I like New York City because of its skyline. Sometimes, I want to climb these buildings, especially when I have enough time to spare in the state.
Skyscrapers were built close to established centers of commerce where there was easy access to transportation and a good distance away from manufacturing districts and trenches.
Why does New York City have so many skyscrapers? The little land and its high price made it easier for real estate developers to build these skyscrapers.
This is the city’s center of business, entertainment, and financial activities, packed in 10 square miles in the lower half of Manhattan island just between the East River and Hudson.
Manhattan has the shape of a tongue and is made of solid granite. New York has the highest number of skyscrapers worldwide, as developers were prompted to bound taller towers at the end of the 19th century due to the limited space available.
Why does New York City have so many skyscrapers?
The city’s location off the Atlantic coast left it with little space to build enough buildings, and the land’s value was ridiculously high, resulting in the construction of tall buildings.
In the 20th century, about eight skyscrapers were already built in New York, which held the title “world’s tallest building”.
Due to its already dominating number of skyscrapers, the city continued to increase with even more different and unique architectural styles for these buildings.
In New York, skyscrapers are grouped into two clusters, namely:
The lower cluster:
This group is located at the southern tip of the island and overlooks Upper New York Bay towards the Atlantic Ocean. It makes up the New York act line which people on a ship to America can see.
Some buildings in this group include:
- The Woolworth Building which is 792 feet tall and
- The Bank of Manhattan which is 900 feet tall.
The upper cluster:
This group is halfway up to the island and is regarded as the midtown section. From this cluster, you can see the enormous Empire State Building which is 1,472 feet tall with 102 storeys. Close to it, you’ll find the Chrysler building which is 1,046 feet tall.
Some of the most interesting skyscrapers in New York City are:
40 Wall Street:
40 Wall Street was constructed in 1929 as the headquarters of the Bank of Manhattan. At that time, it was the tallest building in the world.
However, this did not go as planned as the Chrysler building was being constructed around this time and was taller than it taking the title instead.
70 Pine Street:
This 67-storey Art Deco structure is remarkably the tallest building in lower Manhattan. This building was completed just before the Great Depression during the skyscraper frenzy in New York.
American Radiator Building:
Built in 1924 as an office tower for the American Radiator Company, this is a striking black building that has a gilded crown and it is one of the best by Raymond Hood. This building has 22 storeys and is located at Bryant Park.
The building was opened again as Bryant Park Hotel in 2001.
Chanin Building:
Thanks to the construction of the Grand Central Terminal, there was a significant increase in the rate of economic activities in the area, making it a good investment for tall skyscrapers.
Named after its developer, Irwin S. Chanin, the Chanin Building was one of the skyscrapers built in 1929.
Chrysler Building:
This elegant spore was modeled after a radiator grille and was made to be taller than the Bank of Manhattan which earned it the title “World’s tallest building” during that time. In the process, the Chrysler Building also became the most beloved skyscraper in New York.
Citigroup Center:
The Citigroup Center remains one of the most successful modern skyscrapers in New York, and it opens up space for the following places:
- A public plaza
- A subway station
- Peter’s Church
From the flat rooftop lines of contemporary buildings, the angled roof line of this tower was used as a diversion.
Daily News Building:
This 37 storey building has an ornamented top, making it the first of its kind. The architecture of this building was made to be quite different from the gothic designs Raymond Hood used in other skyscrapers such as the Tribune tower in Chicago and the American Radiator Building.
Empire State Building:
The Empire State Building is the most renowned skyscraper in the world and has the title of the world’s tallest building for 41 years.
The impressive size of this building made it one of the popular tourist attractions drawing people from all over the world. It was completed in 1931 and a year after its construction, it completely filled the imagination of people.
This skyscraper remains one of the most visited skyscrapers today and from here, you can get an amazing view of New York’s skyline.
Equitable Building:
This 39 storey Building was completed in 1915 and it caused a lot of chaos as the people in the area complained bitterly about not getting any sunlight.
Due to this, new zoning regulations were set into place a year later and this caused setbacks in the construction of skyscrapers during the 1920s and early 30s
Flatiron Building:
Fuller Building was nicknamed Flatiron building by the locals because of its triangular shape. This building was completed in 1902 and has 21 storeys.
Although it never got the record of being the tallest building in New York, it was one of the most photographed buildings in New York.
GE Building:
This large complex is the centrepiece of Rockefeller Center and was constructed Sikh the Great Depression as Radio city. It still remains one of the tallest buildings in New York.
The roof terrace of this 70 storey Art Deco was recently reopened and gave its visitors some of the best midtown and Central Park views.
Hearst Tower:
The Hearst Tower was initially a six-story base built as the headquarters of William Hearst’s publishing empire in 1928. However, 12 storeys were planned, but they were never constructed. A postmodern glass tower was built on top of the Art Deco base 78 years later.
Lever House:
Although this building may just resemble an ordinary glass building, the lever house was a revolutionary skyscraper. It was opened in 1952 and was the first galas tower among buildings made of brick and limestone.
The lever house was used as a blueprint for internationalist skyscrapers in the following years.
Lipstick Building:
Philip Johnson’s Lipstick building is unlike any other and is quite different compared to his other famous buildings, like the former AT&T Building. It is oval-shaped and does not have any ornaments. Its name comes from the fact that it resembles gigantic lipstick.
You’ll notice how this building stands out from all the rectangular buildings around it
Metlife Building (formerly PanAm):
In 1929, the enormous size of this building blocked the view of the Helmsley building on Park Avenue, and there was a public outcry.
The Metlife Building is among the list of ugliest buildings in New York. It is most hated for its location, and its lack of aesthetics is a bonus.
Frequently Asked Questions
How many skyscrapers does New York City have?
In New York City, there are about 302 skyscrapers.
Who owns the skyscrapers in New York?
Skyscrapers are usually owned by:
- Real estate investment trusts
- Insurance companies
- Hedge funds
- Pension funds and so on
Does anyone live in the Empire State building?
There are no residences or apartments in the Empire State Building. However, it has a suite of trim available.