New York Life Building, Gothic Revival skyscraper in Midtown Manhattan, United States
Description
The New York Life Building is a 187.5-meter office tower with 40 stories clad in pale Indiana limestone on Madison Avenue in Midtown Manhattan. Its most striking feature is a golden pyramid-shaped crown that rises from the roof and is visible from across the city.
History
Completed in 1928 by architect Cass Gilbert, the tower replaced two earlier landmarks that once occupied the site: the original Madison Square Garden and P.T. Barnum's Hippodrome. Its construction reflected Manhattan's rapid growth during the prosperous years before the economic downturn.
Culture
The building blends European Gothic design with American corporate ambition, showing how insurance companies in the 1920s conveyed strength and prestige through architecture. Visitors can notice this in the elaborate stonework and craftsmanship throughout the exterior and lobbies, which feel more like a cathedral than an office tower.
Practical
The tower sits directly above the 28th Street subway station, making it easy to reach by public transit. The main entrance faces Madison Avenue, and public areas in the lobby are accessible during business hours.
Did you know?
The golden pyramid crown contains about 25,000 individual gold leaf tiles that were painstakingly restored in 2007 after years of exposure had dulled their shine. This intricate detail is difficult to spot from street level, but becomes apparent when viewed from higher vantage points or examined through photographs.
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