Travel Reference
In-Depth Information
Flatiron Building
This 21-story, triangular-shaped building has intrigued New Yorkers since it was
built by Daniel Burnham in 1902; the shape was so unusual that people took bets on
whether it would topple. The secret of this successful design was in the steel frame
support, which was used instead of traditional heavy stone walls: a precursor of sky-
scrapers to come (For further details see
Flatiron Building
)
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Woolworth Building
ArchitectCassGilbertwasresponsibleforthisflamboyant1913Neo-Gothicbuilding,
thetallestintheworldfortwodecadesafteritwascompleted.Therichterracottaor-
namentation accentuates thestructure's steelframe, whichsoars toacrown 60 stor-
ies above Broadway. The small lobby boasts a luxurious marble interior using stone
from both Greece and Vermont.
• 233 Broadway, between Park Pl & Barclay St
• Free
Lever House
Gordon Bunshaft's 24-story Lever House, completed in 1952, was revolutionary; it
was New York's first skyscraper built in the form of a soaring glass and steel vertic-
al slab. It began the eventual transformation of Park Avenue into an avenue of glass
towers.
• 390 Park Ave, between 53rd and 54th Sts
• Open during office hours
