American Radiator Building facts for kids
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American Radiator Building
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The American Radiator Building
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| Location | 40 West 40th Street Manhattan, New York City |
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| Built | 1924 |
| Architect | Raymond Hood and André Fouilhoux |
| Architectural style | Gothic Art Deco |
| NRHP reference No. | 80002663 |
Quick facts for kids Significant dates |
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| Added to NRHP | May 7, 1980 |
The American Radiator Building is a tall, 23-story building in New York City. It's also called the American Standard Building. It stands at 40 West 40th Street in Midtown Manhattan.
Two architects, John Howells and Raymond Hood, designed it. It was built in 1924 for the American Radiator Company. This company later became American Standard. The building is an important landmark. It is listed on the National Register of Historic Places.
Building's Unique Look
The American Radiator Building has a very special design. Its shape was inspired by a famous design for the Tribune Tower. The architects, Howells and Hood, mixed old-style Gothic art with modern Art Deco styles.
They used black bricks for the main part of the building. This black color was meant to look like coal. It also made the building seem strong and solid. Other parts of the building were covered in gold bricks. These gold parts were meant to look like fire. The entrance has beautiful marble and shiny black mirrors.
The building also has amazing decorations and sculptures. These were made by an artist named Rene Paul Chambellan. He often worked with Howells and Hood.
The famous artist Georgia O'Keeffe even painted the building. Her painting, called Radiator Building – Night, New York, was made in 1927.
From Offices to Hotel
In 1988, the company that owned the building, American Standard, sold it. Later, in 1998, it was sold again for a lot of money.
In 2001, the American Radiator Building was changed into a hotel. It became The Bryant Park Hotel. This new hotel has 130 rooms and a theater in the basement. Because the building is a protected landmark, its outside look had to stay the same. Workers had to be very careful when fixing up the decorations. They were not allowed to make big changes, like adding larger windows for the hotel rooms.
Images for kids
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Seen at center from Bryant Park
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Crown illuminated at night
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Early photo of the elevator lobby
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40th Street facade, with the original building at left and the annex at right
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The pinnacle undergoing restoration in 2020
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The annex, which contains Guttman Community College
See also
In Spanish: American Radiator Building para niños
