Flatiron Building

The Flatiron Building is an office building at the intersection of Broadway and Fifth Avenue in Manhattan. The wedge-shaped structure stands 22 floors tall with a facade of limestone and terracotta in Renaissance Revival style.

Daniel Burnham completed the steel-framed structure in 1902, creating one of the earliest skyscrapers in Manhattan at 91 meters tall. At the time of its opening, it stood as the tallest building north of City Hall and marked the start of a new era in urban construction.

Photographers gather near the park throughout the day to capture the building's narrow profile against the skyline. The structure serves as a backdrop for street performers and artists who set up near the intersection, drawing people who recognize it from countless films and photographs.

Madison Square Park offers the clearest views for photos from the south and east sides of the building. Visitors cannot enter the offices, so plan to walk around the block to see how the shape changes from different angles.

The wedge shape creates unusual wind currents at street level that famously lifted skirts and hats in the early 1900s. The narrow north tip measures only about 2 meters wide at the base, giving the illusion of a paper-thin wall when viewed head-on.

Location: Manhattan

Inception: 1902

Architects: Daniel Burnham

Official opening: 1902

Architectural style: Renaissance Revival architecture

Floors above the ground: 22

Height: 94 m

GPS coordinates: 40.74111,-73.98972

Latest update: December 12, 2025 16:40