Sidewalk Clock at 200 5th Avenue, Manhattan
Why it's listed
A cast-iron sidewalk clock about 15 feet high stands on the curb in front of the Fifth Avenue Building at 200 Fifth Avenue, at the junction of Fifth Avenue and Broadway, across from the Flatiron Building. Installed in 1909 with a case made by Hecla Iron Works, it has a fluted column with a modified Composite capital and a dial casing decorated with a wreath and cartouche. Its twin faces keep the original Roman numerals, hands and the inscription naming the Fifth Avenue Building. The original rectangular iron pedestal was destroyed by a truck in 1982 and replaced with a steel shaft. The clock was recognized as a rare surviving early twentieth-century sidewalk clock in New York City, and as an unusual custom-designed Beaux-Arts case that suits the buildings around it. It has remained in its original location since installation and is one of only three sidewalk clocks left on Fifth Avenue. It still serves for timekeeping and advertising.
Significance in brief: The clock is a rare surviving early twentieth-century urban sidewalk clock in New York City. Its custom Beaux-Arts case complements the Beaux-Arts buildings nearby. It has stayed in its original location since installation and is one of only three sidewalk clocks left along Fifth Avenue.
Machine-generated summary. This summary was generated by a language model from the official nomination document and has not been reviewed line by line by an editor. It may contain errors. Check the source document before relying on any detail. Source: nomination document (PDF) · National Archives catalog entry. NRHP reference 85000927, listed April 18, 1985. Summary generated October 2026 (model claude-sonnet-5-5, prompt v1.0-2026-10-29, confidence medium).
Key facts
| Address | 200 5th Ave., New York |
|---|---|
| County | Manhattan |
| Listed | April 18, 1985 |
| Reference number | 85000927 |
| Resource type | Object |
| Architect / builder | Hecla Iron Works case manufacturer |
| Architectural style | Beaux-Arts |
| Areas of significance | Commerce, Art |
| Level of significance | Local |
| Status (as stated in the nomination) | Listed in good condition; the original pedestal was destroyed by a truck in 1982 and replaced with a cylindrical steel shaft. Still used for timekeeping and advertising. |
| Acreage | 0.9 |
| Coordinates | 40.74177, -73.98954 (NPS GIS) |
What listing means for this property
National Register listing is honorary: it recognises significance and does not restrict what a private owner may do without federal money or permits. It unlocks the 20% federal rehabilitation tax credit for income-producing buildings, state credits in many states, and Section 106 review when federal agencies are involved. See what listing means in practice.
General information, not legal or tax advice. Rules change; confirm with your State Historic Preservation Office or a qualified adviser.
Sources and further reading
- National Park Service, National Register of Historic Places database (snapshot May 2026), reference 85000927.
- Nomination form (PDF, National Archives) — catalog entry
- Wikidata Q6105175
- This listing as JSON
Last updated October 2026. Found an error? See the editorial policy for how to report it.