Giggster logo
The Devil Wears Prada movie cover Movie Locations Guide

Where was The Devil Wears Prada filmed?

2006

City Locations

New York (USA), Paris (France)

Location Types

Modern Office, Hotel, Restaurant, Museum, House

Location Styles

Colonial, Modern Building, French, American Art Deco, Hotel Style

About The Devil Wears Prada

Released in 2006, the American comedy-drama film, The Devil Wears Prada, directed by David Frankel, features an ensemble cast including Meryl Streep, Anne Hathaway, Stanley Tucci, Emily Blunt, and Adrian Grenier.

The revolves around Andy Sachs (Anne Hathaway), a recent college graduate who secures a coveted position as an assistant to Miranda Priestly (Meryl Streep), the formidable editor-in-chief of Runway Fashion magazine. As time passes, Andy struggles to balance her personal life with her professional ambition, as she often finds herself subjected to Miranda's scorn and unreasonable demands.

The Devil Wears Prada received generally positive reviews from critics with praise for the performances of its cast members. Streep earned her 14th nomination for the Best Actress category at the Academy Awards, extending her record from 13 as the most nominated actor of any gender. Patricia Field was also nominated for Best Costume Design.

Although neither emerged victorious, Blunt and Hathaway lightened the mood by presenting the latter award while humorously impersonating their characters briefly. They anxiously inquired who among them had fetched Streep's cappuccino. Playing along, Streep maintained a serious facade before breaking into a smile.

The Devil Wears Prada Locations

The Devil Wears Prada, a 2006 hit romantic comedy-drama, was primarily shot in two iconic cities: New York City and Paris. From the bustling streets of Union Square to the serene canals of Quai de Montebello in Paris, viewers have a unique opportunity to witness the beauty of both cities in one movie.

In New York City, viewers experience the corporate lifestyle at The McGraw-Hill Building, 1221 6th Avenue, home of Elias-Clarke Publications. We also glimpse fashionable SoHo at 56 Crosby Street, where Andy meets designer James Holt. At 29 Union Square West at East 16th Street, viewers are taken into an intimate coffee shop filled with beautiful details from a bygone era.

Paris is no exception when it comes to spectacular scenery for this production. Along Rue Frédéric Sauton is where Andy and Christian stroll down cobblestone sidewalks under quaint street lamps that light up cafes and restaurants perfect for enjoying dinner and dessert while watching passersby.

A trip to The Devil Wears Prada locations would certainly be worthwhile given its well-known landmarks around New York City area, such as SoHo and Union Square that offer shops and restaurants as well as breathtaking sites like St Regis Hotel, or if you’re feeling more adventurous, there’s always enchanting Paris with its beautiful cobblestone streets and bridges enhanced by its rich culture creating a timeless backdrop perfect for any traveler looking to explore new places.

Fun Fact

Despite the movie's setting in the fashion industry and its nods to renowned figures and institutions, most fashion designers and other notable figures chose not to appear as themselves. This decision was largely driven by the apprehension of upsetting US Vogue editor Anna Wintour, who is widely speculated to have been the muse for the character of Priestly.

The interview scene in The Devil Wears Prada

McGraw-Hill Building, 1221 6th Ave, New York, NY, USA

The iconic opening scene in the movie takes place at the McGraw-Hill Building, 1221 6th Avenue, which functions as the headquarters for the fictitious Elias-Clarke Publications. At this location, Andy Sachs (Anne Hathaway) undergoes a pivotal job interview with Miranda Priestly (Meryl Streep), a commanding figure in the fashion industry who reigns over Runway magazine. We are presented with a captivating moment as Andy embarks on her first day, navigating the adaptation challenges.

The building provides an impressive setting for this memorable moment in the film. During this scene, viewers can admire the red granite piers alternating with glass stripes on the facade, emphasizing its verticality. The 51-floor structure has a seven-story base and a simple cuboid massing that defies fashion and trends.

The McGraw-Hill Building is located at 1221 6th Avenue in Midtown Manhattan between 48th and 49th Street. Nearby attractions include Radio City Music Hall, Rockefeller Center, and Times Square. Numerous cafes and restaurants are within walking distance of the building, making it a popular tourist destination for The Devil Wears Prada fans.

The best way to get to McGraw-Hill Building is via public transportation. Take Subway line B or D to 47–50 Streets/Rockefeller Center station or A/C/E line to 42nd Street – Port Authority Bus Terminal station. From there, it's only a short walk away.

Miranda calls Andy while she is with her father scene in The Devil Wears Prada

Craft Restaurant, 43 E 19th St, New York, NY, USA

Andy (Anne Hathaway) receives an urgent call from Miranda (Meryl Streep) while enjoying a meal with her father. Miranda is stuck in Florida, where all airports have been shut down due to a raging hurricane, yet she must find a way back home. Despite the circumstances, she tasks Andy with the challenging mission of getting her home. Andy leaves no stone unturned, contacting every potential airline, only to find that none are operating flights due to the severe weather conditions.

The restaurant, Craft, where this scene was filmed, is located at 43 East 19th Street, between Broadway and Park Avenue in Manhattan's Flatiron District. This trendy neighborhood is known for its exciting mix of urban architecture, modern art galleries, and vintage shops. In addition, nearby Union Square is home to a vibrant green market full of organic produce and artisanal goods from local farmers. Craft's story continues even after 20 years, offering exquisite seasonal dinner service every evening. The place is still operational, so fans can easily visit it.

Several convenient transportation options are available for those wishing to visit Craft today. To reach your destination by private car, follow the route via Manhattan Bridge Lower Roadway from Brooklyn. The estimated travel time is approximately 30 minutes, subject to traffic conditions. It takes just 20 minutes to drive from Jersey City via the Holland Tunnel.

Miranda's Townhouse scene in The Devil Wears Prada

129 E 73rd St, New York, NY, USA

Miranda (Meryl Streep) spots a transformation in Andy (Anne Hathaway). She assigns her a fresh task: carrying "The Book" (an early draft of the forthcoming issue's feature spreads) to her luxurious residence in the Upper East Side. However, Andy gets trapped by Miranda's daughters, who trick her into going upstairs, where she unintentionally intrudes on a heated spat between Miranda and her spouse. Mortified, Andy lets the book slip from her hands and hastily makes her exit.

The majestic townhouse that serves as the setting of this pivotal scene is located at 129 E 73rd St, Upper East Side. This spacious townhouse spans six stories and features seven bedrooms and four expansive terraces within its 22-foot-wide layout. The exterior façade of the house remains mostly unchanged since the filming and looks grand, with intricate brickwork, French doors, and Juliet balconies.

To get to this location quickly from anywhere in New York City, take the subway to 77th Street & Lexington Avenue Station or a bus to 74th Street/1st Avenue, and walk for 5 - 10 minutes.

Andrea saves Miranda from social embarrassment at a charity benefit scene in The Devil Wears Prada

American Museum of Natural History, 200 Central Park West, New York, NY, USA

When Emily (Emily Blunt) succumbs to sickness, Miranda (Meryl Streep) orders Andy (Anne Hathaway) to join her at a charity benefit. Their role at the event is to pose as attendees, while their actual task is to feed Miranda crucial details about individuals approaching her for a chat. During the event, Andy prevents a potentially embarrassing situation for Miranda when she steps in to provide a forgotten name that Emily was supposed to remember.

This scene was filmed at the American Museum of Natural History in New York City, in Theodore Roosevelt Park across Central Park. The museum complex has been featured in several movies, most notably Night At The Museum (2006). The complex comprises 20 interconnected buildings encompassing 45 permanent exhibition halls, a planetarium, and a library. The location is accessible to tourists, allowing for convenient visits.

Visitors interested in seeing where this famous scene was filmed can access the American Museum of Natural History through multiple public transportation options. If traveling by subway or bus, take any train along the 1, 2, or 3 lines to Columbus Circle Station and then walk six short blocks east on Central Park West towards Theodore Roosevelt Park.

Andy discovers the secret plans lined up for Miranda scene in The Devil Wears Prada

W New York - Times Square, 1567 Broadway, New York, NY, USA

In Paris, following her encounter with Christian (Simon Baker), Andy (Anne Hathaway) discovers a plot to supplant Miranda (Meryl Streep) with Jacqueline Follet (Stephanie Szostak), the editor of the French version of Runway, as the magazine's chief. Despite enduring numerous trials at her boss's command, she tries to alert Miranda about the impending shift. However, her efforts appear to be repeatedly dismissed by the very woman whose professional status she is trying to protect.

The scene was filmed at 1567 Broadway in NYC, the address of the W New York - Times Square. This popular location boasts stunning views of Hell's Kitchen and all its restaurants and bars, along with some of Broadway’s most iconic theaters nearby. It also serves as a canvas for a plethora of other scenes from television shows and Hollywood films, including Spider-Man: Homecoming, Will & Grace, Gossip Girl, and Friends.

Getting to this iconic spot is relatively easy since it’s in Times Square. It can be accessed via various forms of public transportation, such as the S train on 42nd Street or several bus routes stopping nearby, like M6, M7, M20, and X17J.

Andy leaves the fashion world scene in The Devil Wears Prada

Place de la Concorde, Paris, France

Andy (Anne Hathaway) exits the limo, diverging from the path to the show with Miranda (Meryl Streep) and stepping onto the street instead. Rather than responding to another call from her boss, she tosses her cell phone into a nearby fountain, thereby metaphorically casting aside Miranda, Runway, and the world of fashion.

This particular scene was filmed on location at Place de la Concorde in Paris, France. The Place de la Concorde is renowned for its somber past. It underwent a name change to Place de la Révolution during the French Revolution. It became the site of numerous public executions, including those of King Louis XVI, Marie Antoinette, and Maximilien Robespierre. This place thus carries a great deal of symbolism about how influential people can be overthrown if they fail to serve their citizens properly.

You can take lines 1 and 8 of the Paris Metro system to get to this location and get off at Concorde station. Once there, you'll find yourself in front of the grand monumental fountain surrounded by eight statues depicting French cities. As you look around, you'll also see many other neoclassical buildings like the Hôtel Crillon and Musée du Lourve nearby.

Conclusion

In The Devil Wears Prada, the juxtaposition of filming locations in New York and Paris adds an enchanting layer to the narrative. New York's iconic settings, such as bustling Times Square and the elegant lobby of Elias-Clarke, perfectly mirror the fast-paced fashion industry.

The vibrant energy of the city complements Andy's transformation. On the other hand, Parisian locations like the charming streets of Le Marais and the regal Ritz Paris evoke a sense of refined allure, reflecting the protagonist's evolution into haute couture culture. These meticulously chosen filming locations enhance the film's thematic depth, showcasing the duality of ambition and self-discovery.

The interplay between New York and Paris is a visual metaphor, underlining Andy's journey from a novice to a sophisticated individual. As the narrative spans these two captivating cities, the filming locations elevate the storytelling, ultimately making them intrinsic elements of the movie's allure and charm.