Madison Avenue in New York

Madison Avenue is an unplanned, one-way street that wedges into New York's layout, running north from 23rd Street towards the Bronx across the eponymous bridge.

Today, however, it is indispensable — New York without Madison Avenue would be like a person without individuality.

The Golden Miles of Madison Avenue: The Story of Its Inception

The street owes its appearance on the map to businessman Samuel Ruggles. He lobbied for the Lexington and Madison Avenue project for his own selfish interests — to improve transport access to his commercial properties. He wasn't particularly concerned with everything else, hence the Madison project allowed for one-way traffic and fairly dense construction.

The idea was approved in 1836, although the Manhattan plan was drawn up 25 years earlier. Therefore, the street does not have a sequential number — it was not supposed to exist at all. To somehow justify the suddenly inserted line into the city, it was decided to name the street after James Madison, the fourth president of the USA. But as soon as the works were completed, skeptics' opinions sharply changed.

By the beginning of the 20th century, practically all the fashionable boutiques of that time were established on the street, and the upper floors of the buildings were mostly occupied by advertising agencies. Because of this, Madison Avenue has become a generic name for marketing and the advertising industry across the country.

However, to this day, a large number of residential buildings are located on both sides of the street. The cost per square foot is terrifying to call, and despite this, there is always a queue for mansions on Madison. To buy a corner here, even with the money, is a big fortune.

A Small Cultural Revolution

Another rebellious story from the '80s is associated with this street. It was then that the movie Splash, telling the story of a mermaid girl, was released. Transforming into a person, she gave herself a name, naming the first word from the street sign — Madison.

Prior to this, the name Madison, which had Scandinavian roots (literally meaning "son of Maud"), was used only by men. At most, as a surname. But the heroine of the film was so beloved by Americans that newborn girls were soon named after her. Thus, the name Madison became female and still occupies a place in the top most popular names for children.

What to See on Madison Avenue

Madison Avenue, one of the most famous streets in New York, is home to numerous attractions.

• Just a block's walk away, arguably the most notable inhabitant is the triangular Flatiron Building. It's associated with a whole history, which we have written about in more detail. For its era, the building became not only an architectural but also a moral breakthrough. Madison Avenue once again proved to people that "beautiful" and "good" are not synonymous with "typical," "boring," "precisely planned."
• Besides the Flatiron, Madison Avenue is home to the pompous headquarters of the Manhattan Life Insurance Building. Yes, much taller — 33 floors against 22. But this is no more than a race for height — from an architectural perspective, the "iron" remains the dominant figure. After all, as they say, there's no accounting for taste…
• On Madison Avenue, one can find famous advertising agencies that have made significant contributions to the history of American advertising. This street is also known for its trendy boutiques, art galleries, and elegant hotels that attract visitors from around the world.
• Here are the buildings of such important institutions as the Whitney Museum of American Art and the Museum of National History. Not to mention that Madison Avenue is home to many famous individuals and media personalities.
• Also located here is the sports arena Madison Square Garden. Although not directly on Madison Avenue, it is an important landmark in close proximity. It is the home stadium for New York's NBA and NHL teams — it is said that both basketball and hockey teams win most often here. In addition, Madison Square Garden regularly hosts grand concerts by world music stars.

Madison Avenue Festival

Twice a year, a Sunday fair is held on the street. Every Sunday in February and August, traffic on Madison Avenue is closed from 42nd to 55th Street. In this segment, everyone can present their goods — food, clothing, footwear, books, handmade jewelry.

In essence, there is no theme laid down in the fair, just a cheerful Sunday gathering in the city center. There are plenty of entertainment platforms, street musicians play, and cafes work on a special menu. If you want to see the real soul of the city — head straight for such Sunday fairs.