Katana VentraIP

Demarest Building

The Demarest Building was a four-story structure at 339 Fifth Avenue in Midtown Manhattan, New York City, designed by Renwick, Aspinwall & Russell and constructed for coachbuilder Aaron T. Demarest. An 1893 fire destroyed property in the building, which was later used for other purposes.

For the building at 57th Street and Broadway that is also called the "Demarest Building", see 224 West 57th Street.

Demarest Building

339 Fifth Ave

New York City

United States

1889

Pi Capital Partners

four stories

Description[edit]

The Demarest Building is located on the northeast corner of Fifth Avenue and 33rd Street in Midtown Manhattan, just east of the Empire State Building.[1][2][3][4][5] The building has been compared stylistically to Carnegie Hall.[3]

History[edit]

A July 26, 1893 fire destroyed property at the building.[6][3][7] The building was later converted to other uses.[8][3]


By 2015, developer Pi Capital Partners planned to replace the building and neighboring structures with a new residential tower.[9] In 2019, Pi Capital filed plans for a 26-story mixed-use development on the site of the Demarest Building,[10][11] with 82 apartments.[11] This prompted preservationists and groups, including the Greenwich Village Society for Historic Preservation, to petition the New York City Landmarks Preservation Commission (LPC) to designate the building as an official city landmark, thereby protecting it from demolition. The LPC expressed concern that the building's exterior had been altered too frequently throughout its history and the old building was not saved.[10][12] As of 2021, it is being replaced by a 21-story, 82-unit mixed-use building with commercial space at the base and up to five residential units on each floor.[13]

Kane, Joseph Nathan (1997). . The H. W. Wilson Company. ISBN 0-8242-0930-3. The first electric elevator successfully operated was installed in 1889 by Otis Brothers and Company in the Demarest Building, Fifth Avenue and 33rd Street, New York City.

Famous First Facts, Fifth Edition

Madsen, Axel (2002). . Wiley Press. ISBN 9780471009351.

John Jacob Astor

Martinez, Mark Anthony (2009). . Kumarian Press. ISBN 9781565492677.

The Myth of the Free Market