Bank of the Metropolis Building

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Bank of the Metropolis Building

The Bank of the Metropolis Building is a 16-story skyscraper located at 31 Union Square in Manhattan , New York City . It was planned and built from 1901 to 1903 by the architect Bruce Price. Initially erected as the headquarters of the Bank of Metropolis, founded in 1871 , the building changed hands in 1918. In 1975 there was a fundamental renovation and conversion to condominiums.

The building was listed by the Landmarks Preservation Commission in 1988 and was listed on the National Register of Historic Places in 2003. The Decker Building , which was also placed under monument protection in 1988, is directly adjacent to the building . The Hartford Building is also in the immediate vicinity .

history

The Bank of Metropolis was founded in 1871 by nouveau riche merchants. She opened her headquarters at 31 Union Square until she later moved further south. In the 19th century, many low-rise buildings on Union Square were replaced by larger office buildings. Many buildings were built in Queen Anne style on Union Square and the Bank of the Metropolis was also planning a new headquarters. The Decker Building of the Decker Brothers Piano Company opened in 1881 and was an incentive for the bank to build a taller building next door.

Before the bank building was built, the famous Brentano’s Bookstore was located at 31 Union Square . In colloquial terms, the neighboring Decker Building has therefore always been described as "next to Brentano's". The bank acquired the property and commissioned the architect Bruce Prince to build the 16-story skyscraper in 1902.

Construction began in 1901 under the responsibility of the George A. Fuller Company , which was best known for its own headquarters, the Flatiron Building (or Fuller Building). The total cost of construction was $ 500,000. The narrow structure of the building was particularly striking. At 62.48 meters, it was one of the highest buildings in the area at the time.

Web links

Commons : Bank of the Metropolis Building  - Album with pictures, videos and audio files

Individual evidence

  1. ↑ Old photograph of the corner of 16th Street with the bookstore and the adjoining Decker Building

Coordinates: 40 ° 44 ′ 11.9 "  N , 73 ° 59 ′ 26.8"  W.