Walk down toward the tip of Manhattan where the salt air hits you from the East River and you'll find yourself standing in front of a massive, modern glass facade. It’s 50 Water Street. Most people just walk past it on their way to the Staten Island Ferry or the Battery, but for a specific group of people—usually job seekers, health plan members, or city contractors—the destination is very specific: the 7th floor.
New York is a vertical city. You can't just know the street; you have to know the floor.
The building itself is also known as 77 Water Street, a bit of a classic quirk in NYC real estate where one structure claims two different identities depending on which side you're standing on. It’s a 26-story tower that serves as a major hub for various public and private entities. But honestly, if you're looking for 50 Water Street 7th floor New York NY 10004, you’re likely looking for MetroPlusHealth.
Why the 7th Floor Matters
MetroPlusHealth is the primary tenant occupying that specific level. They aren't just any insurance company; they are the heart of New York City’s public health insurance system. Owned by NYC Health + Hospitals, they provide coverage to over half a million New Yorkers.
Think about the sheer volume of paperwork and human lives passing through that digital and physical space.
When you head to the 7th floor, you're entering an administrative powerhouse. It's where the logistics of care happen. If you've ever dealt with Medicaid, Medicare, or the Essential Plan in the city, there’s a high probability your documents or your provider’s claims have been processed by the teams sitting right there, looking out over the Financial District.
It’s not just a sea of cubicles. The space is designed for the modern era of health administration. It handles everything from provider relations to member services. If you’re a doctor trying to get credentialed or a patient advocate resolving a complex billing issue, the 7th floor is the "back office" that makes the "front office" work.
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Getting There Without Getting Lost
Navigating Lower Manhattan is a nightmare. Truly.
The streets aren't on a grid like Midtown. They curve. They end abruptly. They change names for no reason. 50 Water Street sits between Old Slip and Coenties Slip. If you're coming by subway, you’ve got options, but they all involve a bit of a trek.
The 2 or 3 train to Wall Street is a solid bet. You’ll walk past the Stock Exchange, feel the ghost of 1920s finance, and then suddenly hit the modern breeze of the waterfront. Alternatively, take the R or W to Whitehall Street. You’ll be right by the ferry terminal. From there, it’s a quick five-minute walk north.
When you enter the lobby, don't expect to just wander in.
Security is tight. This is a post-9/11 Financial District building. You’ll need a valid ID. You’ll need to state your business. If you aren't on a visitor list, you aren't getting past the turnstiles. The lobby itself is actually quite famous for its "urban plaza" feel, featuring a fake old-timey candy store and a swing set—though most people heading to the 7th floor for a meeting are usually too stressed to enjoy the swings.
The Architecture of 77 Water (and 50 Water)
Let's talk about the building itself because it's kinda fascinating. Built in 1970 and designed by Emery Roth & Sons, it was meant to break the mold of the boring "black box" skyscrapers.
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The developer, Melvyn Kaufman, was famous for wanting to "humanize" the Financial District. That’s why there’s a Sopwith Camel—a literal World War I fighter plane replica—on the roof. You can’t see it from the 7th floor, and you definitely can’t see it from the street, but it’s there. It’s a piece of NYC lore.
The 7th floor sits in the lower "podium" section of the building. This means the floor plates are huge. Unlike the skinny floors at the top of the tower, the 7th floor spans a massive area, allowing MetroPlusHealth to keep their departments integrated.
Key Departments Found at this Address:
- Member Services Oversight: Where the policies that govern your healthcare are refined.
- Provider Contracting: The folks who make sure NYU Langone, Mount Sinai, and NYC Health + Hospitals are all on the same page.
- Administrative Offices: The leadership teams that steer the ship for the city's health initiatives.
What Most People Get Wrong About This Location
People often confuse 50 Water Street with the surrounding buildings like 55 Water or the old Goldman Sachs headquarters. If you tell a cab driver "55 Water," you’re going to end up at a massive 3.8 million-square-foot behemoth next door. You'll be late. 55 Water is the one with the elevated park (the "Elevated Acre"). 50 Water is its smaller, slightly more eccentric neighbor.
Another common mistake? Thinking you can just "drop off" a payment or a form.
Post-COVID, many of these administrative offices moved to a "digital-first" or "appointment-only" model. If you show up at the 7th floor with a paper check or a grievance form without an appointment, you might just be told to drop it in a box or mail it to a P.O. Box in a different borough. Always call ahead. Use the main MetroPlusHealth line or your specific contact's extension before you pay for that Uber.
The Business Ecosystem of the 7th Floor
The Financial District (FiDi) has changed. It's no longer just guys in suits yelling "Buy!" and "Sell!" into chunky phones. It’s now a hub for "GovTech" and "HealthTech."
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Having MetroPlusHealth at 50 Water Street 7th floor New York NY 10004 puts them right in the middle of this shift. They are surrounded by startups, city agencies, and non-profits. This proximity matters. When the City’s Department of Health (DOHMH) needs to coordinate a response to a new public health trend, being a short walk or a few subway stops away from the main city offices is a strategic advantage.
Practical Steps for Your Visit
If you have a meeting or an interview on the 7th floor, prepare for the wind. The "canyon effect" in Lower Manhattan is real. Even on a mild day, the wind whipping off the water between the skyscrapers can be brutal.
Check the weather. Dress in layers.
When you get to the 7th floor, you'll likely find a reception area that feels very corporate yet busy. It has that hum of an organization that is constantly dealing with the complexities of New York City's bureaucracy. It’s professional, it’s fast-paced, and it’s very "New York."
Essential Checklist for 50 Water Street:
- Bring Government Photo ID: No ID, no entry. No exceptions.
- Verify the Entrance: Use the Water Street entrance, not the side slips, to find the main security desk.
- Confirm the Suite: The 7th floor is large; make sure you have the specific room or department name.
- Allow Extra Time: The elevators in these older but renovated towers can be slow during the lunch rush (12:00 PM - 1:30 PM).
Working with or visiting the teams at 50 Water Street requires a bit of patience. You are dealing with one of the most complex healthcare environments in the world. But once you're inside, you're in the room where the decisions that affect the health of millions of New Yorkers are made.
Whether you're there for a contract negotiation, a job interview, or a complex billing resolution, remember that this building is a cornerstone of the city's infrastructure. It might just look like another glass tower, but the work happening on that 7th floor is what keeps the city running.
To ensure a smooth experience, always cross-reference your appointment details with the official MetroPlusHealth portal. If you are a vendor, ensure your credentials are pre-cleared through the building's visitor management system to avoid a long wait in the lobby. For those using public transit, the J/Z at Broad Street is another excellent, often overlooked option that drops you just a few blocks away.