When completed in 1909 the beaux arts Metropolitan Life Tower on 1 Madison Ave was the world's tallest building with 50 floors at 700 feet until surpassed by the Woolworth Building in 1913. Its clock faces are 8.1 m in diameter. It was modeled after the tower of San Marco's in Venice.
This is one of several buildings in New York with variations on the MetLife name.
Across E 23rd St to its south is the 2011 One Madison Park residential highrise with 50 floors at 617 feet.

Looking south from the 86th floor observation deck of the Empire State Building