A tiny holdout building in the middle of Macy’s is back in view
A century-old real estate grudge at Macy's Herald Square flagship store is back in the spotlight as billboards covering a 'holdout' building are removed. This tale of early 20th-century retail rivalry and an unyielding property owner captivates HN, highlighting the fascinating quirks of urban development and corporate spats. It's a testament to the enduring power of a small parcel of land against a retail giant.
The Lowdown
For over a century, a peculiar architectural anomaly at the Macy's Herald Square flagship in New York City has been hidden in plain sight. Now, the removal of colossal billboards has revealed a five-story 'holdout' building, a stubborn testament to a fierce retail rivalry and property dispute from the early 1900s.
- Macy's sought to expand its New York presence, planning a massive new store at Herald Square around 1901.
- They successfully acquired most of the necessary land, but a small, 30x50 foot corner parcel remained elusive, owned by Rev. Duane Pell, who demanded a high price.
- Before Macy's could secure it, Pell sold the plot to an agent for Henry Siegel, owner of the rival department store Siegel-Cooper.
- Siegel attempted to leverage the plot in a trade with Macy's, but Macy's refused, opting instead to build their new store around the inconveniently located property.
- Siegel then constructed the five-story building on the plot, which Macy's later leased for billboard advertising, effectively obscuring its rival's footprint for decades.
- The current reappearance of the building is due to its owner, Kaufman Realty, reportedly planning to lease the facade to a 'prominent online retailer'—widely speculated to be Amazon—a move Macy's has legally challenged.
This re-exposure of the holdout building offers a rare glimpse into the persistent legacy of cutthroat real estate and corporate strategies that shaped one of Manhattan's most iconic retail destinations.
The Gossip
Holdout Happenings: Global Glimpses
Commenters were fascinated by the concept of 'holdout' buildings, where small property owners resist larger developments, and shared numerous examples from around the world. The current situation with Macy's allegedly fighting Amazon for billboard space on the holdout building added a modern twist to the historical anecdote, underscoring the enduring nature of such disputes. Examples from London and Amsterdam were highlighted, demonstrating this architectural phenomenon isn't unique to NYC.
Structural Scrutiny: Condition and Cohabitants
Many in the discussion questioned the current state of the holdout building and whether anyone could actually live there, given its appearance after a century of being hidden. While some noted its rough exterior, others confirmed that the ground floor houses a shop, but the upper floors are largely empty. The consensus leaned towards it being mostly unoccupied, with the value of its advertising potential far outweighing any residential rental income, especially considering NYC's window requirements for living spaces.
Headline Hues: Titular Troubles
A minor, but notable, thread of discussion revolved around the article's headline and the use of the word 'middle.' Some users found the phrasing slightly misleading, arguing that 'middle' didn't accurately describe the corner location, while others pointed out that the full context within the article quickly clarified the situation.