The Woolworth Building is one of the 50 highest skyscrapers in the United States.
Its roof reaches more than 241 meters from the ground. More than a hundred years old, this building is distinguished by a very neat architecture that reminds the old European cathedrals. This design has earned it the nickname Cathedral of Commerce.
Commissioned by Frank Woolworth, the owner of the supermarket chain of the same name, the Woolworth Building was the tallest building in the world between 1913 and 1930.
The Woolworth Building, what you should know
An elegant building
The Woolworth Building stands at 233 Broadway, in the borough of Manhattan, New York. Built-in 1913, it is one of the oldest skyscrapers in the city.
Its architecture is representative of the neo-Gothic style so common to European churches and palaces dating from the late Middle Ages.
With its side and upper turrets, its syncopated vertical crossbeams, and its greenish-gray dome, this building is totally different from the skyscrapers of New York.
On its rear side, the building is U-shaped. Its solid metal structure is covered with a robust stone and terracotta (terracota). This explains the unique color of the building.
The interior is just as seductive. You enter through the huge gothic portal of the Tudor era. The entrance hall is an imposing room that covers the first 3 floors.
It has the shape of the nave of a church. The heights have dome shapes that rest on majestic columns. The walls are covered with mosaics and they support gilded cornices whose layout is aerial.
All its architectural specificities justify that the Woolworth building has been registered as a National Historic Landmark, a title that officially distinguishes places considered to have a historical interest.
A historic building
The building was commissioned by Franklin W. Woolworth (1852-1919), a well-known businessman who developed a chain of low-cost stores that bore his name.
In 2001, the company refocused on sportswear and renamed itself Foot Locker. These stores can be found all over the United States, but also in the world.
In 1910, Frank Woolworth commissioned a large building to house his company’s headquarters and to provide office space for other companies to rent.
The architect Cass Gilbert was contacted because of his skills, which reflected his interest in fine arts.
Initially planned to reach 190 meters, the project was increased during its construction to finally reach 241 meters and become the tallest building in the world.
The building was inaugurated on April 24, 1913. The Reverend S. Parkes Cadman who was in charge of blessing the building described it as the “cathedral of commerce“. This is the nickname that is still used today to designate this beautiful skyscraper.
The Woolworth Building in figures
The building has 57 floors and a total of 32 elevators. The beautiful doors of these elevators were created by Tiffany & Co. The building was intended for commercial use.
Today, the offices are mainly occupied by law firms and a branch of New York University, which provides private courses for businessmen.
Since 2013, the year the building celebrated its centennial, tours have been organized. These tours are limited to the entrance hall and some annex areas.
