The Fuller Building better known as the Flatiron Building
Address:
175 Fifth Avenue.
Situated on a triangular area block at 23rd Street, Fifth Avenue and Broadway,
facing Madison Square.
Did you know this!
When the building was completed in year 1902 it was the tallest building in the world.
The triangual house - also known as the iron
The building is 22-story high and with a high of 285 ft (87 meter). The round tip facing Madison Square is only about 6 feet wide.
Architect
The house is designed by Chicago's Daniel Burnham. The name of the house was in the beginning "Fuller Building" after the construction company who owned it,
Fuller Construction Co.
When the house was completed in 1902 the citizens who lived here couldn´t believe that this construction should last long. They thought the strong winds surrounding the building should tear it down. During a specific time people placed bets on how long the building should last. The building got the name "Burnhams madness".
Steel skeleton - the first scyscraper
The building was one of a couple of buildings that were built with steel during this time, even though the Flatiron building is called "the first high building to be built in steel". Flatiron was also called "the first skyscraper" and the building was the beginning of the skyscraper era on Manhattan.
What can be found in the building today?
There is no public observation deck at the top.
The building mainly houses publishing offices, but there are a few shops on the ground floor. You can visit the lobby if you want!
When became Faltiron not any longer the worlds tallest building ?
It was not for many years the Flatiron Building could take credit of beeing the worlds tallest building. Already in 1909 the New York building - Metropolitan Life Insurance Company - became the worlds tallest building with its 700 feet.
Why the iron ?
The building later on got the name "Flatiron" due to its shape and location. If you look at the building from above it looks like an iron print. The triangel were the house is located is covering the following areas, 23rd Street, Fifth Avenue and Broadway. The round tip is facing Madison Square.
Shopping area in the 1800´s
Broadway that goes from Madison Square to Union Square was during the 1800´s called the "Ladies Mile". During this period this area was the nicest shopping area in New York.
Those who lived here came in their nice shining wagons to shop at the fashionable placed like among others Arnold Constable (nr 881-887) and Lord & Taylor (nr 901). Today there are not any signs of these stores and the houses are not so nice any longer. But if you look as high up as you can on the buildings, you could see some nice decorations.
Flatiron Building in the movies!
As always many buildings on Manhattan is seen in movies.
Flatiron Building was in the Spider-Man movies as the Daily Bugle building. The Daily Bugle is a fictional New York City newspaper.
(Were Spider-Man or Peter Parker works as a reporter)
Short facts:
A popular postcard image
A few years into the new century (1900s), Flatiron building was the most popular postcard image from New York. Many were those who sent home a picture of the mighty skyscraper.
Theodor Roosevelt
A little further down on Broadway 28 East 20th Street you can see a copy of the house where Theodore Roosevelt (America's 26 President) grew up.