5 Coolest Buildings in New York City
Author: Kristina Barnes
Article:
The New York skyline is one of the most recognisable in the world. The view across the harbour to Manhattan reveals a cityscape bristling with skyscrapers. From the Statue of Liberty to the legendary spike of the Empire State Building, New York City's architecture speaks volumes about its history and personality. Here are five of its most iconic buildings:
The Empire State Building You can see this big boy from pretty much everywhere in Manhattan (and beyond). Its location in a relatively low-rise area means that it stands out like a huge silver needle. The 102-storey art deco giant lies at the crossroads of Fifth Avenue and West 34th Street and is named in honour of New York State which is often known as the Empire State. For more than forty years it was the world's tallest building until the North Tower of the World Trade centre was finished in 1972. After 9/11 it became New York's tallest once again. Named as one of the Seven Wonders of the Modern World, the Empire State is an icon in its own right, and a symbol of the Big Apple. It has appeared in countless movies, legends and stories, and is a must for visitors to New York. Word of advice
- make sure you go up one of the city's other skyscrapers so you don't miss out on the view of Empire State in all its glory.
The Chrysler Building Another art deco treat. The Chrysler held the title of New York's highest building for two years until the Empire State went up in 1931. It towers 77 metres above street level and has over 100,000 square metres of floor space. The skyscraper is well-known for its curvy metal cladding and steel spire which echo the design of 1930s Chrysler cars. One of the most unusual and visually stunning of New York's monoliths, the Chrysler is a little slice of retro in the centre of the modern city.
The Dakota Building The Dakota Building has a special place in rock and roll legend. John Lennon lived there in the late 70s and was assassinated near the entrance in 1980. His widow Yoko Ono still owns their apartment there. It was also the setting for Roman Polanski's horror classic Rosemary's Baby.Legend has it that the building got its name because the West Side of Manhattan was as sparsely populated during the 1880s as the Dakota states. Further cementing the Dakota Building's appeal is its unusual architecture. Set among the staid edifices of the West Side, the Dakota's Germanic gables and terracotta embellishments make it look like a Bavarian town hall.
Definitely worth a look if you're in the area.
Flatiron Building This one is a groundbreaker. It was one of the earliest buildings to have a steel skeleton meaning that it was New York's first skyscraper. Also unique is the Flatiron's shape. It is, literally, shaped like an iron. Built in the Beaux-Arts style in 1902 and originally called the Fuller Building, the Flat Iron sits on a triangular block at the meeting of 23rd Street, Broadway and Fifth Avenue. Its fame is such that the whole area is known as the Flatiron district. It's another classic NYC sight, and has been used in many films and TV shows.
Rockefeller Centre Famous for its wintertime skating rink in the Lower Plaza, the Rockefeller Center is a complex of interconnected buildings nestling in downtown Manhattan. The highest part is 70 stories and has a wide range of fun hotspots including restaurants and shops. Sometimes called New York's city within a city, it's home to the NBC and thus the birthplace of shows like Friends, Scrubs and Seinfeld. Make sure this is part of your New York experience - it's a classic.
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