The Woolworth Building, is a lovely Neo-Gothic skyscraper found at 233 Broadway in lower Manhattan. The Woolworth Building one of the 50 tallest buildings in the US. It was built in 1913 and until the completing of 40 Wall St and the Chrysler Building in 1930, Woolworth was offically 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 fun points about the Woolworth Building is that its designer was Cass Gilbert, an Ohioan who was also the creator for the U.S. Supreme Court building. Gilbert considered a pioneer in the architecture of skyscrapers. Gilbert created thrity different plans for the building over a two year span before he selected the one that we see today.
Commissioned by Frank W. Woolworth
Frank Woolworth created the Woolworth Company, a chain of "5 and 10" stores. Upon commissioning the building, he 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 renter and Pierson's desires were important ones to consider. Woolworth and Pierson often had animated debates over their conflicting visions of what the building should look like.
Old Observation Deck
The observation platform was located 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 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 first plan was it was only meant to be a twelve to sixteen story office building at the corner of Broadway and Park Place, but Woolworth kept procuring more real estate. The height of the building grew accordingly.
Caricatures
The Woolworth building's colonnade galleries are decorated with caricatures of the skyscraper's patrons. When rental agent Edward Hogan found out he wasn't among the caricatures produced by Paul Jenewein, he was vocally upset and insisted that his caricature be put in too.
Designed by Cass Gilbert
One of the fun points about the Woolworth Building is that its designer was Cass Gilbert, an Ohioan who was also the creator for the U.S. Supreme Court building. Gilbert considered a pioneer in the architecture of skyscrapers. Gilbert created thrity different plans for the building over a two year span before he selected the one that we see today.
Commissioned by Frank W. Woolworth
Frank Woolworth created the Woolworth Company, a chain of "5 and 10" stores. Upon commissioning the building, he 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 renter and Pierson's desires were important ones to consider. Woolworth and Pierson often had animated debates over their conflicting visions of what the building should look like.
Old Observation Deck
The observation platform was located 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 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 first plan was it was only meant to be a twelve to sixteen story office building at the corner of Broadway and Park Place, but Woolworth kept procuring more real estate. The height of the building grew accordingly.
Caricatures
The Woolworth building's colonnade galleries are decorated with caricatures of the skyscraper's patrons. When rental agent Edward Hogan found out he wasn't among the caricatures produced by Paul Jenewein, he was vocally upset and insisted that his caricature be put in too.
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.
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