"Flatiron Building". Skyscraper in Manhattan: address, description

In any large megalopolis there must be a building or a building that is his business card. For example, in Paris, such a landmark can be considered the Eiffel Tower, in Moscow - the Kremlin, and New York, of course, can be proud of its skyscrapers. One of them is the Flatiron Building in Manhattan, which is considered the most famous high-rise building, erected in the twentieth century.

Description of a skyscraper

The "iron building" in New York, despite its great height of 83 meters, and the angular look, looks pretty elegant. The skyscraper is decorated in the style of classical architecture of the last century - without unnecessary flashy decorations. Its walls and exterior design of the windows are simple. They are decorated with voluminous images and ornaments with a deep relief. The structure is decorated with various ornate elements creating a unique play of shadows and light.

The Flatiron Building (New York) became a true symbol of New America, as it was built on the threshold of future technical and scientific progress.

If you approach closely to an unusual building, you may get the impression that a huge ocean liner appears in front of a person . Cars passing through the structure create the illusion of a skyscraper movement.

In this high-rise building there are twenty-one tiers, and the most magnificent panorama opens from the corner offices and building rooms. From different angles the skyscraper has a completely different appearance. It can resemble a thin column, a ship, or be carried up by a swift wall.

Design and construction of a skyscraper

The area on which the structure is located, has changed a large number of its owners, before it appeared on this building. Unsettled, this land remained due to all kinds of disagreements between the owners and the state. As a result, it was bought by George Fuller, who was a shareholder of a well-known construction company. It was he who made the decision that this building should rise.

The idea of building such a triangular shape was due to the fact that ocean liners, symbolizing the technical progress of the last century, were popular in those days. The beautiful and proud appearance of these ships was a source of inspiration for the architect and engineer Daniel H. Burnham, who designed and built this skyscraper, reminiscent of a large ship of stone. He was hired by the director of the company Fuller Company for these works, as he was a true professional in his field.

A talented American was most able to use the smallest plot of land at the crossroads of two New York streets most efficiently. The decision of the architect to build there the "Flatiron Building" of an unusual triangular shape turned out to be winning in all plans.

The erection of the structure began in 1901 and two years later it was completed. When it was created, wireframe technology was used, so Flatiron Building is considered to be the first multi-storey building built on the basis of such metal beams. It was thanks to this design that it was built in such a record time. Now residents and visitors of New York can admire the magnificent architectural object, which is a real decoration of this city.

How did the name appear?

Many tourists coming for excursions to Manhattan are interested in what "Flatiron Building" can mean. It turns out that the name of this skyscraper in Russian sounds like an "iron" and given to this building is not accidental. At that time, all the buildings erected on the corner of three streets, received just such a nickname.

The first of these was a building in Philadelphia, and after it appeared in New York and was named "Flatiron Building." Despite all the years that have passed since its erection, the building has not lost its majesty and charm, therefore it still captures the views of tourists and is considered a real pride of the townspeople.

Further history

But right after the completion of the skyscraper construction, many engineers and builders expressed their opinion on the construction quite critically. For example, a journalist from a well-known architectural publishing house said that the construction of an uncleaned and erected without a single attempt to hide such unattractiveness. In addition, a large number of windows in the structure were criticized.

However, despite such negative statements, after a while the "house-iron" was completely occupied by tenants, and after six months of existence there was not a single free office in it. Thanks to this unusual form of the skyscraper, many rooms there were rented by famous artists and other representatives of the bohemian world. Therefore, the street Fifth Avenue has become one of the most respectable areas of the city.

Building application

For more than a century of history, the building was used only for offices. During the First World War, there were Russian military, responsible for the purchase of defensive equipment in the United States.

Skyscraper several times changed the owners. In 2010, half of the building was purchased by the investment company Sorgente Group in order to make it a comfortable luxury hotel. While this remains only in the plans, as the company will have to wait many more years, while the current tenants will run out of contracts for the lease of the premises.

Current status of the structure

Currently, the skyscraper in Manhattan places several headquarters of large American corporations, as well as many famous publishers.

In addition, the building is considered not only the office center and the most popular building of the city, but also one of the historical sights of the country, entered in the US National Register. Therefore, a large number of tourists come here to take pictures of Flatiron Building, which makes it one of the most photographed buildings in the world.

Also this skyscraper is often used in various television commercials and documentaries as the most easily recognizable symbol of New York.

Interesting Facts

There is one rather intriguing moment associated with this structure. At the beginning of the twentieth century, there were many women's clothing stores near it. All the ladies of that era, going to boutiques that were on the same stretch of street, where there is a skyscraper, tried to bypass it the other way. And it happened because in this place rose lush skirts ladies from behind the walls of the building, converging at an acute angle and creating an action, like a wind tunnel, causing air currents.

Of course, such a spectacle enjoyed great popularity among men and gathered crowds of onlookers constantly on duty near the skyscraper. Over time, this event even became part of pop culture, which resulted in the production of many postcards with women dressed near the "house-iron" with their dresses raised from the wind.

Where is?

Anyone who will be in New York and wants to see with his own eyes this masterpiece of architecture, will be able to find it at this address: Fifth Avenue, 175.

You can get there by metro (and get off at station 23 St) or by buses M1, M5, M3 or M2.

This building at first glance at it is guaranteed to make a great impression even on the most experienced tourist.