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Woolworth Building
 

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Woolworth Building, New York City, U.S.A., Building, House, Structure, Image, Photo, Emporis,View from the southeast - 2006-4-2 (453697)
(c) John W. Cahill
 
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Woolworth Building, New York City, U.S.A., Building, House, Structure, Image, Photo, Emporis,Entrance - 2006-4-2 (559054)
(c) Michiel van Dijk
 
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Woolworth Building, New York City, U.S.A., Building, House, Structure, Image, Photo, Emporis,View from the southeast across Park Row and City Hall Park - 2006-4-2 (484596)
(c) John W. Cahill
 
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Identification
Official name Woolworth Building
Alternative names *
Emporis Building Number 114681
NYC Building ID Number *
 
Location
Address *
Bordering street #1 Barclay Street
Bordering street #2 Broadway
Bordering street #3 Park Place
Postcode *
Exact Latitude *
Exact Longitude *
Location Map (POI) *
Block Number *
Lot Number *
Neighborhood Civic Center
Borough Manhattan
City New York City
State New York
Country U.S.A.
 
Technical Data
Height (tip) *
Height (struct.) 241 m 792 ft
Height (roof) *
Length (max) *
Width (max) *
Floors (OG) 57
Construction start *
Construction end 1913
Last reconstruction *
GFA *
UFA *
Cubical space *
Elevators *
 
Building in General
Type of construction skyscraper
Architectural style *
Status existing [completed]

Facts
- The Woolworth Building was the most recognizable skyscraper in the world until the Chrysler Building was built in 1930.
- The tower was designed to be seen as a free-standing skyscraper, so all four sides were treated architecturally.
- The straight lines of the piers end in the tower decorated with gargoyles, turrents, pinnacles, and colored terra-cotta panels.
- The Woolworth has a Romanesque lobby with barrel-vaulted ceilings.
- Dubbed the "Cathedral of Commerce" upon its completion. Retail magnate Frank W. Woolworth paid for the building out of his pocket...$13.5 million.
- Also located in the lobby are sculpted caricatures of Frank Woolworth, Cass Gilbert and Louis Horowitz, the builder.
- When Cass Gilbert was designing the Woolworth Building, he wanted to incorporate Gothic themes with the modern idea of a skyscraper. The result, termed Gothic Revival, features gargoyles, arches and flying buttresses.
- Renovated between 1977 and 1981 for $20 million.
- The lower U-shaped part of the building is 29 stories high.
- World's tallest building from 1913 - 1930; surpassed by The Trump Building.

Companies involved in this Building*
Architect:
Cass Gilbert

Other companies:
American Bridge Company, Atlantic Terra Cotta Company, Gunvald Aus Company, New York University, Otis Elevator Company, Thompson-Starrett & Co..