Woolworth Building

An early skyscraper, National Historic Landmark since 1966, and New York City landmark since 1983, the Woolworth Building was the tallest building in the world upon completion in 1913 until 1930.

233 Broadway New York, NY

Neo-Gothic Style

Façade Architectural Details Straight lines of the “piers” ascend upwards to the over-scaled pyramidal cap

Top Portion of Building 57th Floor Observation Deck until 1940

Building Use Transition  U-Shaped Portion- 29 Stories Tall  Top 30 Floors Conversion to Luxury Residential Condominiums

Lobby Details  Marble Finishes  Vaulted Ceiling  Mosaics  Stained-Glass Ceiling Light  Bronze Fittings

PROJECT SUMMARY

Project Description A classic early high-rise architectural landmark incorporating Gothic themes with the modern idea of a skyscraper. The 1913 Gothic Revival building featured gargoyles, arches and flying buttresses. Bordered by Broadway, Barclay Street, Church Street, and Park Place, the building is located in New York City’s Financial District.

Building Description 57 floor, Neo-Gothic designed, steel-rigid frame structure with light gray, limestone-colored, glazed, terra-cotta façade

Official Building Name Woolworth Building

Location 233 Broadway, New York City, NY

Construction Start - 1910 | Completion- 1913

History Tallest building in the World 1913 - 1930 Named the “Cathedral of Commerce” upon completion

Construction Cost $13.5 million

LEADERSHIP | PROJECT TEAM | DESIGN | CONSTRUCTION

U.S. President Woodrow Wilson

New York City Mayor William Jay Gaynor

Building Owner 1913 F.W. Woolworth Company

Developer F.W. Woolworth Company & Irving National Exchange Bank

Architect Cass Gilbert

Structural Engineering Gunvald Aus Company

Primary Contractor Thompson-Starrett & Company

Current Use Office | Residential (top 30 floors)

BUILDING CONSTRUCTION & AMENITIES SUMMARY

Size 1.3 Million GSF

Height 792 Feet | 241 Meters

Number of Floors 57 (above ground)

Design 57 floor, Neo-Gothic architectural style, featuring gargoyles, arches and flying buttresses. The Gothic detailing, at its crown, is over-scaled for people to view architectural details from the street level.

Foundation Caisson foundation that penetrates to the bedrock

Lobby Ornate, cruciform, Romanesque lobby comprised of Syros-veined marble, barrel-vaulted ceilings, mosaics, stained-glass ceiling and bronze fittings.

Façade Light gray, limestone-colored, glazed, terra-cotta façade. Terra-cotta panels were replaced with concrete panels, and certain Gothic ornamental details removed, during the 1977 and 1981 renovations.

Elevators 34 Elevators

Amenities Upon opening, amenities featured a shopping arcade, barber shop, restaurant and social club.

NOTABLE FACTS

 Tallest building 1913-1930, preceded by Metropolitan Life Tower. Surpassed in 1930, for a relatively short one-year period, by the Bank of Manhattan (40 Wall Street) and Chrysler Building, followed by the Empire State Building in 1931.

 The most recognizable skyscraper in the world until the Chrysler Building and Empire State Building were built in 1930 and 1931.

 Owned by the Woolworth Company for 85 years until 1998 when sold to the Witkoff Group for $155 million.

 Located in the Financial District, in New York City’s Manhattan Borough, adjacent to New York City Hall.

 On the evening of the April 24, 1913 opening, President Woodrow Wilson turned the interior lights on remotely from Washington, DC.

 Renovated in 1977 and 1981 for $20 Million

 In 2012, an investment group, led by Alchemy Properties, acquired the top 30 floors of the property for $68 million. Famed architect, Thierry W. Despont, Ltd., designed the transformation of the top 30 floors into a limited collection of thirty-four luxury condominiums - The Woolworth Tower Residences.

Woolworth Building (left side of the photo) with NY City Hall (middle of photo)

Just over 100 years later, One World Trade Center shown with the Woolworth Building

Prior to September 11, 2001, the World Trade Center buildings were often photographed with the Woolworth Building appearing between the Twin Towers.

Woolworth Building - from Chinatown District (top middle of photo) Woolworth Building in Lower Manhattan Financial District