The iconic Flatiron Building is a beautiful architectural feat. The structure’s unique shape resembles that of a flattened clothing iron, earning it its nickname. The terra-cotta and stone skyscraper is built around steel skeletons and inspired by Renaissance and French art, making it an example of Beaux-Arts architecture.
Another spectacular Beaux-Arts structure is Grand Central Terminal. This massive train station is worth a visit, especially to see its opal-faced clock located in the center information booth.
1. Rockefeller Center
One can’t talk about the glories of New York City’s architecture without mentioning Rockefeller Center. This office complex rose in the chill of depression and exemplifies what many would consider to be the most successful example of modern architecture as it intersects with urban planning. This is the most important building complex of its time, and perhaps ever. Its 21 buildings are arranged around a central sunken plaza. Each has a different design and each is stunning in its own way. It has a unique style that is very different from the typical skyscrapers of its day.
The design was a collaboration of several architects with different expertise. Real estate developer John Todd, who had worked on speculative projects at Grand Central Terminal, oversaw the development. He enlisted the firm Reinhard and Hofmeister, who had extensive experience in designing economic floor plans for business buildings. He also recruited Harvey Wiley Corbett, a leader of the Regional Plan Association, to help with issues of city planning and traffic flow. Finally, Wallace Harrison, the architect behind the massive General Electric building that stands today, was brought on board to help with construction and esthetic issues.
This collaboration of architects was responsible for the restrained showmanship and coolly calculated magnificence of the complex. It is still an enduring symbol of the power and prestige of American business and its place in world culture. The sunken plaza is topped with Paul Manship’s gilded bronze statue of Prometheus. Each year, the plaza hosts an ice skating rink and is lit up by an enormous Christmas tree.
The RCA Building, which is a part of the complex, was built in 1931-33. It is the centerpiece of the Rockefeller Center and features a unique art deco design.
2. Guggenheim Museum
The Guggenheim Museum is a must-see for any architecture lover. Designed by Frank Lloyd Wright, this iconic building is an expression of his philosophy of organic architecture. The curves of the structure contrast with the strict grid of Manhattan streets and have become one of the city’s most recognizable landmarks.
When Wright began designing the Guggenheim Museum, he wanted to create a space that would allow art to be viewed from all angles. He also wanted to create a structure that would be a symbol of freedom and open spaces. Wright used the spiral shape of the museum as a way to express these ideas and created an interior that is both beautiful and practical.
While many people may be intimidated by the appearance of the museum, once you step inside you will see that it is actually a very welcoming and inviting space. The curved walls and ceilings are a perfect complement to the artwork displayed in the gallery. The large skylight allows natural light to flood the space, creating a bright and airy atmosphere.
The entire Guggenheim Museum is a work of art, from the exterior to the interior. It took Wright 15 years, 700 sketches, and six sets of working drawings to turn his vision into reality. The result is an extraordinary museum that stands out as a masterpiece of International style architecture.
The museum was recently restored after a four-year renovation project. During this time, cracks in the concrete were repaired and peeling paint was removed and replaced. While Wright buildings are known for being difficult to maintain, the Guggenheim has proven to be a strong and durable structure that will last for generations to come.
3. Grand Central Terminal
The world-famous Grand Central Terminal is a stunning sight that catches the eye of many visitors. Whether they’re looking for a spot to grab a bite at one of the many iconic restaurants or want to reenact their favorite movies scenes, it’s easy to see why this iconic landmark draws millions of people to it each day. However, this famous train station is so much more than meets the eye and has some secrets that will surprise you.
The Beaux-Arts Grand Central Terminal opened its doors at midnight on February 2, 1913, and it became the largest train station in the world at a time when railroads were booming with passenger traffic. The soaring structure was built in the City Beautiful style and featured Corinthian columns, semicircular arched windows, and strict symmetry to resemble an ancient temple. The 42nd Street facade was topped by an imposing sculptural group of the Roman gods Mercury, Hercules, and Minerva designed by Jules Coutan. A huge Tiffany glass clock sits beneath the dome, and a main concourse crowned by a large skylight is covered in a celestial ceiling mural featuring hundreds of stars and constellations.
The Grand Central Terminal was also innovative in its design, as the tracks and platforms were buried underground. This allowed the railroads to sell above-ground air rights for commercial real estate development. Over the years, this area of Midtown Manhattan grew into a remarkable urban campus with shops, hotels, and swank apartments erected above the stations. Today, Grand Central is the heart of a remarkable transportation hub that serves as home to commuter trains, subway lines, and bus routes. It’s the second most visited public building in all of New York City.
4. 1 Wall Street
Completed at the peak of New York’s love affair with Art Deco architecture in 1931, 1 Wall Street is a defining feature on the city’s skyline. Designed by Ralph Walker of the architectural firm Voorhees Gmelin & Walker, the tower was constructed for the Irving Trust commercial bank. At the time, the company was headquartered in Washington Market, where it served the merchants and food vendors that dotted the neighborhood.
The fluted limestone facades, with their angled corners and recessed windows, are distinct features of the building’s design. Walker wanted to reflect the “precision of modern industry,” according to a New York Times article from the time, which noted that he was influenced by the sleek machines of his own age. The curved limestone blocks are even carved with a pattern, a nod to the mechanical and financial industries of the day.
When the tower became a New York City Landmark in 1966, it was home to the corporate offices of the Bank of New York Mellon Corporation until 2014. That year, Macklowe Properties bought the building for $585 million and began its transformation into 566 condominium apartments.
Macklowe’s residential project includes a 39th-floor rooftop deck and an indoor pool, among other amenities. But the crowning jewel of the building is the spectacular views that residents will enjoy. “One of the things that draws buyers to One Wall is that they can look out their windows and see some of the most iconic landmarks in the city,” says Compass broker Kirk Rundhaug, who has sold units there. “You can literally look down on the trading floor of the New York Stock Exchange,” he adds.
The sweeping panoramas will be even more impressive when the tower’s renovations are complete. Macklowe plans to install a canopy that was not part of Walker’s original design. The structure’s existing façade will also be reworked to improve its integration into the surrounding buildings, according to a release from Macklowe.
5. The Dorilton
The Big Apple, Gotham, The City that Never Sleeps—whichever name you give it, this incredible metropolis is full of stunning historic architecture. Located at the intersection of modern and traditional styles, the city’s buildings showcase the rich diversity that makes New York unique.
New York’s architecture has come a long way from the first stone settlers to the skyscrapers that adorn the City’s streets today. Each building reflects the times and the city’s history in a very different way, with some even influencing the future of the city.
In the late 1800s, New York was booming as a world-famous commercial and cultural hub, and it was clear that more space was needed for people to live in the City. That’s why it wasn’t a surprise that the architects of the time started to build upward, aiming to create a City that was as grand on the skyline as it was on the ground.
One of the best examples of these early apartment buildings is The Dorilton. Built between 1900 and 1902, this Upper West Side building features a limestone and brick exterior with sculpted figures resembling those that are found in front of French palaces. The complex is a National Historic Landmark and has been home to many famous residents, including Rosie O’Donnell, Al Pacino, and Conan O’Brien.
If you’re interested in learning more about the history of New York City, be sure to check out options like CITYPASS when planning your trip. This travel pass will allow you to see many of the most iconic historic landmarks that make up this extraordinary city. And be sure to stop by Trinity Church to see the tombstone of founding father Alexander Hamilton!
