It’s a massive stone behemoth. If you’ve ever walked down 23rd Street toward Sixth Avenue, you’ve definitely seen it—the towering, Neoclassical structure that looks more like a fortress than an apartment complex. That’s 60 West 23rd Street. Most locals just call it the Masonic Hall. It’s one of those weird New York City anomalies where secret society history, high-end retail like Eataly, and everyday residential life all smash together into one limestone block.
Honestly, it’s a bit jarring. You walk past these giant bronze doors where guys in suits are heading to secret meetings, and then two doors down, someone is dragging a bag of laundry into the residential entrance. People are always asking if it’s actually a "Masonic temple" or just a regular apartment building. The answer is both. It’s a hybrid. It’s also one of the most strategically located spots in Flatiron, even if the "vibe" inside is a little different than your average glass-and-steel luxury tower.
The Architecture of 60 West 23rd Street
The building actually consists of two main parts: the "old" North Building on 24th Street and the "newer" South Building at 60 West 23rd Street. When people talk about living here, they’re usually talking about the 19-story addition that went up in the early 1900s. It was designed by Harry P. Knowles, who was a Mason himself. You can tell. The detail is obsessive. We’re talking about massive columns, ornate carvings, and a lobby that feels like it belongs in a museum rather than a place where you wait for your Uber.
Living here isn't like living in a Brooklyn loft. The walls are thick. Like, really thick. Because it was built to house grand meeting halls and massive pipe organs, the structural integrity is overkill for a residential unit. This is a huge plus if you hate hearing your neighbor’s Netflix binge. However, because it’s a historic landmark, the windows can be a bit finicky compared to modern builds. You’re trading floor-to-ceiling glass for "character," which is real-estate speak for "it looks cool but might be drafty."
What’s actually inside the "Secret" floors?
It's not a conspiracy theory. The Grand Lodge of Free and Accepted Masons of the State of New York owns the building. The upper floors of the complex contain some of the most stunning interior spaces in Manhattan. There are about a dozen different "lodge rooms" decorated in various styles—Egyptian, Gothic, Ionic, Renaissance. It’s wild. While residents don't get to just wander into the Grand Lodge Room for a snack, the presence of the Masons keeps the building's maintenance standards incredibly high. They aren't going anywhere. They’ve been on this corner since the mid-1800s in one form or another.
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Living at 60 West 23rd Street: The Reality
So, what’s the actual day-to-day like? It’s Manhattan. It’s loud outside. 23rd Street is a major crosstown artery, so if your apartment faces south, you're going to hear the M23 bus and the constant hum of sirens. That’s the trade-off for being in the heart of everything.
The units themselves—officially known as the Masonic Hall apartments at 60 West 23rd Street—range from studios to larger two-bedroom layouts. They are mostly rentals. You’ll find high ceilings, often 10 to 12 feet, which makes even the smaller studios feel less like a shoebox. The kitchens usually have stainless steel and granite, which was the "luxury" standard of the 2010s. It’s nice, but maybe not "ultra-modern" by 2026 standards.
The Flatiron "Backyard"
You don't have a private balcony here. Almost nobody in this neighborhood does. But you have Madison Square Park two blocks away. That’s your backyard. You have the original Shake Shack, the dog park, and the constant art installations. It’s one of the few places in the city that feels manicured but still "lived in."
Then there’s the food. You are literally across the street from Eataly. You can walk over and buy a $20 loaf of bread or some high-end olive oil in your sweatpants. Is it practical? No. Is it awesome? Yeah, kinda. You also have Trader Joe’s on 21st and Whole Foods on 24th. From a grocery perspective, 60 West 23rd Street is arguably in the best 5-block radius in the entire city.
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Space, Price, and Competition
Let's talk money. Flatiron isn't cheap. It never will be. 60 West 23rd Street usually positions itself just below the "super-luxury" tier of buildings like One Madison. You’re paying for the location and the security of a 24-hour doorman building.
- Studios: Expect to pay a premium. Even without a gym in the building (which is a common complaint), the proximity to the F/M and R/W trains keeps demand high.
- One-Bedrooms: These are the sweet spot. They often have weird layouts because they were carved out of older floor plans, but that also means you get "nooks" that work perfectly for a home office.
- Two-Bedrooms: Rare and expensive. Usually occupied by roommates splitting a massive bill or young families who aren't ready to move to the suburbs yet.
One thing that surprises people is the lack of "fluff" amenities. There’s no roof deck with a pool. No peloton-filled basement. You get a doorman, an elevator, and a laundry room. For some, that’s a dealbreaker. For others, they’d rather not pay an extra $500 a month for a gym they’ll never use when there’s a Chelsea Piers Fitness or an Equinox within walking distance.
Logistics and the Neighborhood Grind
The 23rd Street subway station is right there. Like, right there. You can get to the West Side, the East Side, or Downtown in about 15 minutes. This is a massive "win" for anyone who actually works for a living.
But there’s a downside to the convenience. The sidewalk in front of 60 West 23rd Street is a gauntlet. Between the tourists trying to find the Flatiron Building and the commuters rushing for the PATH train, it’s a high-traffic zone. You learn to do the "New York weave" pretty quickly.
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The "Hidden" Benefits
Because the building is owned by the Masons and has a lot of commercial space (retail on the ground floor, offices on the mid-levels), the residential portion feels very private. You aren't sharing a hallway with 50 other people. It’s a bit more "adult" than the newer high-rises in Kips Bay or Long Island City where it feels like a dorm for 24-year-old tech bros.
Is 60 West 23rd Street Right for You?
Look, if you want a sleek, glass-walled condo where you can see the Statue of Liberty from your shower, this isn't it. This is a building for people who like history. People who want to live in a place that feels like "Old New York" but with a renovated kitchen.
It’s for the person who wants to be able to walk to Chelsea, Union Square, and NoMad in ten minutes. It’s for the person who finds it cool that there’s a giant, ornate secret society hall right above their head.
Actionable Advice for Potential Renters
- Check the Windows: If you're touring a unit, ask when the windows were last serviced. In these older stone buildings, the seals can wear down, leading to higher ConEd bills in the winter.
- Ask About the Commercial Tenants: The ground floor has changed over the years. Always check who is currently occupying the retail space; a quiet boutique is a very different neighbor than a late-night bar or a high-volume restaurant.
- Negotiate the Lack of Amenities: Since the building doesn't have a gym or a communal roof deck, use that as leverage. Look at the "net effective" rent compared to buildings nearby that do offer those things.
- Visit at Rush Hour: Stand outside the entrance at 5:30 PM on a Tuesday. See if you can handle the noise and the crowd. If it stresses you out then, it’ll stress you out when you’re carrying groceries.
- Look at the Layouts: Because of the building's age, no two "Line A" apartments are necessarily identical if they've been renovated at different times. Don't assume the photos online for 4C are the same as 5C.
The allure of 60 West 23rd Street is the paradox. It's a secret hidden in plain sight. It's a fortress in the middle of a shopping district. If you can handle the 23rd Street chaos, it’s one of the most stable and unique places to hang your hat in Manhattan.