Woolworth Building, New York City, Guida per visitatori e cosa fare nei dintorni

The Woolworth Building is a Gothic Revival skyscraper at 233 Broadway in Lower Manhattan, New York City. When it opened in 1913 it was the tallest building in the world, a title it held for 17 years, and it is still one of the most admired towers in the city.

The story behind it

The tower was built for Frank W. Woolworth, whose chain of five-and-dime stores made him a fortune selling inexpensive goods. He wanted a headquarters that would put his name on the skyline, and he hired the architect Cass Gilbert to design it. The project reportedly cost about 13.5 million dollars, and Woolworth paid for it in cash. For most of the twentieth century the building carried no mortgage, which was remarkable for a skyscraper of this size.

The opening in 1913 was staged as a national event. President Woodrow Wilson pressed a button in Washington, and the tower's lights came on across its many floors. Its soaring Gothic lines and ornate detail soon earned it the nickname "Cathedral of Commerce". The record fell in 1930, when taller towers rose in the city, but the Woolworth Building never lost its standing.

What to look for

• Look up at the facade, which is clad in cream-coloured terracotta and carved with pointed arches, pinnacles and Gothic ornament more often seen on a cathedral than an office tower.
• Step back to take in the full height of the tower and its tall, slender top, which makes it easy to pick out among its neighbours.
• Find the grand entrance on Broadway, where the decoration around the doorway hints at the richness of the interior.
• Notice how the tower faces City Hall Park, which gives you a clear open view of it from across the street.

Tips for your visit

• Allow 15 to 20 minutes to see the exterior and take photos, longer if you add the surrounding streets.
• The building is mostly private today, so check current access before planning to see the lobby, and treat the exterior as the main sight.
• City Hall Park is a good spot to view the whole tower, and the Brooklyn Bridge, St. Paul's Chapel and the 9/11 Memorial are all within walking distance.
• Go in the morning or late afternoon for softer light on the terracotta, and expect busy pavements on weekdays.

See it on a quest

The Lower East Side Murder Mystery, New York passes the Woolworth Building as one stop on a longer walking route through the area. The app tells you about each place as you reach it and sets a puzzle based on what is in front of you, so you look at the tower and its surroundings more closely than a quick photo allows. One ticket covers the whole group, and you can start whenever you like, with no guide and no set departure time.