You’ve probably walked past it. If you’ve spent any time trekking between the Empire State Building and Madison Square Park, you have definitely seen it. 105 Madison Avenue New York NY doesn't shout for attention like the glass-and-steel behemoths in Hudson Yards. It doesn't need to. It’s got that gritty, classic Midtown South soul that tech startups and creative agencies would basically kill for.
Midtown South is weird. Honestly, it’s one of the most competitive office markets in the world, yet it feels incredibly lived-in. 105 Madison sits right at the heart of this tension. Built back in 1913, this 20-story building is a quintessential example of how New York repurposes its history. It’s not just a block of limestone and brick. It’s a bellwether for whether the "flight to quality" in office real estate is actually a real thing or just some buzzword brokers use to feel better at lunch.
The Bones of 105 Madison Avenue New York NY
Let's talk specs. Real specs.
The building spans roughly 270,000 square feet. In the grand scheme of Manhattan skyscrapers, that’s mid-sized. Boutique, almost. But the floor plates are the real draw. We are looking at roughly 13,000 to 15,000 square feet per floor. Why does that matter? Because it’s the "Goldilocks" zone for mid-sized firms. You can take an entire floor and actually feel like you own the place. No sharing a hallway with three other companies. No awkward elevator small talk with strangers who work in a completely different industry.
Owned and managed by A&R Real Estate, the building has undergone the kind of renovations that matter. They didn't just slap a coat of paint on the lobby. They went for the windows, the elevators, and the HVAC systems. If you’re running a high-end showroom or a tech hub, you need air that actually moves and light that doesn't make everyone look like they’re in a 1970s interrogation room.
The architecture is neo-Renaissance. It has those ornate cornices and the kind of solid masonry that makes you feel like the building isn't going anywhere. It’s sturdy.
Why NoMad is Eating Everyone's Lunch
Location is everything, but "location" is a lazy word. Let's be specific about 105 Madison Avenue New York NY. It’s sitting at the intersection of 30th Street and Madison.
Ten years ago, this area was... fine. It was mostly wholesale rug shops and lighting stores. Now? It’s NoMad (North of Madison Square Park). It’s home to the Ritz-Carlton, the Ned, and more high-end coffee shops than any human could visit in a lifetime.
🔗 Read more: Price of Tesla Stock Today: Why Everyone is Watching January 28
The proximity to transit is actually insane.
- You’ve got the 6 train at 28th and 33rd.
- The N, R, and W are a short walk away.
- PATH trains? Easy.
- Penn Station is close enough to walk but far enough that you don't feel the "Penn Station energy," which is usually just a mix of desperation and overpriced pretzels.
The tenant mix at 105 Madison reflects this shift. It’s a lot of apparel, home furnishings, and professional services. These are businesses that need to be near the Design District but want the prestige of a Madison Avenue address without the stifling formality of the Upper East Side.
The Reality of Post-2020 Office Space
We have to address the elephant in the room. Or the empty desk in the room.
Is anybody actually working in offices anymore?
The data says yes, but only if the office doesn't suck. 105 Madison Avenue New York NY succeeds because it isn't a "cubicle farm." The high ceilings—we’re talking 11 to 12 feet in many spots—and the oversized windows create an environment that people actually want to commute to.
Real estate experts like those at Cushman & Wakefield or JLL often talk about the "amenity wars." While 105 Madison doesn't have a rooftop pickleball court (thank God), it has something better: proximity to the park. Madison Square Park is effectively the building’s backyard. If you’re a tenant there, your "break room" is Shake Shack and the public art installations.
The vacancy rates in NoMad have stayed remarkably resilient compared to the Financial District. Why? Because the buildings here are adaptable. You can turn a 15,000-square-foot floor at 105 Madison into an open-plan tech office, a partitioned legal suite, or a showroom for Italian fabrics.
💡 You might also like: GA 30084 from Georgia Ports Authority: The Truth Behind the Zip Code
Decoding the Lease Structures
If you're looking at space here, you aren't just looking at rent. You're looking at the "work-letter."
In 105 Madison Avenue New York NY, leases are often long-term, but the landlord has shown a willingness to play ball with tenant improvements. This is crucial. In a market where construction costs have skyrocketed, getting a "turn-key" or "plug-and-play" suite is the difference between moving in next month and moving in next year.
Current asking rents in the NoMad submarket for Class B+ and Class A- buildings like this generally hover in the $60 to $80 per square foot range. It's not cheap. It's New York. But compared to the $120+ you’ll see in the new Hudson Yards towers, it’s a steal for the character you get.
The Surprising History
Most people don't realize that this building was once a hub for the "Silversmiths" and jewelry trades. It has a legacy of craftsmanship. That history is baked into the walls. When you see the intricate details on the facade, you’re seeing the pride of early 20th-century New York industry.
It’s also worth noting the ground-floor retail. The retail at 105 Madison sets the tone. It’s usually occupied by high-end design or lifestyle brands. This isn't where you find a generic pharmacy. It’s where you find the flagship store for something you can't find in a suburban mall.
Actionable Insights for Potential Tenants or Investors
If you are considering 105 Madison Avenue New York NY, you need a strategy. Don't just look at the floor plan.
1. Check the Load Factors. In older buildings, the difference between "rentable" and "usable" square footage can be a shock. Make sure your architect measures the loss factor so you know exactly how many desks you can fit.
📖 Related: Jerry Jones 19.2 Billion Net Worth: Why Everyone is Getting the Math Wrong
2. Evaluate the Fiber. For a 1913 building, the tech infrastructure is surprisingly modern. However, if you are a high-frequency trading firm or a video production house, you need to verify the redundant fiber entries.
3. Leverage the NoMad Boom. Use the neighborhood as a recruiting tool. Mentioning the building's proximity to places like Eataly or the various boutique hotels in the area actually helps with talent acquisition in the current market.
4. Timing the Market. The Midtown South market is sensitive to tech cycles. Keep an eye on the sublease market in the surrounding blocks (like 1107 Broadway or the Toy Center). If there is a glut of sublease space nearby, use that as leverage during your primary lease negotiations at 105 Madison.
What's Next for the Address?
The future of 105 Madison Avenue New York NY is tied to the continued "residentialization" of NoMad. As more luxury condos go up, the demand for local office space increases. People want to live, work, and eat within a ten-block radius.
This building isn't trying to be the future. It's trying to be the best version of the past, updated for 2026. It’s reliable. It’s stylish. It’s deeply New York.
For those tracking the NYC real estate market, watch the tenant turnover here. If the apparel firms start getting replaced by AI startups or biotech labs, you’ll know the neighborhood’s transformation is complete. For now, it remains a perfect bridge between the old-school industry and the new-school creative class.
To move forward with a space at 105 Madison, your first step should be a thorough "zoning and use" audit. Ensure your specific business type aligns with the current CO (Certificate of Occupancy) to avoid multi-month delays with the Department of Buildings. Once that's cleared, focus on the "loss factor" in your lease negotiations to ensure your effective rent stays within budget. Look specifically at the building's southern-facing floors; the light clearance over 30th Street is significantly better than the internal courtyard views. Moving quickly on available "pre-built" suites is usually the most cost-effective way to enter this specific submarket without the headache of a full build-out.