Flatiron Building

The Flatiron Building is a world-famous skyscraper in Manhattan, New York City.

It stands as a quintessential symbol of the city. The structure is a 22-story, steel-framed triangular tower. It is located at 175 Fifth Avenue. This site sits in the Flatiron District neighborhood. The building's unique shape earned its name. It resembles a cast-iron clothes iron.

The building anchors the south end of Madison Square. It also marks the northern end of the Ladies' Mile Historic District. Because of this iconic landmark, the surrounding neighborhood is named the Flatiron District.

The building occupies a specific triangular city block. This block is bounded by Fifth Avenue to the west. Broadway runs along the east side. East 22nd Street forms the southern boundary. The western and eastern facades converge at a single point. This point creates a "peak" at the northern corner. This corner is where Fifth Avenue and Broadway meet East 23rd Street. The shape exists because Broadway runs diagonally against the Manhattan street grid. While the name suggests a specific shape, the site is actually a scalene right triangle.

Above the ground level, all three corners of the triangle are rounded.

Architects Daniel Burnham and Frederick P. Dinkelberg designed the tower.

The Fuller Company developed the building as its headquarters. They acquired the site from the Newhouse family in May 1901. Construction moved very quickly during this period. The building officially opened on October 1, 1902. In its early days, some people called the project "Burnham's Folly." Originally, the building was only 20 stories tall. Later, workers added a penthouse and a "cowcatcher" retail space. This low attached building was named after the device found on rail locomotives.

The building's appearance follows the logic of classical architecture. The facade is divided vertically into three distinct sections. This design mimics the components of a classical column. The base consists of three stories clad in limestone. The upper stories are covered in glazed terracotta.

The structural engineering was handled by the firm Purdy and Henderson. They designed a steel frame to ensure stability. This frame was built to withstand four times the maximum wind force of the area. This strength was vital for such a tall, narrow structure. Workers used air-powered tools to rivet the steel beams together. This method was much more efficient than using steam-powered tools.

The history of this lot involves many different owners and uses. In 1857, Amos Eno purchased the entire block for $32,000. He built the Cumberland, a seven-story apartment building. Eno even used a magic lantern to project images on the building's walls. These projections showed news bulletins and advertisements. Tens of thousands of people would gather in Madison Square to see them. After Eno died in 1899, his assets were liquidated. His son, William Eno, bought the lot back for $690,000. This price was more than 20 times the original cost from four decades earlier. William sold the lot to the Newhouse family just three weeks later for $750,000.

Construction of the steel frame was a massive undertaking. The American Bridge Company manufactured the steel in Pennsylvania. The frame rose above street level by January 1902. However, several delays slowed the progress. A delay in steel shipments occurred first. Then, a blizzard hit in February. A strike at the Hecla Iron Works also caused problems. This factory was responsible for the elevators and handrails. Despite these hurdles, the steel was so precisely pre-cut that pieces connected without any alterations. The frame was finished by February 1902. Workers began installing the terracotta tiles as the top stories were being built.

The Flatiron Building holds significant historical status. It was designated a New York City landmark in 1966. In 1979, it was added to the National Register of Historic Places. It achieved the status of a National Historic Landmark in 1989. The building has seen many changes in management and ownership. The Equitable Life Assurance Society took over in 1933. Helmsley-Spear managed it for much of the late 20th century. Today, the building is entering a new era. In October 2023, owners announced a conversion project. The skyscraper will be turned into residential condominiums. This project is planned to be complete by 2026.