The Inside Scoop on 39 5th Avenue in Greenwich Village
Located between East 10th and 11th Streets in the heart of the Greenwich Village Gold Coast, 39 Fifth Avenue holds a special place in Manhattan real estate history. Built in 1922 by legendary developer duo Bing & Bing in collaboration with master architect Emery Roth, this 14-story pre-war landmark was the very first tall apartment building erected on Lower Fifth Avenue—pioneering the corridor's transition from 19th-century rowhouses into the iconic pre-war enclave we know today.
Distinctive Spanish Renaissance Architecture
Unlike many of its surrounding neo-Georgian or Art Deco neighbors, 39 Fifth Avenue was designed in the Spanish Renaissance style:
Striking Facade: Clad in dark Flemish-bond brick, the facade is punctuated by intricate, multi-colored terra-cotta loggias on the third and upper floors.
Arched Lobby & Old-World Elegance: The entrance and lobby showcase period vaulted arches, refined millwork, and classic 1920s craftsmanship that set a tone of quiet, boutique luxury.
Gracious Interior Scale & Classic Pre-War Details
Housing roughly 58 residences, the building offers an intimate living experience with semi-private landings (often only two to four apartments per floor):
Historic Craftsmanship: Homes feature soaring beamed ceilings, original hardwood floors, and oversized windows offering leafy street and skyline views.
Wood-Burning Fireplaces: Many residences retain working wood-burning fireplaces—a rare and highly coveted pre-war feature in Greenwich Village.
Penthouse Terraces: The upper floors feature grand duplex penthouses with expansive private terraces and views stretching across Downtown Manhattan (one of which famously graced the cover of Architectural Digest).
Full-Service Boutique Living
Operating as a full-service pre-war cooperative, 39 Fifth Avenue provides 24-hour door staff, a live-in superintendent, private storage, and laundry facilities. Its location places residents just steps from Washington Square Park, Union Square, and the neighborhood's finest dining and cultural institutions.
The Verdict
For buyers seeking authentic Emery Roth architecture, rare wood-burning fireplaces, and the intimacy of semi-private elevator landings, 39 Fifth Avenue stands out as a historic, top-tier Gold Coast address.
