Walk out of the subway at 42nd Street and look up. You’ll see it. 5 Times Square 10036 isn't just a zip code or a building; it’s a massive, 1.1 million-square-foot pillar of glass and steel that basically defines the modern skyline of the world's most famous intersection. Honestly, if you’ve ever watched the ball drop on New Year's Eve, you've seen this building. It sits right there on the corner of 7th Avenue and 42nd Street, acting like a silent sentry over the chaos below. It’s huge. It’s flashy. And it’s undergone a massive identity shift over the last few years that tells you everything you need to know about how NYC business is changing.
For a long time, people just knew it as the Ernst & Young building. That’s because the accounting giant anchored the place for nearly two decades. But EY moved out. They headed to Hudson Yards, which left a giant hole in the heart of the "Center of the Universe." People thought, "Man, is Times Square over?" Not even close. What happened next was a $150 million renovation project led by the real estate heavyweights at RXR Realty. They didn't just slap on a new coat of paint. They completely reimagined what a skyscraper in the middle of a tourist trap needs to look like to keep high-end tenants happy.
The 5 Times Square 10036 Transformation: More Than Just a Lobby
If you visited this spot in 2015, it felt like a corporate fortress. Very formal. Very grey. Now? It’s basically a luxury hotel that happens to have offices in it. The new lobby is light-years ahead of the old one. We’re talking about a massive 30-foot glass curtain wall that makes the transition from the frantic energy of 7th Avenue to the calm of the interior feel almost seamless.
Designers like Kohn Pedersen Fox (KPF)—the original architects—were brought back to help with the refresh. They knew the bones of the building better than anyone. One of the coolest parts of the "new" 5 Times Square 10036 is the amenity floor. It’s got a fitness center that rivals Equinox, golf simulators because... well, executives love golf, and a massive outdoor terrace. That terrace is the real kicker. Imagine having a coffee while looking down at the red stairs of the TKTS booth. It’s a weirdly peaceful perspective on a place that usually feels like a riot.
Who is actually inside 5 Times Square?
RXR hasn't just been sitting on empty floors. They’ve been landing massive fish. Roku is a big one. They took over a huge chunk of space—hundreds of thousands of square feet—bringing that West Coast tech vibe to the Crossroads of the World. Then you’ve got DigitalOcean, another tech player that decided the energy of 10036 was better than a quiet campus in the suburbs.
It’s a mix. You have the classic financial services and law firms, but the tech infusion has changed the "flavor" of the building. It’s less "suits and ties" and more "hoodies and high-stakes coding."
Why the 10036 Zip Code is a Love-Hate Relationship
Let's be real. Working at 5 Times Square 10036 means dealing with the tourists. Every single day. You’re navigating past Elmo impersonators and people trying to hand you comedy club fliers just to get your morning bagel. It sounds like a nightmare, right?
Actually, for many companies, that’s the point. Visibility.
If your office is at 5 Times Square, your brand is effectively on a billboard 24/7. The building itself features massive signage opportunities. When a company signs a lease here, they aren't just buying floor space; they’re buying a piece of the global cultural consciousness.
- Commuting: It’s unbeatable. You have the N, Q, R, W, S, 1, 2, 3, 7, and A, C, E trains all within a three-minute walk.
- The Vibe: High intensity. This isn't the place for a "slow-paced" startup.
- Food: You’re stuck between overpriced tourist traps and some of the best hidden gems in Hell's Kitchen just a few blocks west.
The Engineering Behind the Glass
When it was finished around 2002, 5 Times Square was a bit of a pioneer. It was part of the 42nd Street Development Project that turned the area from a gritty, dangerous zone into the "Disney-fied" version we see today. The building stands about 575 feet tall.
One thing people get wrong is thinking it’s just a box. Look closely at the silhouette. It has this subtle, tapering geometry. It was designed to maximize light, which is a tall order when you’re surrounded by other giants like the New York Times Building and the Bank of America Tower.
The elevators are another marvel. In a building this size, wait times could kill productivity. They use a destination dispatch system—you pick your floor on a keypad before you get in—which sort of feels like magic the first time you do it. It calculates the most efficient route so you aren't stopping at 40 different floors on your way to a meeting.
Real Estate Value in a Post-Pandemic World
There was a lot of talk about 5 Times Square 10036 being in trouble when the remote work trend hit. Honestly, the whole office market took a gut punch. But buildings like this are "Class A" for a reason. There’s a "flight to quality" happening. Companies are ditching old, dingy buildings and moving into places that offer a reason for employees to actually leave their houses.
If you have a spa-like gym, a private bar for "happy hour" on the 32nd floor, and a view of the Chrysler Building, it's a lot easier to convince your lead developer to stop Zooming from their couch. RXR’s David Rechtman has been vocal about this—basically saying that the office has to be a "destination," not just a desk.
What Most People Get Wrong About 5 Times Square
A common misconception is that 5 Times Square is just an "old" building compared to the new glass towers in Hudson Yards. That’s factually a bit off. While it’s twenty years old, the recent $150 million investment effectively "reset" its clock.
Another myth? That it’s impossible to get to. People think Times Square is a "no-go" zone for locals. But if you work at 5 Times Square, you’re using the underground tunnels. You barely see the street level if you don't want to. You can pop out of the subway, go through the turnstile, and be at your desk without ever seeing a "Naked Cowboy."
Practical Insights for the 5 Times Square Visitor or Potential Tenant
If you’re heading there for a meeting or looking at the area for a potential office move, keep these things in mind:
Security is Tight. Don't expect to just wander in. This is one of the most high-profile buildings in Manhattan. You'll need a QR code or a pre-registered ID. The security teams here are world-class, which is a comforting thought given the location.
The "Quiet" Spots.
Need a break? Head over to Bryant Park, which is just a few blocks east. It’s the perfect "backyard" for 5 Times Square employees. If you need a quick lunch that isn't a chain, walk towards 8th Avenue for better prices and more "real" NYC food.
Sustainability Matters.
The building has been working hard on its LEED certifications. In the 2020s, you can’t run a building this size without focusing on carbon footprints. They’ve upgraded the HVAC systems and lighting to be significantly more efficient than they were in the early 2000s.
Navigating the Future of 10036
The future of 5 Times Square 10036 looks surprisingly tech-heavy. It’s becoming a hub for digital media and streaming, largely thanks to the Roku anchor. This shift from "Accounting and Law" to "Streaming and Digital Infrastructure" mirrors the shift of New York City itself. We are seeing a "Silicon Alley" expansion that has finally swallowed Times Square whole.
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If you are a business owner looking at space here, you have to weigh the high rent against the sheer prestige. You aren't just paying for square footage; you’re paying for the 10036 stamp on your business card.
Next Steps for Engaging with 5 Times Square:
- For Job Seekers: Keep an eye on the career pages of Roku and DigitalOcean. They are the primary "space eaters" in the building right now and are almost always hiring for their NYC headquarters.
- For Tourists: You can't go up to the observation decks (there aren't any public ones in this specific building), but the ground floor retail is constantly shifting. It’s worth a walkthrough just to see the scale of the new lobby.
- For Real Estate Nerds: Compare the "stacking plan" of 5 Times Square with the new One Vanderbilt. It’s a masterclass in how 20-year-old buildings are evolving to compete with brand-new "super-talls."
- For Local Commuters: Use the 43rd Street entrances to avoid the main 42nd Street crush. It’s a veteran move that saves about five minutes of frustration every morning.
The story of 5 Times Square isn't finished. It’s a living, breathing part of the city that adapts every time the economy shifts. Whether it’s through new tech tenants or massive architectural face-lifts, this building remains the anchor of the 10036 zip code. It's a testament to the idea that in New York, you don't just get old—you get a renovation.