 The fifth edition of the "AIA Guide to New York City" speculates that the design of the building may have been inspired by the Woolworth Building.The Emmet Building, as well as the Beaux Arts architecture James NoMad hotel (formerly the Seville Hotel) at 22 East 29th Street across the street from it, were designated as landmarks by the New York City Landmarks Preservation Commission on March 6, 2018.Landmarks Presveration Commission chairperson Meenakshi Srinivasan said, "These elegant buildings are not only distinctive and exemplary on their own, but together they represent an era of change and development in the area north of Madison Square during the early 20th century."