Woolworth Building

The Woolworth Building on Broadway in Manhattan, New York City was built 1910-1913. The construction cost its owner Franklin Winfield Woolworth 13.5 million U.S. dollars, which he paid in cash. With 241 meters, it was up to the completion of the Bank of Manhattan Building (now 40 Wall Street ) on Wall Street in 1930, the tallest building in the world. Between 1977 and 1981 it was renovated for 20 million U.S. dollars. Recently a major renovation took place in 2000.

History and Architecture

At the dedication of the building on April 24, 1913, considered the eighth wonder of the world. Frank Woolworth personally had 800 guests invited to this auspicious occasion. During the celebration continued, President Woodrow Wilson of the White House in Washington via a transmission line, the lighting of the building in motion.

Executive architect was Cass Gilbert, who also built the New York Life Insurance Building and United States Court House in New York City. In the lobby are among other sculptures by Frank Woolworth, Cass Gilbert and Louis Horowitz, the builder of the building. Today, the building of Witkoff Group is one.

The building consists of a 29 -story base and a further 28 storey tower. At night, the upper part of the tower is green and white lights. As Cass Gilbert The Woolworth Building designed, he wanted to combine Gothic elements with the modern idea of the skyscraper. As a result, one finds on the facade Gargoyle, corner towers, painted terracotta panels and floating pillar. There is a tympanum on which the personification of trade can be seen above the entrance. Due to its aesthetics and its function, the Woolworth Building has received the nickname " Cathedral of Commerce ".

Mid-2012 were known plans by which the upper floors to be converted into luxury residential units. It provides for the transformation of the last 30 floors, which is a completion not expected before 2015.

Views

The still unfinished Woolworth Building in 1912

Historical recording from 1913

View from the road

Spire

View from afar on the building

View from front

Looking into the lobby of the building