Tribeca in Manhattan in New York County, New York — The American Northeast (Mid-Atlantic)
Woolworth Building
233 Broadway, Cass Gilbert, architect, 1910-13
— Exploring Lower Manhattan —
Photographed By Devry Becker Jones (CC0), October 1, 2021
One of America's earliest and greatest romantic skyscrapers, rising 60 stories above City Hall Park, the Woolworth Building held the coveted title of world's tallest building until losing it in 1929 to the Chrysler Building. The Gothic-inspired, terra-cotta-clad skyscraper was built — and paid for in cash — by the inventor of that great American Institution, the five-and-dime store. When asked why he did it, Frank Woolworth said he wanted the building to advertise his stores — though there's a story about competition with the Metropolitan Life Insurance Company, which refused Woolworth a mortgage and then watched its own famous tower become the world's second tallest building.
Wander into what was once called the "Cathedral of Commerce," and you will find yourself in a vaulted arcade resplendent in marble walls, bronze Gothic filigree and unrivaled mosaics. Mimicking the nave and transept plan of church architecture, Woolworth's lobby rises to a gleaming mosaic ceiling. Voluptuous Gothic detail ranges from elaborately finished mailboxes to austere altarpieces of Labor and Commerce on the mezzanines. Sculpted caricatures by Tom Johnson show architect Cass Gilbert holding a model of the building, Woolworth paying for the building with his nickels and dimes, the builder, the steel engineer and even Edward J. Hogan, the rental agent — but only because he protested in a letter to Gilbert that he was being left out.
[Captions:]
"What shall I say of a city that builds the most beautiful cathedral in the world and calls it an office building?"
— British Prime Minister Arthur Balfour
Above: Set further back in the lobby is the Marble Hall, whose grand staircase rises to the former entrance of the Irving Trust Company. Secular rather than ecclesiastical in flavor, reminiscent of a flat-roofed medieval guild hall, it rises to a sumptuous glass ceiling inscribed with the names of history's great commercial cities.
Above: Gargoyles of F.W. Woolworth (top) and Cass Gilbert (bottom).
Also in the Neighborhood
Broadway-Chambers Building A few block north at 277 Broadway, Cass Gilbert's first New York skyscraper — completed in 1900 — sports terra-cotta ornament inspired by ancient Roman designs.
United States Courthouse
In his last work (1934-36), at 40 Centre Street in the court district, Gilbert wrapped the classical colonnade of a typical federal courthouse around a 38-story, 590-foot-tall New York skyscraper.
Erected by Alliance for Downtown New York, Inc.
Topics. This historical marker is listed in
Photographed By Devry Becker Jones (CC0), October 1, 2021
Location. Marker is missing. It was located near 40° 42.737′ N, 74° 0.482′ W. Marker was in Manhattan, New York, in New York County. It was in Tribeca. Marker was on Broadway just south of Park Place, on the right when traveling south. Touch for map. Marker was at or near this postal address: 233 Broadway, New York NY 10279, United States of America. Touch for directions.
Other nearby markers. At least 8 other markers are within walking distance of this location. October 30, 2000 (here, next to this marker); February 5, 2008 (here, next to this marker); October 29, 1999 (a few steps from this marker); February 7, 2012 (a few steps from this marker); November 16, 1998 (a few steps from this marker); November 6, 2009 (a few steps from this marker); July 10, 2015 (a few steps from this marker); a different marker also named Woolworth Building (within shouting distance of this marker). Touch for a list and map of all markers in Manhattan.
Related marker. Click here for another marker that is related to this marker. This marker has replaced the linked marker.
Credits. This page was last revised on August 7, 2023. It was originally submitted on October 3, 2021, by Devry Becker Jones of Washington, District of Columbia. This page has been viewed 144 times since then and 13 times this year. Last updated on October 3, 2021, by Bradley Owen of Morgantown, West Virginia. Photos: 1, 2. submitted on October 3, 2021, by Devry Becker Jones of Washington, District of Columbia.