Have you ever wondered what happens inside some of New York City’s most famous landmarks? It isn’t all Sleepless in Seattle-style reunions, as you’ll find most structures have people simply going about their daily routine. Can you imagine sitting in your office on the 40th floor of a New York skyscraper? Check out who occupies some of the iconic structures you know so well.
Flatiron Building
When Chicago architect Daniel Burnham designed the Fuller Building, it is unlikely that he knew how it would continue to reinvent itself. 2022 marks the 120th anniversary of the opening of the Flatiron Building, a stately structure that continues to be synonymous with the skyline of New York City. At first, the basement was a tavern and then a speakeasy before becoming less inviting maintenance offices. While being home to publishing houses for many decades, the Flatiron Building is primarily empty at present, with plans for extensive upgrades and renovations to make it into a hotel.
Woolworth Building
In a bygone era, Frank Woolworth paid for the construction of the Woolworth Building entirely in cash. The $13.5 million-dollar project expenses, equivalent to over $338 million today, purchased the property and commissioned the structure all in hard currency. That is a story challenging to fathom happening today. In the race for building the tallest building, the Woolworth Building took the top spot from 1913 to 1930. The top 30 floors are now opulent condominiums, whereas the rest is used as office space.
Chrysler Building
Anyone showcasing American art deco architecture would surely give the Chrysler Building as the prime example. Construction started in 1928 after the building was designed by Walter Chrysler and famous art deco architect William Van Alen. For a mere 11 months, it claimed the top spot as the world’s tallest building before the Empire State Building surpassed it. Fast forward to today, and this National Historic Landmark is owned by Tishman Speyer and Abu Dhabi Investment Council and is home to various property and investment firms.
Empire State Building
When construction started on the Empire State Building in 1930, it is unlikely that the now infamous steelworkers would have believed how cemented the image would be in popular culture or that it would be visited by royalty, presidents, and famous entertainers. In fact, the Empire State Building was even named as America’s Favorite Architecture in a poll from the American Institute of Architects. It is also considered the most famous office building globally and boasts tenants as diverse as LinkedIn, Agoda, Shutterstock, Citizen Watch Company, and World Monument Fund.
Rockefeller Plaza
The Rockefeller Plaza epitomizes the spirit of Christmas for the city. Skating, snow, colossal Christmas trees, and strings of lights have meant this iconic building has featured in almost every movie set in New York City during the holidays. While NBCUniversal is the primary tenant at 30 Rock, it also has other distinguished tenants, including Deloitte, Meriwether Capital, and the infamous Rainbow Room on the 65th floor.
Rather than being stuck in the past, famous historical buildings in New York City see a new lease of life with bustling start-ups coexisting with established businesses. Los Angeles business owners seeking prestigious office space in the Big Apple can contact experts like Jeff Tabor Group to help them find an address worthy of the history books.