Pershing Square Building

The Pershing Square Building is a 30-story office tower with a cream brick exterior and terracotta decorations near Grand Central Terminal. The structure features a five-story base supporting a narrower upper section, with a light court running through its center.

Construction finished in 1923 after the Grand Union Hotel was demolished to make room for this new tower. Building it above the underground railroad tracks at Grand Central Terminal required special engineering techniques to support the weight.

The Romanesque Revival style with its detailed arches and ornamental elements expresses the commercial dreams of New York during the 1920s. The building shows how business architecture of that era merged practical needs with artistic design.

Two staircases link the building directly to the Grand Central-42nd Street subway station for easy access to the city's transit system. The proximity to this major terminal makes navigation straightforward for visitors in this busy area.

The tower features an unusual U-shaped design that sits above its rectangular base, creating a distinctive profile on the skyline. This clever shape allowed the architects to build light courts inside, bringing natural daylight into offices deep within the building.

Location: Manhattan

Inception: 1923

Architects: John Sloan, York and Sawyer

Architectural style: Romanesque Revival architecture

Floors above the ground: 30

GPS coordinates: 40.75170,-73.97750

Latest update: December 8, 2025 19:41