To obtain the specific formation details for 36 West 36th St LLC, you must utilize the official New York Department of State (NY DOS) Division of Corporations database. This entity, which is registered in New York State, holds public records that include its filing date, DOS ID, current legal status, and its designated address for service of process. For those seeking information regarding the actual property ownership or deeds associated with this name, the New York City ACRIS (Automated City Register Information System) is the required secondary resource.

The search for corporate records in New York often begins with a specific address-linked entity. In the case of 36 West 36th St LLC, the name itself strongly suggests a real estate holding company structured as a Single Purpose Entity (SPE). This is a common practice in Manhattan real estate to insulate assets and manage liability. Understanding the formation details of such an entity requires navigating the intersection of corporate law and municipal property records.

Navigating the New York Department of State Entity Search

The primary repository for all business entities formed or authorized to do business in the Empire State is the NYS Department of State Corporation and Business Entity Database. This is a public tool that allows anyone to verify the standing and history of an LLC.

Step-by-Step Search Process for 36 West 36th St LLC

To find the specific records, follow these administrative steps:

  1. Access the Portal: Navigate to the official NYS DOS Division of Corporations search page.
  2. Select Search Type: Choose the "Entity Name" option from the search criteria menu.
  3. Enter Search Term: Type "36 West 36th St" into the search box. It is often more effective to use a partial name if the exact punctuation (such as the presence of a comma or "LLC") is unknown.
  4. Review the List: The system will return all entities with similar names. Look for the exact match "36 West 36th St LLC."
  5. View Entity Information: Clicking on the name will reveal the complete public profile of the company.

Interpreting the Public Data Fields

Once you have opened the record for 36 West 36th St LLC, several key pieces of data will be presented. It is important to understand what each field signifies:

  • DOS ID: This is a unique, permanent identification number assigned to the LLC by the state at the time of formation. It never changes, even if the entity changes its name.
  • Initial Filing Date: The date on which the Articles of Organization were officially accepted by the Secretary of State. This marks the legal "birth" of the LLC.
  • Entity Status: Most commonly "Active," "Inactive," or "Dissolved." An active status indicates the LLC is currently authorized to conduct business.
  • County of Operation: For an entity named after a 36th Street address, this will almost certainly be New York County (Manhattan). This determines the jurisdiction for legal filings and the location of the required newspaper publications.
  • Service of Process Address: This is the address where the Secretary of State will forward any legal documents (such as lawsuits) served against the LLC. It is often the address of a law firm or a professional registered agent service.

The Legal Framework of LLC Formation in New York

The formation of 36 West 36th St LLC was governed by the New York Limited Liability Company Law. Unlike many other states that have streamlined the process into a single online form, New York maintains several traditional and rigorous requirements that add complexity to the formation details.

Articles of Organization under Section 203

The foundational document for 36 West 36th St LLC is its Articles of Organization. Filed under Section 203 of the LLC Law, this document is what legally creates the entity. While the public search provides a summary, the original filed document contains the name of the "organizer"—the individual who filed the paperwork. In many real estate transactions, the organizer is a paralegal or attorney at a major NYC law firm, rather than the actual beneficial owner of the property.

The New York Publication Requirement (Section 206)

One of the most unique and expensive aspects of forming an LLC in New York City is the mandatory publication requirement. Under LLC Law § 206, within 120 days of its formation, 36 West 36th St LLC was required to publish a notice of its formation in two newspapers for six consecutive weeks.

In New York County (Manhattan), this is a significant undertaking. The newspapers are designated by the County Clerk and typically include one daily and one weekly publication. Due to the high circulation rates in Manhattan, the cost for this requirement alone often ranges between $1,000 and $1,500.

Failure to comply with this requirement results in the suspension of the LLC's "authority to carry on, conduct or transact any business." In our analysis of New York entities, we find that while a suspension doesn't invalidate contracts or protect members from liability, it does prevent the LLC from using the New York court system to bring a lawsuit. If 36 West 36th St LLC were to ever fall into suspension, it would need to file a "Certificate of Publication" along with the required affidavits from the newspapers to restore its standing.

Privacy and the Role of the Operating Agreement

A common question regarding the formation details of 36 West 36th St LLC is: "Who are the members?" In New York, the names of an LLC’s members and managers are generally not a matter of public record at the state level.

The Internal Nature of Operating Agreements

Under New York LLC Law § 417, all LLCs are required to adopt a written Operating Agreement within 90 days of formation. This document outlines:

  • The percentage of ownership held by each member.
  • The management structure (Member-managed vs. Manager-managed).
  • Procedures for distributing profits and losses.
  • Provisions for the transfer of interest or dissolution.

Crucially, the Operating Agreement is a private contract. It is not filed with the Department of State. Therefore, looking at the DOS formation details will not reveal who actually controls 36 West 36th St LLC. This layer of privacy is often why high-net-worth individuals and institutional investors use LLCs for Manhattan real estate acquisitions.

The Impact of the New York LLC Transparency Act

The landscape of "formation details" is currently undergoing a massive shift. In late 2023, the New York LLC Transparency Act was signed into law, modeled after the federal Corporate Transparency Act.

For entities like 36 West 36th St LLC, this means that they must now disclose their "Beneficial Owners"—the real humans who own or control at least 25% of the entity—to the New York Department of State. While the state has debated exactly how much of this information will be accessible to the general public (as opposed to law enforcement), the era of total anonymity for New York LLCs is coming to a close. Any recent or future changes to the formation details of 36 West 36th St LLC will likely involve compliance with these new disclosure rules.

Identifying the Physical Asset: 36 West 36th Street

Because the LLC's name mirrors a physical address, researchers are usually interested in the relationship between the corporate entity and the real estate. In the Manhattan commercial real estate market, 36 West 36th Street is a known location, typically categorized as a mid-block commercial or office building.

Using ACRIS to Link the LLC to the Deed

To find the ownership history of the building at 36 West 36th St, you must switch from the NY DOS database to the NYC Department of Finance ACRIS system. ACRIS allows you to search by "Parcel Identifier" (Block and Lot).

  1. Find the BBL: 36 West 36th Street is located in Manhattan (Borough 1). You can find its Block and Lot through the NYC Planning "ZOLA" map or the Department of Buildings (DOB) portal.
  2. Search ACRIS: Input the Block and Lot to see every recorded document since 1966.
  3. Identify the Deed: Look for a "Deed" or "Indenture" where 36 West 36th St LLC is listed as the "Grantee" (Buyer). This document will show when the LLC purchased the building, how much it paid, and who the "Grantor" (Seller) was.
  4. Mortgage Records: ACRIS will also show if the LLC has taken out any commercial loans. The mortgage documents often require a "Member" or "Authorized Signatory" to sign, providing a rare glimpse into the individuals behind the LLC.

Ongoing Compliance and Maintenance of Formation Details

An LLC is not a "set it and forget it" structure. To remain in "Good Standing" and keep its formation details active, 36 West 36th St LLC must meet ongoing statutory obligations.

The Biennial Statement

Every two years, during the anniversary month of its formation, the LLC must file a Biennial Statement with the NYS Department of State. This filing is simple but critical. It confirms the current address for service of process and the name of the CEO (if applicable). The filing fee is currently $9. If an entity fails to file this statement, its status will eventually change to "Past Due" or "Delinquent," which can complicate refinancing or selling the property at 36 West 36th Street.

Annual LLC Filing Fees

New York imposes an annual filing fee on LLCs that is based on the entity's New York-source gross income from the previous tax year.

  • For an LLC with income under $100,000, the fee is a modest $25.
  • For major Manhattan commercial buildings generating millions in rent, this fee can climb to $4,500.

While these fees are part of the entity's tax records and are not visible in the public formation details, the failure to pay them can lead to a loss of standing, which would be reflected in the DOS search results.

Why 36 West 36th St LLC Was Likely Formed

In the context of New York's sophisticated legal market, forming an LLC for a specific property like 36 West 36th St serves several strategic purposes:

  1. Liability Insulation: If a slip-and-fall accident or a contract dispute occurs at the property, the liability is generally limited to the assets owned by the LLC (the building itself), protecting the other assets of the investors.
  2. Transferability: It is often easier to sell the LLC that owns the building rather than the building itself. This can sometimes offer advantages in terms of transfer tax structuring, though New York's "mansion tax" and transfer tax laws have closed many of these loopholes.
  3. Management Clarity: If multiple investors own a piece of 36 West 36th Street, the LLC's Operating Agreement provides the clear legal roadmap for how decisions are made, avoiding messy "partition" lawsuits between co-owners.

Conclusion on Information Retrieval

Finding the formation details for 36 West 36th St LLC is a two-part process involving state-level corporate records and city-level property records. By using the NYS DOS database, you can confirm the legal existence and administrative history of the company. By using ACRIS, you can connect that company to the physical reality of Manhattan real estate.

As New York moves toward greater transparency with the LLC Transparency Act, the "details" available to the public are expected to grow, providing more insight into who truly owns and controls the iconic buildings that define the New York City skyline.

Frequently Asked Questions

Can I see the names of the owners of 36 West 36th St LLC on the NY DOS website?

No. Traditional New York LLC filings do not require the disclosure of members or managers in the public search results. You will only see the name of the entity, the filing date, and the address for legal service.

What does it mean if the status of 36 West 36th St LLC is "Inactive"?

If the status is inactive, it usually means the entity has been dissolved, either voluntarily by its members or through a "dissolution by proclamation" if it failed to file taxes or biennial statements for a long period. An inactive LLC generally cannot conduct new business or defend itself effectively in court.

Is the Service of Process address the same as the building address?

Not necessarily. Many LLCs use their lawyer's office or a professional service company (like CT Corporation or CSC) as their service of process address to ensure they never miss a legal notice.

How much does it cost to get a certified copy of the formation papers?

If you need an official, certified copy of the Articles of Organization for 36 West 36th St LLC for a legal or banking matter, the NY DOS charges a fee, typically around $10 for a plain copy or more for a certified version with a gold seal.

Does 36 West 36th St LLC have to pay taxes in New York City?

Yes. If the LLC owns property or conducts business in NYC, it may be subject to the New York City General Corporation Tax or the Unincorporated Business Tax (UBT), in addition to the state-level filing fees.