Flatiron Building

Overview

The Flatiron Building is a 22-story triangular steel-framed skyscraper at the intersection of Broadway and Fifth Avenue. Its distinctive wedge shape, only 2 meters wide at the pointed north end, makes it one of New York's most recognizable and most photographed buildings.

Highlights

• The Shape: The dramatic triangular form tapering to an impossibly thin point, best appreciated from street level at the Madison Square Park side.
• Madison Square Park: The lovely green park directly across the street offers the best vantage points for photography, plus the original Shake Shack.
• Beaux-Arts Detail: The elaborate terra-cotta facade features Renaissance-inspired ornamental details across all 21 stories.

History

Completed in 1902 and designed by Daniel Burnham, it was one of New York's first skyscrapers. Originally called the Fuller Building, locals nicknamed it the "Flatiron" for its resemblance to a clothes iron. After years of vacancy, it is being converted to luxury condominiums.

Visitor Tips

• Photography: The classic photo angle is from the north sidewalk of 23rd Street looking south, catching the full triangular point.
• Shake Shack: The original Shake Shack location in Madison Square Park is directly across the street.
• Duration: 15–20 minutes.