What is 998 Fifth Avenue known for?

998 Fifth Avenue is regarded as one of New York City's most selective pre-war cooperatives and was described by the Landmarks Preservation Commission as the finest Italian Renaissance-style apartment house in the city.

Who designed 998 Fifth Avenue and when was it built?

The building was designed by the architectural firm McKim, Mead & White and built by James T. Lee between 1910 and 1912.

Where is 998 Fifth Avenue located?

The building is located across the avenue from the Metropolitan Museum of Art.

What is the architectural style of the building?

It is a 12-story, limestone-clad apartment house designed in the Italian Renaissance (or Renaissance Revival) style.

Is 998 Fifth Avenue a designated landmark?

Yes, 998 Fifth Avenue was designated as a New York City landmark by the Landmarks Preservation Commission in 1973.

What should I check before going?

Use Gyde for context, then check official sources for current hours, tickets, construction, and closures.

998 Fifth Avenue in New York City

998 Fifth Avenue

A masterpiece of Italian Renaissance-style architecture, 998 Fifth Avenue is a limestone-clad landmark designed by McKim, Mead & White and regarded as one of New York City's most selective pre-war cooperatives.

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What to know

Standing 150 feet tall, 998 Fifth Avenue is a 12-story limestone-clad apartment house that represents the height of early 20th-century luxury. Designed by the renowned architectural firm McKim, Mead & White and constructed by James T. Lee between 1910 and 1912, the building was crafted in the Italian Renaissance style. The New York City Landmarks Preservation Commission officially designated it a landmark in 1973, describing it as the finest Italian Renaissance-style apartment house in the city. At the time of its completion in 1912, this residence was viewed as the most expensive and exclusive multi-family home in New York. It was specifically intended to convince wealthy society members, who were accustomed to private town houses, that apartment living could be just as desirable. This shift was driven by a trend around 1910 where prominent families moved into apartments for convenience and economic reasons. The building's exclusivity was evident from the start; three apartments were rented before construction was even finished. Early inhabitants included high-profile figures such as Murray Guggenheim, Henry Rogers Winthrop, and Levi P. Morton, a former Governor of New York State and U.S. Vice President. The structure maintains this prestige today, containing only 17 to 18 sprawling residences across its floors. Converted to a cooperative in 1953, the building continues to be one of the most selective pre-war cooperatives in Manhattan. Its strategic location places it directly across the avenue from the Metropolitan Museum of Art, cementing its place in the architectural and social fabric of the Upper East Side.

Visitor tips

View the building from across the street to capture the full 150-foot height and limestone facade.
Visit during the day to see the intricate Italian Renaissance-style architectural details clearly.
Combine this stop with a visit to the Metropolitan Museum of Art, located directly across the avenue.

Nearby context

Located on the Upper East Side, 998 Fifth Avenue sits in one of the city's most prestigious residential corridors. Its most notable neighbor is the Metropolitan Museum of Art, which sits directly across the street, making this corner a hub of cultural and architectural significance.