Potter Building, Office building in Financial District, Manhattan, US.
The Potter Building at 145 Nassau Street is an eleven-story structure with a brick and terracotta facade designed in Queen Anne style. Its C-shaped floor plan includes a central light courtyard that brings illumination to the interior spaces.
The structure was built in 1886 from designs by architect Norris Garshom Starkweather and replaced the New York World headquarters destroyed by fire in 1882. This new building helped restore the Financial District after that major loss.
The building displays typical features of late 1800s commercial architecture with its striking brick and terracotta facade that shapes the street today. These design choices reflect how businesses once wanted to show their importance through impressive structures.
The building sits near New York City Hall and is easily accessible by public transportation. Keep in mind that it now houses primarily residential units after a major conversion from office spaces in the early 1980s.
The building pioneered advanced fireproofing methods using rolled iron beams, cast iron columns, and a special floor plan design for safety. These innovative techniques made it a benchmark for safer tall structures during an era when fire was a constant threat.
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