NEW YORK - Five buildings along West 28th Street, known as "Tin Pan Alley," are now designated historical landmarks.

The city Landmarks Preservation Commission voted Tuesday on the block of buildings considered one of the birthplaces of American music.

Music legends like Irving Berlin, George Gerswhin and Scott Joplin composed some of their most famous songs there, and made sheet music available to the American public.

The area got its nickname for the abundance of piano music played, which visitors said made the streets sound like a tin pan.