4. The Flatiron District was a major site for toy manufacturing
In the early-to-mid 1900s, the Flatiron District was a major center for toy manufacturing and production. centered at 200 Fifth Avenue, also called the Toy Center. Though recently converted into offices, the 16-story Toy Center opened as an office building in 1909. It stood on the site of the former Madison Cottage, which was replaced by Franconi’s Hippodrome, which was replaced by the Fifth Avenue Hotel. A landmark clock still stands outside the bulding telling passengers the time where the hotel stood. The Toy Center was originally called the Fifth Avenue Building and was designed by Robert Maynicke.
During World War I, the building became a center of New York City’s toy industry. This sudden rise was due to restrictions on European imports, meaning most toys could not enter the United States. In addition to toy companies, the building was also occupied from 1910 to 1927 by the Boy Scouts of America National Headquarters. Many major companies moved in during the World War II-era, and the complex expanded when 1107 Broadway was acquired in 1967 and connected to the original building. The building manager even restricted leases in the 1960s to just toy manufacturers. At its peak, 600 tenants accounted for about 95 percent of nationwide toy transactions, amounting to $4 billion. The toy industry eventually expanded out from the Flatiron District, though the building has recently hosted parts of the North American International Toy Fair along with the Javits Center.