The Woolworth building
It was designed in 1913 by architect Cass Gibert. It is 241 meters high and the last floors were built with steps back to let the sun shine in. Nowadays it is still considered the most beautiful "commercial cathedral".
In 1879, Franck W. Woolworth started a new type of trade, where clients could see and touch the goods and where the unique price was five cents. In this way Woolworth revolutionized the universe of distribution and soon was at the head of a big chain of department stores. He had this neo-gothic building built in 1913. It was the highest in the world till 1930. It was considered a model for the other skyscrapers. Cass Gilbert showed all his sense of humor by adorning the building with gargoyles reprensenting bats and other animals. The roof looks like a pyramid with pinnacles and four turtle-doves. Inside, we can see a lot of painted decorations and a high ceiling in glass mosaic. In the hall, Gilbert made caricatures of Franck W. Woolworth counting his fortune iin small coins.
Nowadays, the Woolworth firm is still as solid as the skycrapers which bears its name.
Situated behind the famous hotel, the Waldorf Astoria, the General Electric Building is a work of art in its own right and a favorite part of the city skyline. It is an Art Deco gem from its chrome and marble lobby to its spiky "radio waves" crown. In 1931 architects Cross & Cross were commissioned to design this skyscraper, that would be in keeping with it neighbor, St Bartholomew's Church. The colors were chosen to blend and contrast with it.
The Waldorf Astoria hotel is an Art Deco classic which covers an entire city block; it was designed by Shultze and Weaver in 1931. The hotel has hosted numerous celebrities, including every US president since 1931. The pian o in the cocktail lounge belonged to Cole Porter, the famous composer of the musical "Anything goes".