The Woolworth Building, is a beautiful Neo-Gothic skyscraper located at 233 Broadway in lower Manhattan. It is amongst the 50 tallest buildings in the United States. It was built in 1913 and until the completion of 40 Wall St. and the Chrysler Building in 1930, the Woolworth Building was the tallest in the nation. The Woolworth still among the top 25 tallest buildings in NYC.
Designed by Cass Gilbert
One of the fun facts about the Woolworth Building is that its designer was Cass Gilbert, an Ohioan who was also the designer for the U.S. Supreme Court building. Gilbert considered a pioneer in the architecture of skyscrapers. Gilbert created about thrity 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 founded 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 building tenant and Pierson's desires were important ones to consider. Woolworth and Pierson regularly had animated discussions over their conflicting visions of what the building should look like.
Old Observation Deck
The observation deck was on the 57th floor, but was closed 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 tenants and had a well-known studio on the premises. 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 initial plan was it was only supposed to be a 12 to 16 story office building at the corner of Broadway and Park Place, but Woolworth kept procuring more land. The height of the building grew accordingly.
Caricatures
The Woolworth building's colonnade galleries are decorated with caricatures of the skyscraper's champions. When the rental agent Edward Hogan found out that he wasn't among the caricatures produced by Paul Jenewein, he was upset and insisted that his caricature be put in as well.
Designed by Cass Gilbert
One of the fun facts about the Woolworth Building is that its designer was Cass Gilbert, an Ohioan who was also the designer for the U.S. Supreme Court building. Gilbert considered a pioneer in the architecture of skyscrapers. Gilbert created about thrity 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 founded 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 building tenant and Pierson's desires were important ones to consider. Woolworth and Pierson regularly had animated discussions over their conflicting visions of what the building should look like.
Old Observation Deck
The observation deck was on the 57th floor, but was closed 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 tenants and had a well-known studio on the premises. 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 initial plan was it was only supposed to be a 12 to 16 story office building at the corner of Broadway and Park Place, but Woolworth kept procuring more land. The height of the building grew accordingly.
Caricatures
The Woolworth building's colonnade galleries are decorated with caricatures of the skyscraper's champions. When the rental agent Edward Hogan found out that he wasn't among the caricatures produced by Paul Jenewein, he was upset and insisted that his caricature be put in as well.
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.
