The Woolworth Building, is a stunning Neo-Gothic skyscraper located at 233 Broadway in lower Manhattan. It is among the tallest buildings in the U.S.. It was built in 1913 and until the completion of 40 Wall Street and the Chrysler Building in 1930, it was offically the tallest in the country. It's 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 designer was Cass Gilbert, an Ohioan who was also the architect for the U.S. Supreme Court building. He's considered a leader in the architecture of skyscrapers. Gilbert created about thrity plans for the building over two years before he made a decision on the one that became the final plan.
Commissioned by Frank W. Woolworth
Frank Woolworth created the Woolworth Company, a chain of "5 and 10" stores. When he comissioned the building, Woolworth paid for the $13,500,000 skyscraper in 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 had animated debates over their conflicting visions 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
Starting in 1913, Columbia Records was one of the first renters and had a famous studio in house. The studio was in use as early as 1917.
Frank Woolworth's Private Office
The office is designed in the baroque French Empire style and is decorated in marble.
Unplanned Heights
The first plan was that this was only meant to be around a twelve or sixteen story office building at the corner of Broadway and Park Place, but Woolworth kept acquiring more land. The height of the building grew accordingly.
Caricatures
The Woolworth building's colonnade galleries are decorated with caricatures of the skyscraper's benefactors. When the rental agent Edward Hogan found out that he had not been included among the caricatures produced by Paul Jenewein, he was 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 designer was Cass Gilbert, an Ohioan who was also the architect for the U.S. Supreme Court building. He's considered a leader in the architecture of skyscrapers. Gilbert created about thrity plans for the building over two years before he made a decision on the one that became the final plan.
Commissioned by Frank W. Woolworth
Frank Woolworth created the Woolworth Company, a chain of "5 and 10" stores. When he comissioned the building, Woolworth paid for the $13,500,000 skyscraper in 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 had animated debates over their conflicting visions 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
Starting in 1913, Columbia Records was one of the first renters and had a famous studio in house. The studio was in use as early as 1917.
Frank Woolworth's Private Office
The office is designed in the baroque French Empire style and is decorated in marble.
Unplanned Heights
The first plan was that this was only meant to be around a twelve or sixteen story office building at the corner of Broadway and Park Place, but Woolworth kept acquiring more land. The height of the building grew accordingly.
Caricatures
The Woolworth building's colonnade galleries are decorated with caricatures of the skyscraper's benefactors. When the rental agent Edward Hogan found out that he had not been included among the caricatures produced by Paul Jenewein, he was 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.
