120 Wall Street, Art Deco skyscraper in Financial District, Manhattan, US
120 Wall Street is a 34-story Art Deco office building in Manhattan's Financial District, rising to about 400 feet (122 m). The facade features geometric patterns and vertical lines, with a base made of red granite and limestone.
The building was completed in 1930 from designs by architect Ely Jacques Kahn, at a time when Manhattan's skyline was changing fast due to a surge in skyscraper construction. Kahn was one of the most sought-after designers of commercial towers in New York during that period.
The stone carvings and decorative metalwork on the facade show how office buildings in the Financial District were designed to make an impression in the early decades of the 20th century. These handcrafted details reflect the care that went into presenting a commercial address to the public.
The building is close to several subway stations, bus stops, and a ferry terminal, making it easy to reach from different parts of the city. Visitors exploring the Financial District on foot will find it a natural stop along the streets near the waterfront.
The tower follows a stepped-back form at different levels, as required by New York's 1916 zoning law, which was introduced to keep light and air reaching the streets below. This same rule, applied across dozens of buildings around it, is what gives Manhattan's skyline its well-known stepped profile.
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