Singer Building facts for kids
Quick facts for kids Singer Building |
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| Record height | |
| Tallest in the world from 1908 to 1909 | |
| Preceded by | Philadelphia City Hall |
| Surpassed by | Metropolitan Life Insurance Company Tower |
| General information | |
| Status | Demolished |
| Type | Commercial offices |
| Architectural style | Beaux-Arts |
| Location | 149 Broadway Manhattan, New York City |
| Coordinates | 40°42′35″N 74°00′39″W / 40.70972°N 74.01083°W |
| Construction started | 1897 |
| Completed | 1900 |
| Renovated | 1906–1908 |
| Demolished | 1968 |
| Height | |
| Tip | 674 ft (205 m) |
| Roof | 612 ft (187 m) |
| Top floor | 41 |
| Technical details | |
| Floor count | 41 (+1 below ground) |
| Lifts/elevators | 15 |
| Design and construction | |
| Architect | Ernest Flagg |
| Developer | Singer Manufacturing Company |
| Structural engineer | Boller & Hodge |
The Singer Building (also called the Singer Tower) was a very tall office building, known as an early skyscraper, in Manhattan, New York City. It was the main office, or headquarters, for the Singer Manufacturing Company. You could find it at the corner of Liberty Street and Broadway in the Financial District of Lower Manhattan. This area is in the southern part of Manhattan.
The Singer Company's leader, Frederick Gilbert Bourne, asked for the building to be built. An architect named Ernest Flagg designed it in several steps between 1897 and 1908. Flagg was a big supporter of the Beaux-Arts style, which was popular at the time.
The finished Singer Building had a wide base that was 14 stories tall. On top of a small part of this base, a tower rose another 27 stories. The outside of the building was made of brick, stone, and a special type of clay called terracotta. The very top of the tower had a round dome with a small lantern structure on it. The tower's deep foundation went all the way down to the solid rock underground. The building was built with a strong steel frame, like a skeleton. It also had a big main entrance area, 16 elevators, and a place where people could go to look out over the city.
Contents
Building History and Design
How the Singer Building Grew
The first part of the Singer Building, which was 10 stories tall, was built between 1897 and 1898. Next to it, the 14-story Bourne Building was added from 1898 to 1899. Later, between 1906 and 1908, the famous Singer Tower was built. This tower was part of a big expansion that made both original buildings into the wide base for the new, taller Singer Building.
A World Record Holder
When the Singer Tower was finished in 1908, it became the tallest building in the world. Its roof reached about 612 feet (186 meters) high. It held this record for a short time, from 1908 to 1909.
Why It Was Taken Down
Sadly, the Singer Building and another nearby building, the City Investing Building, were torn down in 1968. They were removed to make space for a new building called One Liberty Plaza. Many people thought the Singer Building was an important symbol of the city. At the time it was destroyed, the Singer Building was the tallest building ever to be taken down on purpose.
Images for kids
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The Singer Building seen from Broadway, looking north from the Equitable Building, September 1967
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The original Singer Building formed part of the base of the completed building. September 1967
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Singer Building in 1910
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Typical floor plan in the tower section
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The interior view of the lobby mezzanine, September 1967. By this time, demolition had already commenced; masonry debris can be seen on the floor in this photo.
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Aerial view of Lower Manhattan in 1919 looking east; the Singer Tower is at center right
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Singer Building with the Hudson Terminal in 1909
See also
In Spanish: Singer Building para niños
