Financial District in Manhattan in New York County, New York — The American Northeast (Mid-Atlantic)
28 Liberty
28 Liberty (formerly 1 Chase Manhattan Plaza), Skidmore, Owings & Merrill, architects, 1956-60
— Exploring Lower Manhattan —
Back in the 1950s, while other banks were deserting Downtown for Midtown, Chase Manhattan Bank commissioned this majestic, 60-story, steel-and-glass tower-in-a-plaza. The new skyscraper, rising on a superblock assembled from tiny parcels of land defined by ancient winding Dutch streets, launched a new round of Downtown development. Vice Chairman David Rockefeller, who encouraged the choice of a modern design, oversaw its construction. Chinese investment group Fosun International bought the property in 2013 and renamed it 28 Liberty. Fosun will modernize 28 Liberty and transform it into a true mixed-use property with retail stores at and below grade, an events and restaurant venue on the top floor and an activated plaza with events for office workers and the community.
Rising from the plaza is Jean Dubuffet’s sculpture “Group of Four Trees” – 25 tons of fiberglass, aluminum and steel fabricated outside Paris and shipped to New York in 19 pieces. At four stories high, it is among the tallest sculptures in New York. Trees arrived in 1972 as Rockefeller’s gift “for the enjoyment of the Downtown community,” marking his 25th anniversary on Wall Street. Dubuffet’s work complements Isamu Noguchi’s sunken sculpture garden – 60 feet across with basalt rocks imported from Japan’s Uji River.
Topics. This historical marker is listed in these topic lists: Architecture • Industry & Commerce • Parks & Recreational Areas.
Location. 40° 42.486′ N, 74° 0.588′ W. Marker is in Manhattan, New York, in New York County. It is in the Financial District. Marker is on Nassau Street near Cedar Street, on the right when traveling north. Touch for map. Marker is in this post office area: New York NY 10005, United States of America. Touch for directions.
Other nearby markers. At least 8 other markers are within walking distance of this marker. Equitable Building (here, next to this marker); Federal Reserve Bank of New York (within shouting distance of this marker); a different marker also named Federal Reserve Bank of New York (within shouting distance of this marker); Chamber of Commerce / Liberty Tower (within shouting distance of this marker); The Liberty Tower (within shouting distance of this marker); November 5, 1953 (about 400 feet away, measured in a direct line); October 26, 1953 (about 400 feet away); 33 Liberty Street (about 400 feet away). Touch for a list and map of all markers in Manhattan.
Regarding 28 Liberty. The building is listed in the "AIA (American Institute of Architects) Guide to New York City, Fifth Edition". The final scenes from the film "Working Girl" were shot here.
Credits. This page was last revised on January 31, 2023. It was originally submitted on January 10, 2019, by Larry Gertner of New York, New York. This page has been viewed 308 times since then and 33 times this year. Photos: 1, 2, 3, 4, 5, 6. submitted on January 10, 2019, by Larry Gertner of New York, New York. 7. submitted on January 15, 2019, by Larry Gertner of New York, New York. 8, 9, 10. submitted on January 17, 2019, by Larry Gertner of New York, New York. 11, 12, 13. submitted on January 19, 2019, by Larry Gertner of New York, New York. • Bill Pfingsten was the editor who published this page.
Editor’s want-list for this marker. A wide view photo of the marker and the surrounding area together in context. • Can you help?