The Woolworth Building, is a stunning Neo-Gothic skyscraper at 233 Broadway in lower Manhattan. The building is amongst the 50 tallest buildings in the US. It was built in 1913 and until the construction of 40 Wall Street and the Chrysler Building in 1930, it was actually the tallest in the U.S. The Woolworth Building is still among the top 25 tallest buildings in New York.
Designed by Cass Gilbert
One of the interesting facts about the Woolworth Building is that its architect was Cass Gilbert, an Ohioan who was also the designer for the U.S. Supreme Court building. He's considered a pioneer in the architecture of skyscrapers. Gilbert created thirty plans for the building over a two year span before he decided on the one that we see today.
Commissioned by Frank W. Woolworth
Frank Woolworth created the Woolworth Company, a chain of "5 and 10" stores. When he comissioned the building, he paid for the $13,500,000 skyscraper in actual cash.
Struggles with Lewis Pierson
The Woolworth building also housed the Irving Bank, whose president was Lewis Pierson. The Irving Bank was a major tenant and Pierson's wants were vital to the buildings design. Woolworth and Pierson often differed over their different of what the building should look like.
Old Observation Deck
The observer's platform was on the 57th floor, but was closed to the public in 1945.
National Historic Landmark
The Woolwprth Building has been a National Historic Landmark since 1966.
Columbia Records
In 1913, Columbia Records was one of the first building tenants and had a well-known studio in-house. The studio was in use as early as 1917.
Frank Woolworth's Private Office
The office is decorated in the baroque French Empire style and is decorated in marble.
Unplanned Heights
The initial plan was it was only meant to be a 12 to 16 story office building at the corner of Broadway and Park Place, but Woolworth kept taking more real estate. The height of the building grew accordingly.
Caricatures
The Woolworth building's colonnade galleries are embellished with caricatures of the skyscraper's benefactors. When rental agent Edward Hogan found out he was not among the caricatures produced by Paul Jenewein, he was very upset and insisted that his caricature be put in also.
Designed by Cass Gilbert
One of the interesting facts about the Woolworth Building is that its architect was Cass Gilbert, an Ohioan who was also the designer for the U.S. Supreme Court building. He's considered a pioneer in the architecture of skyscrapers. Gilbert created thirty plans for the building over a two year span before he decided on the one that we see today.
Commissioned by Frank W. Woolworth
Frank Woolworth created the Woolworth Company, a chain of "5 and 10" stores. When he comissioned the building, he paid for the $13,500,000 skyscraper in actual cash.
Struggles with Lewis Pierson
The Woolworth building also housed the Irving Bank, whose president was Lewis Pierson. The Irving Bank was a major tenant and Pierson's wants were vital to the buildings design. Woolworth and Pierson often differed over their different of what the building should look like.
Old Observation Deck
The observer's platform was on the 57th floor, but was closed to the public in 1945.
National Historic Landmark
The Woolwprth Building has been a National Historic Landmark since 1966.
Columbia Records
In 1913, Columbia Records was one of the first building tenants and had a well-known studio in-house. The studio was in use as early as 1917.
Frank Woolworth's Private Office
The office is decorated in the baroque French Empire style and is decorated in marble.
Unplanned Heights
The initial plan was it was only meant to be a 12 to 16 story office building at the corner of Broadway and Park Place, but Woolworth kept taking more real estate. The height of the building grew accordingly.
Caricatures
The Woolworth building's colonnade galleries are embellished with caricatures of the skyscraper's benefactors. When rental agent Edward Hogan found out he was not among the caricatures produced by Paul Jenewein, he was very upset and insisted that his caricature be put in also.
About the Author:
Jeff Myers has been fascinated by famous Manhattan buildings like the Woolworth building for a number of years. He has written many articles about this this topic that can be found here.
No comments:
Post a Comment