Why So Many New York Buildings Don’t Have a 13th Floor

The number 13 has long carried an air of mystery and misfortune. Across cultures, it has been associated with superstition, bad luck, and uneasy symbolism. But in New York City, this age-old fear isn’t just a quirky belief — it has literally reshaped the skyline and influenced how buildings are designed.

If you’ve ever stepped into an elevator and watched the numbers jump from 12 to 14, you’re not imagining things. The missing 13th floor is one of NYC real estate’s most strange yet enduring traditions — and once you start noticing it, you’ll see it almost everywhere.

The Phenomenon of the “Missing” Floor

A 2020 StreetEasy analysis found that out of 629 residential buildings surveyed in New York City, more than 90% omit the 13th floor entirely. Many buildings disguise it by labeling it 12A, while others skip the number completely.

Even Otis Elevator — one of the biggest elevator manufacturers in the world — confirms that about 85% of its New York installations leave out the number 13. In some cases, the vanished floor isn’t gone at all; it’s simply repurposed as storage, mechanical rooms, or internal service areas that tenants never see.

Developers aren’t avoiding the number out of fear — they’re doing it because it helps business. A 2007 Gallup poll found that (ironically enough) 13% of Americans feel uneasy staying on a 13th floor. For hotel owners and landlords, that discomfort could mean empty rooms and lower demand.

TV host Andy Cohen once told the New York Post that his West Village building jumped directly from 12 to 14:

“I lived on 12 and 14, and it was weird enough for me to get my head around it. But imagine trying to explain it to my kids when they learn to count! That being said, it’s undeniable that 14 sounds better than 13.”

Why Do Buildings Skip the Number 13?

Architectural historian and attorney Andrew Alpern summed it up simply:

“There are a lot of people who, for whatever reason, believe 13 is unlucky. From the builder’s point of view, he just wants to rent or sell space — and if skipping 13 helps, out it goes.”

In other words: superstition shapes consumer behavior, and consumer behavior shapes the market. Once a few early builders realized tenants hesitated to live or work on the 13th floor, others quickly followed. Before long, it wasn’t just superstition — it became a New York City construction custom.

Today, skipping 13 is as common as a lobby doorman, brass elevator buttons, or the signature green awnings outside older Manhattan buildings.

Where Did the Fear of 13 Come From?

The fear of the number 13 — known as triskaidekaphobia — has murky origins. Historians point to several possible roots:

• Biblical lore: Judas, who betrayed Jesus, is said to have been the 13th guest at the Last Supper.

• Numerical symbolism: Many systems revolve around 12 — months, zodiac signs, and hours on a clock — making 13 feel like an “extra,” irregular, or unstable number.

• Norse mythology: A popular legend tells of Loki arriving as the 13th guest at a banquet in Valhalla, bringing chaos and death.

Though experts disagree on the exact origin, one thing is clear: the superstition is widespread and deeply ingrained.

As real estate site Undivided puts it:

“The fear of the number 13 is very real. That’s why many buildings omit it — and why some homebuyers even avoid addresses or unit numbers with 13.”

The belief is so common that other countries have their own number-based superstitions, such as 4 in parts of East Asia. In that sense, NYC’s missing 13th floor is part of a global pattern of numerology influencing architecture.

The Notable Exceptions

Despite the superstition, some of New York’s most famous landmarks embrace — not avoid — their 13th floors. Iconic structures like the Flatiron Building, the Empire State Building, and many modern skyscrapers include all floor numbers without skipping.

To these developers, prestige and practicality outweigh superstition. And in newer luxury high-rises, younger buyers and international residents are often less influenced by old folklore.

A Tradition That Lives On

So the next time you’re riding an elevator and realize the number 13 is nowhere in sight, remember: it’s not just a missing button. It’s a reflection of centuries-old beliefs, cultural psychology, and a dash of real-estate marketing strategy — all wrapped up in a very New York tradition.

Whether or not you believe in bad luck, the invisible 13th floor is a fascinating reminder of how powerful human superstition can be, and how it continues to shape the city in unexpected ways.