The Woolworth Building was conceived as a 'Cathedral of
Commerce' by Frank Woolworth.
Started in 1910, it was completed in 1913 at a cost of 13.5 million
dollars. It could not be built
today owing to the cost of duplicating its magnificent detail.
Designed by Cass Gilbert, at sixty
stories it was the tallest building in the world until the completion
of the 40 Wall Street and
Chrysler buildings in 1927. The building has the first gearless
elevators ever made, Otis, of
course. The original elevator motors and cabs are still there to be
seen and ridden in. The lobby
is three stories high. Cross shaped with a vaulted gold leafed
ceiling, the lobby is surrounded
by gargoyles which, upon close examination, turn out to be the board
members of the Woolworth
Company of that time. Included is a gargoyle of Frank Woolworth,
counting dimes.
Woolworth paid the entire cost of the buildingout his own
pocket, cash on the barrelhead!
The Woolworth Building
Please turn monitor on right side for proper viewing.
New York City
