By Paul Martinez·12-year Flatiron resident·Last updated April 26, 2026
108 Fifth Avenue · Flatiron · Condo · Built 1895 · 47 units · 12 stories · George B. Post
CondoBuilt 1895Pets allowed
76
MF Score
A well-maintained 1895 condo conversion steps from Union Square with pristine public records and no-frills charm.
47 units · Condo · built 1895
Pets allowedCity viewsPark views
Scorecard
Prestige
72
Location
95
Investment
68
Value / sqft
75
Building quality
70
Livability
80
History
85
Transparency
65
The Honest Verdict
Zero HPD violations and zero DOB violations in a 131-year-old building tells you everything about how this place is run. While other Flatiron buildings struggle with maintenance issues, 108 Fifth Avenue has kept its public records spotless — a rarity that reflects serious management.
The location is legitimately exceptional — you're two blocks from Union Square's transit hub, seven minutes on foot to the Flatiron Building, with Whole Foods and the Greenmarket practically next door. At roughly $1,650 per square foot, it's reasonably priced for the neighborhood.
The trade-off is straightforward: there's no doorman, no gym, no roof deck. You're buying location and solid bones, not luxury services. For many buyers, especially those who value proximity to eight subway lines over building amenities, that's exactly the right equation.
Pros and cons
Pros
+ Union Square subway hub two blocks away — 8 train lines
+ Zero HPD and DOB violations — pristine maintenance record
+ Condo purchase — no board approval interview or rejection risk
+ Well-priced at $1,650/sqft for prime Flatiron location
+ George B. Post architecture — same architect as original NYSE
Cons
− No doorman or concierge — packages require coordination
− No building amenities — no gym, roof deck, or common spaces
− Limited resale inventory — only 47 units total
− Fifth Avenue units get moderate street traffic noise
Approx. low end — varies by unit. Use the calculator below to add your mortgage.
~$1,650/mo
Common charges and tax figures shown are sourced from current active listings and vary by unit size and floor. Verify all figures with building management, the offering plan, and your attorney before closing. MeetFlatiron makes no representations as to the accuracy of financial figures shown.
Payment calculator
Purchase price$1,200,000
Down payment20%
Interest rate6.75%
Principal and interest—
Common charges (enter your unit's figure)$/mo
Property taxes (enter your unit's figure)$/mo
Total monthly—
For illustrative purposes only. Common charges and taxes vary by unit — verify exact figures with building management. Actual mortgage rates vary by lender. Consult your lender for accurate rates and terms.
Red flag —
No significant red flags identified in public records as of April 19, 2026 — zero HPD violations, zero DOB violations, no active litigation per NYC open data. This level of clean records for a 131-year-old building is exceptional and suggests excellent management.
What agents won't tell you
Board dynamics
As a condominium, there's no discretionary board approval process — buyers submit standard financial documentation but don't face rejection risk. The condo board maintains only a right of first refusal, which is rarely exercised. Based on the pristine public records, building management appears competent and proactive about maintenance issues.
What it's actually like to live here
The lack of a doorman means package coordination, but the live-in super is responsive and residents generally help each other out — it's that kind of building. Fifth Avenue units get moderate traffic noise, though nothing like Midtown Fifth Avenue. The real charm is walking out your door into one of the most walkable neighborhoods in the city, with Union Square's energy two blocks away but residential quiet on the cross streets.
Services and amenities
Elevator
Storage space
Laundry in building
Live-in super
Hardwood floors
Washer/dryer in unit
Dishwasher
Pets allowed
No Gym
No Pool
No Roof deck
No Parking
Pet policy: Cats and dogs allowed with board approval
Amenity information sourced from building listings and public records. Amenities are subject to change — verify current offerings with building management before closing.
Transit
14th St-Union Sq
456NQRWL
0.1 miles
Astor Pl
6
0.3 miles
23rd St
NRW
0.5 miles
23rd St
6
0.6 miles
Walk Score 98Transit Score 100Bike Score 85Source: Walk Score
Commute times from this building
Destination
🚶 Walk
🚇 Subway
Lines
The Flatiron Building (175 Fifth Ave)
7 min
N/A
Walk only
Midtown (47th & Park Ave)
39 min
13 min
4 Line
Hudson Yards (30th & 10th Ave)
33 min
26 min
4 Line/7
World Trade Center (Fulton St)
48 min
19 min
Q Line/J Train
Times Square (42nd & Broadway)
32 min
12 min
R Line
Grand Central (42nd & Park Ave)
33 min
12 min
4 Line
Door-to-door estimates via Google Maps transit directions. Times reflect typical weekday conditions.Source: Google Maps
Nearby schools
7
PS 40 Augustus Saint-Gaudens
Public · Grades K–5
0.4mi
8
The Ideal School of Manhattan
Private · Grades K–8
0.3mi
9
Village Community School
Private · Grades K–8
0.5mi
Nearby colleges: NYU (0.3mi), Parsons/The New School (0.4mi), Baruch College (0.7mi)
School ratings sourced from GreatSchools and are subject to change. School zone boundaries are not guaranteed — verify current zoning directly with NYC DOE at myschools.nyc before purchasing.
Noise Level
Loud
Overall noise level
75/100 noise score
Primary source: Fifth Avenue traffic and Union Square activity, but residential side streets are quieter
This stretch of Fifth Avenue between Union Square and the Flatiron Building is among the safest in Manhattan — 13th Precinct coverage, constant foot traffic, well-lit streets. The building entrance faces Fifth Avenue directly, which locals prefer over side-street entrances.
🚗
Parking
Monthly parking at Edison ParkFast on 14th Street runs about $400/month and is a two-minute walk. Street parking on the residential cross streets is competitive but doable — alternate side Tuesday/Friday on most blocks.
📦
Storage
The building has basement storage units, but availability is limited in a 47-unit building. Manhattan Mini Storage on 10th Street is the closest off-site option if the building waitlist is long.
🛒
Grocery and daily errands
Whole Foods Union Square is practically next door — two blocks south and genuinely convenient for daily shopping. The Union Square Greenmarket on Mondays, Wednesdays, Fridays, and Saturdays is one of the city's best farmers markets.
🔊
Noise and street life
Fifth Avenue units get some traffic noise, but it's surprisingly manageable — this isn't the Midtown stretch of Fifth Avenue. East-facing units toward the residential blocks are noticeably quieter, especially above the third floor.
🚇
Getting around
Union Square is your subway jackpot — 4/5/6/N/Q/R/W/L all within a two-minute walk. For work in Midtown East, the 4/5/6 express is unbeatable. The building's location makes it one of the most transit-connected addresses in the Flatiron area.
Price appreciation has been steady rather than explosive — average sale prices have climbed from roughly $1.875M in 2021 to $2.35M in 2025, a 25% increase that outpaced inflation but wasn't speculative. The 89 average days on market reflects selective but interested buyers who recognize value when they see it. At $1,650 per square foot, it trades at a discount to newer luxury condos while offering better transit access than most.
Past appreciation is not a guarantee of future performance. Real estate values fluctuate. All investment decisions should be made with independent financial and legal advice.
Sale price history
2025
$2.35M avg
4 sales
2024
$2.13M avg
6 sales
2023
$1.95M avg
3 sales
2022
$2.10M avg
5 sales
2021
$1.88M avg
2 sales
Source: NYC ACRIS · Past sales are not indicative of future value.
Building history timeline
1895
Original Construction
Built as a commercial office building by architect George B. Post, who also designed the original New York Stock Exchange. The building exemplified the commercial architecture boom in the Flatiron District during the 1890s.
1920s-1960s
Commercial Use Era
The building served various commercial tenants throughout the early-to-mid 20th century, benefiting from its prime Fifth Avenue location near Union Square's retail and transportation hub.
1980s
Residential Conversion Planning
As the neighborhood began transitioning from purely commercial to mixed-use, developers recognized the potential for residential conversion given the building's solid construction and prime location.
1990s
Condominium Conversion
The building was converted from commercial use to 47 residential condominium units. The conversion maintained much of the original architectural character while updating systems for residential use.
2000s-2010s
Flatiron Renaissance
As the Flatiron District became increasingly desirable, 108 Fifth Avenue benefited from the neighborhood's transformation into one of Manhattan's most sought-after residential areas.
2020-2026
Current Status
The building has maintained excellent public records with zero HPD or DOB violations, suggesting strong management and resident satisfaction. Recent sales have averaged $2.35M in 2025.
108 Fifth Avenue is a condominium, which means there's no discretionary board approval process. Buyers submit standard financial documentation but don't face the risk of board rejection that co-ops require.
What subway lines are near 108 Fifth Avenue?
The building is exceptionally well-served by transit, just two blocks from Union Square station which offers the 4, 5, 6, N, Q, R, W, and L trains. This makes it one of the most connected locations in Manhattan for subway access.
Does 108 Fifth Avenue have a doorman?
No, 108 Fifth Avenue does not have a doorman or concierge. The building has a live-in superintendent and secure entry, but package deliveries require coordination with residents or the super.
What are the building violation records for 108 Fifth Avenue?
As of April 2026, 108 Fifth Avenue has zero open HPD violations and zero DOB violations. This is exceptional for a 131-year-old building and indicates excellent maintenance and management.
How much do apartments cost at 108 Fifth Avenue?
Recent sales have ranged from approximately $1.2M to $4.8M, with an average price per square foot around $1,650. This represents good value for the prime Flatiron location, especially given the Union Square proximity.
About the author
Paul Martinez has lived in the Flatiron District for 12 years.
He founded MeetFlatiron in 2024 to publish independent, public-records-backed
reviews of every notable building, landmark, and business in the neighborhood.
MeetFlatiron operates without paid partnerships, undisclosed sponsorships, or
commission-based reviews. Any future commercial relationships will be disclosed
clearly on each affected page.
