32 Avenue of the Americas, Art Deco skyscraper in Tribeca, Manhattan, United States
32 Avenue of the Americas is an Art Deco skyscraper in Tribeca that spans an entire city block with a multi-toned brick facade and distinctive parapets. The 27-story tower features geometric detailing throughout its exterior that creates visual interest along the street.
The building was constructed between 1929 and 1932 as the world's largest facility dedicated to long-distance telephone communication. It served as a central hub for the Bell System, routing calls across the country through its extensive network of lines.
The lobby corridor displays mosaic art by Hildreth Meière showing people and places connected through communication. These artworks tell a visual story of how telephone lines linked distant communities together.
The building was renovated between 2001 and 2002 to incorporate modern technical systems while preserving the original architecture. It now operates as a data center and is not open to the public, but its striking facade remains visible from the surrounding Tribeca streets.
The structure incorporates building setbacks that allow sunlight to reach street level while displaying geometric patterns. These architectural features were both a practical solution to local zoning rules and a hallmark of Art Deco design.
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