Fred F. French Building is a 38-storey skyscraper in the Lower Midtown neighborhood of Manhattan, New York City. It is located at the northeast corner of 45th Street and Fifth Avenue. The building was erected for Frederick Fillmore French, who headed one of the best known real estate companies in the city. Its present owner is the Feil Organization.

The Fred F. French Building was erected in 1927. It was designed by French's chief architect, H. Douglas Ives, in collaboration with Sloan & Robertson, whose work included the Chanin Building. The architects created a building that brings together differing styles, from Near Eastern to ancient Egyptian to Greek, with early Art Deco forms.

Fred F. French Building, New York CityFred F. French Building, New York City
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The upper façade of the Fred F. French Building is decorated with multicolored faïence ornaments. A false top hides the building's water tank. The building was the first ever to employ members of the Native Canadian Caughnawaga tribe as construction workers. Their lack of fear for working in great heights soon make them much sought after in the skyscraper construction industry.

The Fred F. French Building was inscribed in the National Register of Historic Places in January, 2004.

How to reach the Fred F. French Building

The Fred F. French Building is located at 521 5th Avenue. Take the 7 train to the 5th Avenue subway station. Walk north along 5th Avenue until you see the Fred F. French Building after the intersection with East 43rd Street.

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