The Research Foundation's 40th Street side of the building is part of the Garment Center Historic District and has recently been listed on the National Register of Historic Places. The Garment Center Historic District contains 251 buildings of which 215 are listed as contributing properties.
The Research Foundation building is actually 2 buildings built at different times and joined together. The original building, the 7-story 40th Street building, was built in 1923 for the New York Tribune (later the New York Herald Tribune). The 20-story 41st Street building was added in 1929 and is in the theater district.
This new designation allows the Research Foundation to obtain and display a commemorative plaque publicizing the listing.