That major cross-street has subsequently enjoyed a major renaissance around Union Square and the entire Flatiron District to the north has become one of the trendiest and most popular in the city, robustly filled with interesting restaurants and stores. The stretch of Fifth Avenue from 14th Street to 23rd Street is one of the most interesting architecturally in the city and while this apartment house adds little to its ambiance and bears little relation to the famed neoclassical designs of its namesake china manufacturer, it was an important anchor for the renaissance to come.

Indeed, its white bricks are echoed in the New School annex building directly across 14th Street that was formerly a Lerner’s store and the two new buildings were a valid alternative to the area’s deterioration. Because the school building is low-rise, many apartments in this building have unexpected views of Lower Fifth Avenue, one of the city’s most attractive areas.

The 153-units were converted to cooperative apartments in 1990 and the building’s entrance on Fifth Avenue is attractive.

The 153-units were converted to cooperative apartments in 1990 and the building’s entrance on Fifth Avenue is attractive.