The Myth of the Missing 13th Floor in NYC Buildings

False. Many buildings in New York City do have a 13th floor. The superstition-driven omission is common but not universal.

The Reality

• Common Practice: Many residential, hotel, and office buildings skip "13" → label it 12A, 14, M (mezzanine), PH (penthouse), or simply omit the number in the elevator panel.
• Many Exceptions: Countless NYC buildings (especially newer commercial towers, government buildings, and many older ones) label the 13th floor as "13". Examples: Empire State Building, One World Trade Center, most post-1980 high-rises.
• No Law: No building code prohibits numbering a floor 13. It's purely owner/developer/architect choice based on perceived tenant preference.

Why the Myth Persists

• Triskaidekaphobia (fear of 13) is culturally widespread.
• Developers avoid even potential buyer/tenant aversion.
• Pop culture reinforces the trope.

If you need a 13th floor address, it exists in many buildings. If you avoid it, plenty of buildings accommodate that too. It's a market-driven convention, not a rule.