NYC’s 100 Tallest Buildings: The Titans of Midtown & Downtown (Part 2)

NYC’s 100 Tallest Buildings: The Titans of Midtown & Downtown (Part 2)

Welcome back to the AZ New York series on the 100 giants of the Manhattan skyline. In Part 1, we covered the “Top 10” titans—the supertalls that define New York’s modern peak, from One World Trade Center to the pinnacles of Billionaires’ Row.

Now, we move deeper into the list, exploring ranks 11 through 20. This group includes timeless Art Deco legends, 21st-century corporate powerhouses, and the architectural icons that anchor the city’s newest neighborhoods. These are the buildings that create the dense, unparalleled “forest of steel” that makes New York iconic.

The Titans: NYC’s Tallest Buildings (Ranks 11-20)

11. 53W53 (MoMA Expansion Tower)

Data: Height: 1,050 ft (320m) | Year: 2019

A true work of art, this residential tower rises directly above the Museum of Modern Art (MoMA). Designed by architect Jean Nouvel, 53W53 is famous for its exposed structural grid, known as the “diagrid,” which gives the building its tapering, crystalline appearance. Its design is a direct response to complex zoning, creating a structure that is both a luxury residence and a piece of sculpture.

12. The New York Times Building

Data: Height: 1,046 ft (319m) | Year: 2007

Tied for the next spot, this tower signaled the westward shift of Midtown. Designed by Renzo Piano, the building is renowned for its “transparency,” featuring a double-skin glass curtain wall with ceramic rods that help diffuse sunlight. This design reflects the mission of its primary tenant, The New York Times Company, and serves as a modern beacon near Times Square.

13. Chrysler Building

Data: Height: 1,046 ft (319m) | Year: 1930

The eternal icon of Art Deco architecture. For 11 months, the Chrysler Building was the tallest in the world, thanks to its secret weapon: the 185-foot stainless steel spire, which was assembled in secret inside the building and hoisted into place in just 90 minutes. While no longer a corporate HQ, its gleaming, terraced crown remains one of the most beloved and beautiful silhouettes on Earth.

14. 50 Hudson Yards

Data: Height: 1,011 ft (308m) | Year: 2022

The new center of gravity for corporate power in NYC. As the city’s fourth-largest office tower, 50 Hudson Yards is an absolute behemoth, housing the headquarters of giants like BlackRock and Meta (Facebook). Its imposing, glass-and-stone structure is designed to be a “city within a city” for its tenants, solidifying Hudson Yards as Manhattan’s new business capital.

15. 35 Hudson Yards

Data: Height: 1,010 ft (308m) | Year: 2019

The tallest *residential* building in the Hudson Yards complex, 35 Hudson Yards is a mixed-use marvel. The limestone-and-glass tower is home to ultra-luxury condominiums, the world’s first Equinox Hotel, a high-end Equinox fitness club, and various corporate offices. It is designed to be the premier luxury lifestyle building of the entire development.

16. Four World Trade Center

Data: Height: 978 ft (298m) | Year: 2013

The first tower to be completed on the 16-acre World Trade Center site since 9/11. Designed by Fumihiko Maki, 4 WTC is a masterclass in minimalist elegance. Its polished, reflective glass facade is designed to be “respectfully quiet,” acting as a mirror to the 9/11 Memorial plaza at its base. It serves as a dignified and sleek corporate anchor for Lower Manhattan.

17. 70 Pine Street

Data: Height: 952 ft (290m) | Year: 1932

Another Art Deco masterpiece from the 1930s skyscraper race. Originally built as the Cities Service Building, 70 Pine Street was the tallest building in Lower Manhattan for decades (until the original WTC). After being largely vacant, the building was meticulously restored and converted into luxury residential apartments, preserving its stunning, ornate lobby and unique spire.

18. 220 Central Park South

Data: Height: 952 ft (290m) | Year: 2019

While tied in height with 70 Pine, this building represents the pinnacle of modern “Billionaires’ Row” wealth. Clad in Alabama limestone (a nod to pre-war classics), 220 CPS is one of the most exclusive and secretive addresses in the world. It famously houses the most expensive home ever sold in the United States—a penthouse purchased by billionaire Ken Griffin for a reported $238 million.

19. 15 Hudson Yards

Data: Height: 917 ft (280m) | Year: 2019

Known for its unique “cinched” or “corseted” glass shape, 15 Hudson Yards is the first residential tower to have been completed in the Hudson Yards development. Its design gracefully morphs as it rises, and it is directly connected to “The Shed,” the innovative cultural and arts center at the base of the tower, making it a hub for both luxury living and culture.

20. 8 Spruce Street (New York by Gehry)

Data: Height: 870 ft (265m) | Year: 2010

A dazzling deconstructivist icon in Lower Manhattan. Designed by legendary architect Frank Gehry, this tower is famous for its “rippling” stainless steel facade, meant to resemble draped fabric. It was the tallest *residential-only* tower in the world upon completion and remains one of the most architecturally significant rental buildings in the city.

The Journey Continues…

From Art Deco classics to the new hubs of finance and luxury, this list shows the incredible diversity of New York’s vertical landscape. Stay tuned for Part 3, where we’ll explore ranks 21-30.

NYC’s Tallest: Ranks 11-20 (Quick Summary)

NYC skyline, tallest buildings, skyscrapers, New York architecture, Midtown Manhattan, Lower Manhattan, Hudson Yards, Billionaires’ Row, 53W53, MoMA Tower,

The New York Times Building, Chrysler Building, 50 Hudson Yards, 35 Hudson Yards, Four World Trade Center, 70 Pine Street, 220 Central Park South, 15 Hudson Yards, 8 Spruce Street, New York by Gehry, Art Deco, Jean Nouvel, Renzo Piano, Frank Gehry, NYC real estate

The 10 Tallest Buildings in New York: Meet the Giants of Steel and Glass