Building a Skyscraper: The Story of the Woolworth Building's Construction in Photos

The Woolworth Building is a skyscraper located in New York City. Construction began in 1910 and was completed in 1913. The building was designed by the architect Cass Gilbert and was the tallest building in the world at the time of its completion, standing at 792 feet (241 meters) tall.

The building was constructed using a steel frame and was clad in terra cotta and brick. The steel frame allowed for the building to reach its great height while also providing a strong and durable structure. The use of terra cotta and brick as cladding materials helped to give the building a distinct appearance, with the terra cotta used for the upper floors and the brick for the lower floors.

The building was designed with a number of ornate features, including a gilded pyramid-shaped pinnacle at the top, a series of terracotta spandrels and medallions, and a grand entrance with a gilded terra cotta arch. The lobby of the building was also designed to be grand and ornate, featuring marble floors and walls, gilded plasterwork, and a vaulted ceiling.

The construction of the Woolworth Building was a major achievement at the time, and it was widely celebrated as a symbol of the city’s progress and power. The building was also a major financial success for its developer, Frank Woolworth, who financed the construction with his own fortune.

The Woolworth Building was designated as a National Historic Landmark in 1966, it also holds an iconic status in the architectural world and is still an active office building in New York City. The Woolworth Building features a number of ornate decorative elements, including a gilded pyramid-shaped pinnacle at the top, which is a visible from a distance. The building also features a series of terracotta spandrels and medallions, which are intricately designed. The grand entrance of the Woolworth Building features a gilded terra cotta arch that adds to the building’s elegance. The lobby of the Woolworth Building is grand and ornate, with marble floors and walls, gilded plasterwork, and a vaulted ceiling. Additionally, the Woolworth Building features a number of Art Nouveau designs on the elevators, staircases and other parts of the building, which adds to the building’s intricate details. Overall, the Woolworth Building is adorned with many intricate and elegant designs that make it stand out and have made it an iconic building in New York City.

#1 The ornate lobby of the Woolworth Building

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#2 A view of the Woolworth Building under construction. Upon completion in 1913, the Woolworth building became the tallest building in the world. July 1, 1913, New York City

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#3 Woolworth Building Partially Constructed

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#4 Tower construction of the Woolworth Building on Broadway

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#5 Woolworth Building, New York City, 1913

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#6 Construction site, the Woolworth Building on Broadway in Manhattan.

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#7 The Woolworth Building, designed by Cass Gilbert, under construction, 4th March 1912. The 792ft construction remained the city’s tallest building until 1930.

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#8 Woolworth Building Construction. Flag showing completion of iron structure framework, 1912

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#9 The tower construction for the Woolworth Building (completed April 1913) on Broadway, New York, New York, 1912.

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#10 View of the Woolworth Building under construction, New York City. Designed by Cass Gilbert, it was completed in 1913, and claimed title as the world’s tallest building until 1930.

The Post Office building in the foreground was demolished in the 1930s to enlarge City Hall Park.

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#11 A view of the Woolworth Building under construction.

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#12 Police officers stand guard outside the Woolworth Building construction site, as seen from the northeast corner, as a trolley car speeds by, 1913.

Icicles hang from the eaves and a sign indicated that the building will be ready for occupancy by Fall 1912

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#13 The first floors of the Woolworth Building, 1911

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#14 Aerial view of the Woolworth Building construction site from the center of the Broadway side, 1911

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#15 Concrete is poured into one of the massive columns supporting the superstructure of the Woolworth Building in New York City, 10th August 1910. The view is from Broadway, looking southwest.

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#16 Aerial view of the Woolworth Building construction site from the southwest corner, 1910

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#17 A view of the Woolworth Building under construction, 1913

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#18 Construction procedes on the Woolworth building erected at 233 Broadway, 1913

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#19 Construction procedes on the Woolworth building erected at 233 Broadway, 1913

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#20 Construction of the Woolworth Building.

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#21 Woolworth Building Under Construction

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