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Trump Tower New York: History, Penthouse, and Presidential Visits
The complete story of Trump Tower on Fifth Avenue — from its 1983 construction to its role in the presidency. Track when Trump visits his iconic New York skyscraper.
Introduction
For decades before entering politics, Trump Tower at 725 Fifth Avenue was the building most associated with Donald Trump's public identity. This 58-story mixed-use skyscraper in the heart of Midtown Manhattan served as his primary residence, his corporate headquarters, and the setting for his reality television show "The Apprentice." While Trump changed his primary residence to Florida in 2019 and now spends the majority of his time at the White House and Mar-a-Lago, Trump Tower remains a significant property that occasionally appears in our presidential tracking data when the president makes visits to New York City.
Building History and Construction
Trump Tower was developed by Donald Trump and the Equitable Life Assurance Company and completed in 1983. The building replaced the former Bonwit Teller department store, and its construction was not without controversy — the demolition of the previous building's Art Deco limestone reliefs, which Trump had initially promised to the Metropolitan Museum of Art, drew significant public criticism. Architect Der Scutt designed the distinctive dark glass exterior with its signature saw-tooth facade, creating a building that immediately became one of the most recognizable structures on Fifth Avenue. The atrium lobby, with its pink marble walls, brass fixtures, and an 80-foot waterfall, became a tourist attraction in its own right. The building contains 263 residential condominiums on the upper floors, commercial office space in the middle floors, and high-end retail stores including a public atrium on the lower levels. At the time of its completion, Trump Tower was one of the tallest residential buildings in New York City and represented a defining achievement in Trump's real estate career.
The Famous Trump Penthouse
Trump's personal residence occupies the top three floors of Trump Tower, creating a sprawling triplex penthouse that has become one of the most photographed private residences in the world. The interior is decorated in an extravagant Louis XIV style featuring 24-karat gold leaf on walls, ceilings, and moldings, Italian marble floors, hand-painted ceiling murals depicting classical scenes, and crystal chandeliers throughout. The penthouse includes a living room, dining room, multiple bedrooms, and a private study, all with panoramic views of Central Park to the north and the Manhattan skyline in every direction. While the exact square footage has been the subject of some debate, the residence is indisputably one of the most opulent private apartments in New York City and perhaps the world. The penthouse served as the Trump family's primary home for over three decades before the move to Palm Beach.
Trump Tower as Campaign and Political Headquarters
Trump Tower took on a new role in June 2015 when Donald Trump descended the building's famous golden escalator to announce his candidacy for President of the United States. The building subsequently served as the headquarters of his 2016 presidential campaign, with campaign offices occupying the 14th floor. After winning the election, Trump Tower became the center of the presidential transition, with world leaders, cabinet candidates, and advisors streaming through the lobby under the gaze of assembled media. The building's lobby became a de facto press briefing area, with reporters staking out positions to identify and question the visitors arriving for meetings with the president-elect. This period transformed Trump Tower from a luxury real estate property into a political landmark that attracted global attention and permanent Secret Service security modifications.
Security Impact on Midtown Manhattan
The security requirements of protecting a presidential residence in the middle of one of the world's busiest commercial districts created unprecedented challenges and costs. The NYPD established a security perimeter around Trump Tower that restricted vehicular access on portions of Fifth Avenue and 56th Street. Concrete barriers, police checkpoints, and Secret Service screening stations became permanent fixtures in the neighborhood. Local businesses along Fifth Avenue reported declining foot traffic due to the security measures, and some tenants of neighboring buildings complained about disrupted access and diminished property values. The City of New York spent millions of dollars annually on the Trump Tower security detail, leading to political disputes about cost reimbursement between the city and federal government. While these measures have been scaled back since Trump moved his primary residence to Florida, a permanent Secret Service presence remains at the building.
Trump Tower Visits During the Presidency
Presidential visits to New York City invariably generate significant media coverage and major security operations. When our tracking system detects Trump's presence at Trump Tower, it typically corresponds with a larger New York visit that might include fundraising events, United Nations General Assembly sessions, or other high-profile engagements. These visits are less frequent than trips to Mar-a-Lago or Bedminster but tend to generate more intense media coverage due to the complexities of presidential security in Manhattan. Each visit requires extensive advance planning by the Secret Service, temporary road closures, and coordination with the NYPD, Port Authority, and other agencies. Our news feed captures these visits through multiple outlet reports, and the location history shows the complete record of confirmed Trump Tower appearances.
Track New York Visits in Real Time
While Trump Tower visits are relatively infrequent during the presidency, they do occur and our system is designed to detect them. Our live tracker on the homepage shows the most recently confirmed presidential location, and when multiple news sources report Trump's arrival in New York City, the tracker updates with the specific location. The travel statistics page includes New York in its state and city visit breakdowns, allowing you to see exactly how often the president returns to his former hometown. For the most complete picture of presidential movement patterns, including the seasonal rotation between Washington, Florida, New Jersey, and occasional New York stops, explore our interactive map's 30-Day Replay feature.
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LocateTrump Research Team
An independent team of developers, data analysts, and researchers tracking presidential location and activity using publicly available information from 10+ major news sources. Operating continuously since January 20, 2025. All content follows our editorial standards for source verification and accuracy.
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