General
The iconic apartment building from the hit sitcom Friends is located at 90 Bedford Street in the West Village neighborhood of Manhattan. While the exterior establishes the setting, the interior apartment scenes were filmed on a soundstage in Los Angeles.
Exterior Shots
Establishing Shots: The show frequently featured exterior shots of the charming brick apartment building with its distinctive arched windows and decorative fire escape.
Neighborhood: The building is situated on a tree-lined street in the West Village, capturing the quintessential New York City neighborhood vibe.
Real Address: 90 Bedford Street is the actual address used for the exterior shots, though the interior layout does not match the real apartments.
The Apartment
Layout: Monica's apartment (where most of the scenes took place) was a re-created set designed to allow filming from multiple angles.
Design: The set featured an open-concept living room, kitchen, and purple walls, creating a cozy and quirky aesthetic.
Iconic Elements: The orange couch, window frame, and that purple door leading to Monica's bedroom became iconic parts of the Friends universe.
Visiting the Location
Exterior Only: While fans can visit the real 90 Bedford Street exterior, the interior is not accessible as it's a private residential building.
Photo Opportunities: Taking photos in front of the building's exterior is a popular activity for Friends fans visiting New York City.
Tours: Some guided TV and movie tours include a stop at the Friends building as part of their routes through the city.