American Surety Building
| American Surety Building | |
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| Exterior view | |
| Basic data | |
| Place: | New York City , United States |
| Construction time : | 1894-1896 |
| Status : | Built |
| Architectural style : | Neoclassicism |
| Architect : | Bruce Prince |
| Technical specifications | |
| Height : | 103 m |
| Floors : | 26th |
| Elevators : | 7th |
The American Surety Building , also known as Tokyo Bank Building or 100 Broadway , is a 26-story skyscraper in Manhattan , New York City . Located at 100 Broadway , it is one of the most influential skyscrapers in Manhattan. In 1997 it was listed by the Landmarks Preservation Commission .
description
The building is erected on a trapezoidal plot, with a three-story base, a twelve-story slender body, and a six-story top. The fourth and 15th floors are individually decorated. The base has an elegant entrance area with Ionic columns and decorative figures. The building is considered by experts as a milestone in the evolution of skyscraper construction in Manhattan. It was built from 1894 to 1896 according to the plans of the renowned architect Bruce Prince . It was also his first and most important as well as most innovative building, which was to set significant accents in terms of design and building material.
history
Rise of the finance and insurance district
When New York became the most important financial city in the United States in the mid-19th century, most banks and insurance companies moved further north from Wall Street to new larger buildings on Broad Street or Broadway . These buildings were commonly referred to as palaces because of their Renaissance- inspired and richly decorated construction and their contemplative height of just 20 meters. The first building to break this tradition was the Equitable Building, built in 1870, it is one of the first skyscrapers in the world. The building burned down in 1912, and with a height of over 40 meters it was the record holder when it was built. It also created standards with passenger elevators and fireproof walls.
By 1875, New York had added two more skyscrapers, the New York Tribune Building and the Western Union Telegraph Building , each over 70 meters high, a sensation at the time. After the financial crisis of 1873 was overcome, many smaller buildings were replaced by taller skyscrapers equipped with elevators.
The construction of the American Surety Company Building
Most of these high-rise buildings were commissioned by large banks and insurance companies; their height and design were intended to fulfill the functional use of warehouse and office space, but also to represent the size and power of the company to the outside world.
In February 1894, the American Surety Company planned to relocate their headquarters. While previously based in the Guernsey Building at 160 Broadway, they announced that they had acquired the former Continental Life Insurance Company's property on the corner of Broadway and Pine Street. The New York Times commented in advance that the Surety Building would overshadow its surroundings. Above all, a rivalry was established here with the neighboring Manhattan Life Building , which was demolished in 1965.
Expansion and boom
Between 1920 and 1922, the building was expanded by four units, four each on Broadway and four on Pine Street. Furthermore, two penthouse floors were added. These extensions were directed and designed by the New York architect Herman Lee Meader , who wanted to keep the extensions as close to the original as possible.
With the move into the new building, the American Surety Company also grew. In 1898 it employed 1,200 insurance agents and management was directed directly from its headquarters on Broadway. In 1963 the company became the TransAmerica Insurance Company of California.
Web links
- Monument protection report 1997 (PDF; 6.0 MB)
Individual evidence
- ↑ Gale Harris Research Department (PDF; 6.0 MB)
- ↑ New York Times January 28, 1998 Streetscapes / The American Surety Building; An 1890's Skyscraper May Become a Landmark
- ↑ a b Gale Harris Research Department (PDF; 6.0 MB)
Coordinates: 40 ° 42 ′ 28.4 " N , 74 ° 0 ′ 40.8" W.