This last Sunday, I visited NYC, especially to go on a tour of the 1913 Woolworth Building, designed in 1913 by architect Cass Gilbert. This tour is available due to the excellent scholarship of tour guide and architectural historian, Anthony Robins, who we had met when he gave a talk in Delaware last year.
At the time it was built at 233 Broadway, it was the tallest building in the city and is still one of the 20 tallest buildings in New York City. The lobby has been closed to the public since 9-11, and tours have only been available since the 100th birthday of the building last year.
It was a temple of commerce, and its Gothic tracery and mosaic tiles were modeled after the Houses of Parliament and the mosaics of Ravenna, Italy. The gargoyles took the forms of the architect, contractor, banker, and even the leasing agent (who said,"Hey, how about me?") NYU now occupies part of the back of the building and the upper part of the building is owned by a developer, Alchemy Properties.
The penthouse will take up 9 stories and have 7 levels, including the old observation deck. The asking price is said to be $110 million, making it the most pricey yet for the city (previous record price is $88 million on Central Park West.
Looking for an historic property in Delaware or Chester County, Pennsylvania? Contact Carolyn Roland.
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