Herald Square

Herald Square
Jazz Guy from New Jersey, United States · CC BY 2.0 · source
Name	Herald Square
Caption	View looking north, with the Macy's Herald Square flagship store and the New York City Department of Transportation's pedestrian plaza visible.
Location	Manhattan, New York City
Coordinates	40, 45, 00, N...
Major features	Macy's Herald Square, Herald Square Building, James Gordon Bennett Monument
Owner	City of New York

Herald Square is a major commercial intersection and public space located in the Midtown Manhattan neighborhood of New York City. Formed by the confluence of Broadway, Sixth Avenue, and 34th Street, it is one of the city's busiest pedestrian and retail hubs. The square is internationally renowned as the site of the Macy's Herald Square flagship store and is a central point in the Manhattan street grid. It is named for the former headquarters of the New York Herald newspaper, a legacy commemorated by the historic James Gordon Bennett Monument.

History

The area's development was catalyzed in the late 19th century with the relocation of the New York Herald, founded by James Gordon Bennett Jr., to a building designed by Stanford White of the firm McKim, Mead & White. The newspaper's presence gave the intersection its name, and the ornate Herald Square Building with its iconic clock became a local landmark. A significant transformation occurred with the construction of the New York City Subway's IRT Broadway–Seventh Avenue Line and BMT Broadway Line stations beneath the square in the early 20th century, cementing its role as a transportation nexus. The square was also the longtime home of Gimbels department store, a famous rival to Macy's, until its closure in the 1980s. The Times Square-style electrified advertising signs, though less dense than its neighbor to the north, have been a feature since the early 1900s, contributing to the area's vibrant commercial character.

Geography and notable features

The square is technically composed of two separate plazas: a northern triangle and a southern triangle, separated by the flow of Broadway. The northern section is dominated by the Macy's Herald Square building, which spans an entire city block and is famously the setting for the annual Macy's Thanksgiving Day Parade finale. At its center stands the James Gordon Bennett Monument, featuring the goddess Minerva and her heralding owls, created by sculptor Antonin Carles. The southern plaza, often referred to as Greeley Square in honor of Horace Greeley, is a popular pedestrian oasis managed by the 34th Street Partnership. Key architectural landmarks include the Herald Square Building and the Empire State Building located just a few blocks away. The area is characterized by its dense concentration of retail stores, large electronic news tickers, and heavy foot traffic.

Transportation

It is served by the complex New York City Subway station shared by the IND Sixth Avenue Line, the BMT Broadway Line, and the IRT Broadway–Seventh Avenue Line, specifically the station, which is one of the busiest in the system. Major bus routes along Sixth Avenue and 34th Street are operated by the Metropolitan Transportation Authority. The square is a critical node in the city's Manhattan street grid, facilitating east-west crosstown traffic and north-south avenues. The Port Authority Bus Terminal is located a short distance to the west, providing additional regional bus connections. Pedestrianization efforts by the New York City Department of Transportation have expanded public space and reduced vehicular traffic in parts of the intersection.

In popular culture

It has been featured in numerous films and television shows, most famously as the workplace of the protagonist in the film Miracle on 34th Street, which centers on the Macy's Herald Square store. The square and the Macy's Thanksgiving Day Parade are annually broadcast to a national audience on NBC. It is referenced in the classic holiday song "Santa Claus Is Comin' to Town" with the lyric "I'm gonna stop at Macy's". The bustling intersection often appears as a establishing shot representing New York City in media ranging from Law & Order to Spider-Man films. The rivalry between Macy's and Gimbels was a frequent plot point in mid-20th century American popular culture.

Surrounding area and economy

The immediate vicinity is a premier shopping district, anchored by the Macy's Herald Square flagship and including numerous national retailers like H&M, Foot Locker, and The Gap. The area is part of the larger Midtown Manhattan business corridor, with significant office buildings housing companies in sectors like technology, finance, and fashion. The Penn Station transportation hub and the Madison Square Garden arena are located just blocks to the west, driving continuous pedestrian flow. The Garment District lies to the north, and the Koreatown neighborhood is situated along 32nd Street to the south. This concentration of retail, transit, and office space makes it one of the most valuable commercial real estate markets in New York City.