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Times Square Building (Rochester) facts for kids

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Times Square Building
Times Square Building.jpg
Detail of building showing "The Wings of Progress"
General information
Status Complete
Type Office
Citizens Bank
Architectural style Art Deco
Location 45 Exchange Boulevard
Rochester, NY, USA
Coordinates 43°09′17″N 77°36′45″W / 43.15465°N 77.61253°W / 43.15465; -77.61253
Opening 1930
Height
Antenna spire 260 feet (79 m)
Technical details
Floor count 14
Design and construction
Architect Voorhees, Gmelin and Walker

The Times Square Building is a tall and famous building in Rochester, New York, United States. It was designed in a cool style called Art Deco by an architect named Ralph Thomas Walker. This building is one of the tallest in Rochester, standing at 260 feet (about 79 meters) with 14 floors.

The Times Square Building: A Rochester Landmark

This building used to be called the Genesee Valley Trust Building. It has a smooth, modern design. On top, it features four huge aluminum "wings." These wings are 42 feet (about 13 meters) tall. Each one weighs 12,000 pounds (about 5,443 kilograms)! They are known as the "Wings of Progress." These wings are a very special part of the Rochester skyline.

Amazing Art Deco Style

The inside of the building is also very interesting. It uses a special art style called Trompe-l'œil. This means the art looks like it's popping out in 3D, even though it's flat. The decorations inside show pictures of wheat. This is a nod to Rochester's nickname, "the flour city." Rochester was once famous for its flour mills.

When the building first opened, it had a large painting inside. This painting was made by an artist named Carl William Peters. It was a special piece of art from the Great Depression era. Sadly, this painting was later removed.

A Building with History

The building's first stone was placed on a very important day. This was October 29, 1929. This day is known as "Black Tuesday." It was the day of the big stock market crash of 1929. This event marked the start of the Great Depression. So, the building has a unique connection to a major moment in history.

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Times Square Building (Rochester) Facts for Kids. Kiddle Encyclopedia.