233 Broadway

In the Tribeca District of Manhattan Island, this remarkable 60-story building, reaching a height of 792 feet (241 m), was the tallest in the world from 1913 to 1930 before being surpassed by the Chrysler Building. It is not its physical height that gives it its appeal, but rather its interior and exterior architecture, at human height, that deserves our attention.

The businessman, Mr. Frank Woolworth, was strategic on several points. The one who made his fortune in the low-cost 5-10 cent (nickel and dime) stores, the ancestor of the dollar store, opted for sales volume to ensure profitability. He chose to build his firm’s headquarters on Broadway near City Hall but also near Wall Street to show his presence on the market. He chose an architecture that mixes banking wealth, with commercial space organization and a religious style.

The building includes several details reflecting the image of the entrepreneur, its architect and the company.

The exterior is embellished with structural additions including grotesque and lace-shaped friezes on three levels which give it a rich, Victorian character and which run along the façade above the door, giving it a fortress look.

If you notice its exterior, wait until you see its interior. The vaulted ceilings decorated with mosaics, paintings and caricatured sculptures on 3 floors are reminiscent of those of Gothic churches. The frescoes on the mezzanine level are decorated to represent commerce on one side and a tribute to labor on the other. The architectural ensemble, the origin of the building and the style have earned it the title of Cathedral of Commerce and is considered one of the most beautiful halls in New York City.

During the inauguration from the White House, President Wilson activated the illumination of the new construction.

Today, the first 28 floors are still corporate offices while the other floors have been converted into luxury condos.

There was a time when it was possible to take guided tours of the building, but now even the exceptional lobby is no longer open to the public. If you want to get an idea, watch this video.

The Woolworth Building

You can see nearby the City Hall & Park.

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