The Met Life Tower

1909

Architect: Napoleon LeBrun & Sons
Address: 5 Madison Avenue, Manhattan

No, not the Met Life Building by Grand Central Station, this is the one grandly towering over Madison Square Park and the original Shake Shack--that one! Designed by church/firehouse/skyscraper master Napoleon LeBrun, the MetLife's clock tower is one of my favorites. The upper part of the building now houses the New York EDITION Hotel (somehow it's more important if "edition" is in all caps?), and Credit Suisse occupies the lower floors. The Met Life Tower is surrounded by several of my favorite buildings, including the Flatiron Building, the Supreme Court-Appellate Division Building (currently under scaffolding), and, of course, Live Bait (love the frontage!).