Metropolitan Life Tower

Identification

Map

Structure in general

Usage

Facts

• The building's traditional appearance belied state-of-the-art technology systems which included high speed elevators.
• The building is graced with an enormous clock on each of its four sides.
• World headquarters of Met Life Insurance Company.
• Corresponding to the original office block, Napoleon LeBrun & Sons' 1909 office tower is based on the campanile (clock and bell tower) of Campanile di San Marco in Venice, Italy.
• World's tallest building from 1909 - 1913; surpassed by the Woolworth Building.
• The tower was stripped of its ornamental details during an aggressive remodeling campaign in the 1960s.
• During the remodeling in 1960, the marble cladding was replaced by limestone.