The neo-gothic Woolworth building was commissioned by the self-made millionaire Frank W Woolworth to be the headquarters of his economic empire, built upon the success of his hundreds of discount stores where everything cost just 5 ot 10 cents.
Such was Woolworth's financial success that he was able to commission architect Cass Gilbert to build him the tallest building in Manhattan, at a cost of $13.5 million, which Woolworth was able to pay in cash.
The building was constructed between 1910 - 1913, and when opened by president Woodrow Wilson in May 1913 was the world's tallest building, standing at 792 feet (241 m). A record the building held until the construction of the Chrysler Building in 1930.
At the opening ceremony the Reverend S. Parkes Cadman, referred to the building as the 'Cathedral of Commerce,' and considering the building's ecclisastical inspired architecture, it is easy to figure why.
The building has a limestone-colored, glazed terra-cotta panel facade, and its tower features gothic pinnacles and canopies, and is adorned with gargoyles of bats. Gilbert designed the building with wide corner columns (piers) unobstructed by ledges which pull the eyes attention upwards.
The building's highly ornate lobby features a marble interior, with colourful byzantentine mosiacs and frescos on its vaulted ceiling. Unfortunately, in an unwelcoming move by the buildings current owners, the lobby has been closed to the public thus denying the opportunity to admire architect Cass Gilbert's remarkable achievement.
Address
233 Broadway, between Park Plaza and Barclay Street, Downtown NY
How to Get There
Subway: 2, 3 Park Place
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