70 Pine Street

70 Pine Street

70 Pine Street, once called the 60 Wall Tower, Cities Service Building, and American International Building, is a very tall building with 67 floors and a height of 952 feet (290 m). It stands in the Financial District of Lower Manhattan, New York City. Designed by the architects Clinton & Russell, Holton & George, it was built between 1930 and 1932 in the Art Deco style. When it was finished, it was the tallest building in Lower Manhattan and was one of the tallest buildings in the world.

The building has a special brick, limestone, and gneiss outside with interesting designs, including the triangular logo of the Cities Service Company and sun shapes. Inside, there is an Art Deco-style lobby and special elevators that go between floors. It even has a three-story top floor that was once planned as a home for the company's founder but became a public observatory.

Even though it was built during a tough time called the Great Depression, the building did well and made enough money to cover its costs by 1936. It was bought by the American International Group in 1976 and later by another company in 2009. In 2011, the building and its lobby were named official New York City landmarks. In 2016, it was changed from an office building to a place where people live.

Site

70 Pine Street is in the Financial District of Lower Manhattan in New York City, New York, U.S. The building is on land bounded by Pine Street to the south, Pearl Street to the east, and Cedar Street to the north. The land covers about 32,000 square feet (3,000 m²), with measurements of 247 feet (75 m) along Pine and Cedar Streets and 116 feet (35 m) along Pearl Street. The ground slopes down toward Pearl Street, creating an upper lobby from Pine Street and a lower lobby from Pearl Street. Nearby buildings include 56 Pine Street, the Down Town Association building, 90–94 Maiden Lane, 48 Wall Street, and 60 Wall Street.

Architecture

70 Pine Street is a tall building with 67 stories and a height of 952 feet. The roof is 850 feet above the ground, and the top floor is 800 feet up. The building looks Gothic and has a spire on top. It was designed by the firm Clinton & Russell, Holton & George in the Art Deco style.

When it was built, 70 Pine Street was the third-tallest building in the world. It came after the Empire State Building and the Chrysler Building in Midtown Manhattan. It was the tallest building in Lower Manhattan until 1969. The building has many steps back in shape on the outside. These were needed by city rules to let light reach the streets below. They also became a key part of the Art Deco style.

The lower parts of the building are covered with Indiana limestone and Minnesota granite. The upper parts are made of buff-colored brick. There are five entrances, four of which lead to the main lobby. The lobby is designed in Art Deco style with marble walls and bright colors. The building once had an observation deck on the top floors for visitors, but it closed during World War II. Now, the top floors have a fine-dining restaurant.

The building also had new features for its time. These included double-deck elevators and a system to bring in fresh air without noise or dust. These made the building work well and feel comfortable for many people.

History

Henry Latham Doherty became wealthy by leading many companies in the manufactured gas and electric utility sectors in the late 1800s and early 1900s. He formed the Cities Service Company in 1910, and his business grew a lot over the next years. His main offices were at 60 Wall Street from 1906.

Doherty bought land in Lower Manhattan to build a new, tall building. Architects Clinton & Russell designed it in the Art Deco style. Construction began in 1930 and took two years. The building was finished in 1932 and was one of the tallest in the world at that time.

Originally called the Cities Service Building, it later became known as 70 Pine Street. Over the years, it had many uses, from offices to homes. Today, it is a mix of apartments, shops, and restaurants.

Impact

The building won an award in 1932 for being one of the best buildings in the Financial District that year. Famous photographer Weegee took many photos of the people and services inside. The skyscraper became a symbol of the lively Jazz Age and appeared in famous photos of Lower Manhattan.

Later, people praised its beautiful design. In 2011, the building was named an important landmark in New York City for its special Art Deco style and its role in the city's skyline.