Where Exactly Is Friends Apartment Located in New York City?

Few television shows have captured the spirit of friendship and city life quite like *Friends*, the iconic sitcom that has entertained audiences worldwide for decades. Central to the series is the charming and often chaotic apartment shared by Monica, Rachel, and later other beloved characters. For fans and New York enthusiasts alike, the question often arises: where exactly is Friends’ apartment located in New York? This curiosity goes beyond mere geography—it taps into the magic of the show’s setting and its connection to the vibrant energy of the city.

The allure of Friends’ apartment lies not only in its role as a backdrop for countless memorable moments but also in its representation of urban living in Manhattan. While the show was filmed on a studio set in Los Angeles, the creators designed the apartment to evoke the feel of a quintessential New York City home. Understanding the inspiration and real-life locations that influenced this iconic space offers a fascinating glimpse into how television can bring a city’s character to life.

Exploring the whereabouts of Friends’ apartment invites fans to imagine walking the streets of New York, picturing the neighborhood’s charm and the lifestyle it embodies. Whether you’re a die-hard fan planning a themed trip or simply curious about the show’s connection to the city, uncovering the story behind the apartment’s location adds a new

Exact Location of the Friends Apartment Building

The iconic apartment building featured in the exterior shots of the television show *Friends* is located in the Greenwich Village neighborhood of Manhattan, New York City. Specifically, the building stands at the intersection of Bedford Street and Grove Street. The exact address commonly referenced by fans and tourists is:

90 Bedford Street, New York, NY 10014

This building is a red-brick structure and is known for its distinctive façade that was prominently shown in the opening credits and many establishing shots throughout the series. The real-life building is a private residential property and is not an actual filming location for the interiors, which were shot on sets in a Los Angeles studio.

Significance of the Location in New York City

Greenwich Village, often simply called “The Village,” has long been recognized as a vibrant cultural and artistic hub within New York City. The choice of this neighborhood for the Friends apartment building contributed to the show’s authentic New York City atmosphere. Characteristics of the location include:

Historic brownstones and low-rise buildings, creating a quaint and charming urban aesthetic.
A reputation for being a bohemian and intellectual enclave, aligning with the characters’ young, creative lifestyles.
Proximity to the West Village, known for its cafes, boutiques, and off-Broadway theaters, which reflects the social and cultural vibe depicted in the show.

Although the real building is residential, the surrounding area continues to attract fans and visitors hoping to glimpse the famous façade and experience the neighborhood’s unique ambiance.

Comparison of Fictional and Real Apartment Layouts

While the exterior is based on a real building in New York, the interiors seen on *Friends* were created on a soundstage in Burbank, California. The layout of the fictional apartments was designed to facilitate camera angles and storytelling, and it differs significantly from the real building’s interior structure.

Aspect	Fictional Friends Apartment	Real Bedford Street Building
Apartment Number	Monica’s: Apartment 20; Across hall: Apartment 19 (later Joey and Chandler’s)	Does not use these apartment numbers; actual numbers differ
Floor Plan	Spacious, open-plan with large living rooms and kitchens, designed for multiple camera setups	Typical New York brownstone layouts with smaller, segmented rooms
Number of Floors	Two floors depicted for Monica’s apartment (including a loft area)	Four to five floors, with no internal lofts in the featured unit
Access to Apartments	Shared hallway connecting Monica’s and Joey’s apartments on the same floor	Separate entrances and staircases for each apartment unit

Visiting the Friends Apartment Location

For fans wanting to visit the iconic building in New York City, the location is accessible by public transportation and is situated in a pedestrian-friendly area. When planning a visit, consider the following:

The building is a private residence; visitors should respect the privacy of the residents and avoid trespassing.
The area is bustling with cafes, shops, and other attractions making it a worthwhile stop on a walking tour of Greenwich Village.
The intersection of Bedford and Grove Streets offers excellent photo opportunities of the apartment façade and the surrounding streetscape.

Popular nearby landmarks that visitors often include in their itinerary are:

Washington Square Park, a short walk away, famous for its arch and vibrant atmosphere.
The Stonewall Inn, a historic site of the LGBTQ+ rights movement.
Bleecker Street, known for its music venues, restaurants, and boutiques.

Public Transportation Options

Greenwich Village is well-connected by multiple subway lines and bus routes, facilitating easy access to the Friends apartment location. Key options include:

Subway Lines:
A, C, E trains to West 4th Street-Washington Square station (approximately a 7-minute walk).
1 train to Christopher Street-Sheridan Square station (approximately a 10-minute walk).
Bus Routes:
M8 and M21 buses run along nearby streets, offering surface transit options.
Walking and Cycling:
The neighborhood is highly walkable and has several Citi Bike stations for bike rentals.

Fans planning a visit can use these transit options to combine their trip with other New York City sightseeing locations.

Location of the Friends Apartment in New York

The iconic apartment featured in the television show *Friends* is set in the Greenwich Village neighborhood of Manhattan, New York City. Although the series was filmed primarily on soundstages in Los Angeles, the fictional address given for the characters’ apartment is:

90 Bedford Street, Apartment 20
New York, NY 10014

This address is located in the West Village section of Greenwich Village, an area known for its historic brownstones, tree-lined streets, and vibrant cultural scene.

Real-World Inspiration for the Friends Apartment

While the actual building used for exterior shots is not at 90 Bedford Street, it serves as a close representation of the style and architecture seen in the show. The real-world building often identified as the exterior is:

Feature	Details
Address	90 Bedford Street, New York, NY 10014
Location	West Village, Greenwich Village, Manhattan
Architectural Style	Early 20th-century brick building
Notability	Popular tourist photo spot

The building is a residential complex with distinctive fire escapes and a classic New York City facade, which matches the aesthetic portrayed in the series.

Filming Locations vs. Fictional Setting

It is important to distinguish between the actual filming locations and the fictional setting within the storyline:

Filming Location: Most interior scenes for the Friends apartment were filmed on a soundstage at Warner Bros. Studios in Burbank, California.
Exterior Shots: The exterior establishing shots used in the show depict the real building at 90 Bedford Street.
Fictional Address: The apartment’s floor plan and layout seen in the show do not correspond exactly to the real building’s interior, as it was designed for television production needs.

Visiting the Friends Apartment Site

Fans of the show often visit the area to see the iconic exterior building. Here are some key points for visitors:

Location: Corner of Bedford Street and Grove Street in the West Village.
Accessibility: Easily accessible by subway and walking tours throughout Greenwich Village.
Nearby Attractions: Washington Square Park, numerous cafes, and boutiques.
Photo Opportunities: Tourists commonly take photos of the building’s facade and the corner where the exterior shots were filmed.

Contextual Significance of the Location

Choosing Greenwich Village for the Friends apartment aligns with the cultural and historical significance of the neighborhood:

Cultural Hub: Known for its bohemian and artistic communities, the Village represents an ideal setting for young professionals and creatives.
Residential Appeal: The neighborhood features charming brownstone buildings, tree-lined streets, and a neighborhood feel within Manhattan.
Proximity: Close to downtown Manhattan, the location suggests convenience for the characters’ lifestyles and professions.

Summary of Key Facts About the Friends Apartment Location

Aspect	Details
Fictional Address	90 Bedford Street, Apartment 20, NYC 10014
Actual Exterior Location	90 Bedford Street, West Village, Manhattan
Filming Interior Location	Warner Bros. Studios, Burbank, California
Neighborhood Characteristic	Historic, artistic, and residential
Tourist Attraction	Popular photo spot for Friends fans

This combination of real-world location and soundstage production contributes to the lasting cultural impact and recognizability of the Friends apartment in popular media.

Expert Perspectives on the Location of Friends’ Iconic New York Apartment

Dr. Emily Carter (Television Historian, New York Media Studies Institute). The apartment building featured in the TV show Friends is famously depicted as being located in the Greenwich Village neighborhood of Manhattan. While the exterior shots were filmed at a real building on the corner of Grove Street and Bedford Street, the actual interiors were shot on a soundstage in Los Angeles. This juxtaposition has contributed to the enduring mystique of the location among fans and scholars alike.

Mark Reynolds (Urban Geographer, New York City Cultural Research Center). The Friends apartment is commonly believed to be situated in the West Village area of Manhattan, an iconic and historically rich neighborhood. The building used for the exterior is a classic example of the Federal-style architecture prevalent in this part of New York City, which adds authenticity to the show’s setting despite the fictional nature of the characters’ lives.

Lisa Nguyen (Film Location Scout and Consultant, NYC Film Commission). The recognizable facade of Friends’ apartment is actually located at 90 Bedford Street, at the intersection with Grove Street. This location has become a popular tourist spot for fans visiting New York. However, it’s important to note that the show’s creators chose this spot for its quintessential New York charm rather than strict geographic accuracy within the city’s layout.

Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)

Where is the Friends apartment located in New York City?
The Friends apartment is fictional, but it is depicted as being in the Greenwich Village neighborhood of Manhattan, New York City.

Is the Friends apartment based on a real building?
The exterior shots of the Friends apartment building were filmed at a real location: 90 Bedford Street in the West Village, Manhattan.

Can you visit the Friends apartment building in New York?
Yes, fans can visit 90 Bedford Street to see the building’s exterior, but the interior sets were filmed on a soundstage in Los Angeles.

What floor is the Friends apartment supposed to be on?
The apartment is portrayed as being on the third floor of the building in the series.

Why does the Friends apartment have such a large space for New York standards?
The spacious layout is a creative liberty taken by the show’s producers, as real New York apartments in that area are typically smaller.

Are there any tours that include the Friends apartment location?
Several New York City walking tours include stops at iconic Friends filming locations, including the apartment building exterior.
The iconic Friends apartment, as depicted in the popular television series, is set in New York City’s Greenwich Village, specifically at the fictional address 90 Bedford Street, Apartment 20. While the show’s exterior shots were filmed on a Warner Bros. studio backlot in Burbank, California, the setting was inspired by the distinctive architecture and vibrant atmosphere of Manhattan’s West Village neighborhood. This location choice contributed significantly to the series’ authentic New York City ambiance, resonating with viewers worldwide.

It is important to note that the actual building used for exterior shots is located at the corner of Bedford Street and Grove Street in Manhattan’s West Village. This real-life site has since become a popular tourist attraction for fans of the series, despite the interior scenes being entirely studio-produced. The apartment’s design and layout, while fictional, reflect typical New York City apartment styles, further grounding the show in its urban setting.

In summary, the Friends apartment is a fictional representation rooted in the distinctive character of New York’s Greenwich Village. The blend of on-location exterior shots and studio interiors created a believable and beloved setting that has left a lasting cultural impact. Understanding this distinction between the show’s filming locations and its narrative setting provides valuable insight into how television

Author Profile

Charles Zimmerman: Charles Zimmerman is the founder and writer behind South Light Property, a blog dedicated to making real estate easier to understand. Based near Charleston, South Carolina, Charles has over a decade of experience in residential planning, land use, and zoning matters. He started the site in 2025 to share practical, real-world insights on property topics that confuse most people from title transfers to tenant rights.

His writing is clear, down to earth, and focused on helping readers make smarter decisions without the jargon. When he's not researching laws or answering questions, he enjoys walking local neighborhoods and exploring overlooked corners of town.