[7] Portions of the avenue were widened in 1955, which required eminent domain takings of the facades of some structures along Lexington.

From south to north (in increasing address order), they include:[10][11] In contrast to Lexington Avenue, the six-block stretch of Irving Place from 14th to 20th Street at Gramercy Park carries two-way traffic and is decidedly local in nature.

[5] An assortment of restaurants and bars line Irving Place, including Pete's Tavern, New York's oldest surviving saloon, where O. Henry supposedly conceived of his short story "The Gift of the Magi", and which survived Prohibition disguised as a flower shop.

Also at 17th, a small bed-and-breakfast, the Inn at Irving Place, occupies two Greek Revival architecture townhouses built in 1840–1841 and renovated between 1991 and 1995.

Offices located on Irving Place include those of The Nation magazine, the New York branch of AMORC and the Seafarers and International House mission.

[12] The bottom of the street is anchored by the rear of the Zeckendorf Towers condominium apartment complex on the west side, and the Consolidated Edison Building on the east.

[16] Lexington Avenue became part of a classic American cinematic moment in the 1955 movie The Seven Year Itch in which Marilyn Monroe shot what would become her most famous scene.

The street is referenced in the Elton John song "Island Girl", the first single from the album Rock of the Westies in 1976.