Woolworth Building
The Woolworth Building, at 57 stories, is one of the oldest—and
one of the most famous—skyscrapers in New York City. More than 95
years after its construction, it is still one of the fifty tallest
buildings in the United States as well as one of the twenty tallest
buildings in New York City. The building is a National Historic
Landmark, having been listed in 1966.
The Woolworth Building was constructed in neo-Gothic style by
architect Cass Gilbert, who was commissioned by Frank Woolworth in
1910 to design the new corporate headquarters on Broadway, between
Park Place and Barclay Street in Lower Manhattan, opposite City Hall.
With splendor and a resemblance to European Gothic cathedrals, the
structure was labeled the Cathedral of Commerce by the Reverend S.
Parkes Cadman during the opening ceremony. It remained the tallest
building in the world until the construction of 40 Wall Street and the
Chrysler Building in 1930; an observation deck on the 57th floor
attracted visitors until 1945.
Photo 293, Oct 2010