specifically for "50 West 34th," as these often pop up from residents moving mid-term. Finally, ensure your paperwork (3x rent in savings, 40x rent in annual income) is ready before touring; units in this zip code move within hours, not days.