NEW YORK | 70 Pine St (American International) | 952 FT / 290 M | 66 FLOORS | 1932
Originally constructed as the world headquarters for Cities Service Companies, the American International Building at 70 Pine Street has been looming over Lower Manhattan for decades. Until the completion of the World Trade Center in the 1970's, this tower was the tallest in Lower Manhattan for 40 years and once is again (until completion of the new WTC).
The tower is a beautiful brown limestone which transitions to white at the top to a (copper?) roof and subsequent communications spire. I've always liked this tower a great deal and really wish that its once public observation deck was still open. Apparently now it is a perk for AIG executives. The slenderness of the tower, combined with its coloring, and spire cap are all positives for me. Hugh Ferriss would be proud. Source: I have no recollection of where I picked this up http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v2.../70PINE001.jpg http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v2.../70PINE002.jpg http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v2.../70PINE003.jpg http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v2.../70PINE004.jpg http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v2.../70PINE005.jpg http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v2.../70PINE006.jpg http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v2.../70PINE007.jpg http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v2.../70PINE008.jpg http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v2.../70PINE009.jpg http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v2.../70PINE010.jpg http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v2.../70PINE011.jpg |
Still one of the best in New York City and a perfect example of Art Deco Architecture at its finest.
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Beautiful building, and without a doubt one of my favorites in the city. Some of my family worked in 70 Pine many years back. From what I'm told it's as beautiful inside as it is outside. I've only seen portions of the lobby from the street because the public cannot venture in, but from what I personally saw it was very elegant and classy.
There is vast amount of detail that makes up this building. Whenever I walk past it I always manage to find something new. It's just simply a classic New York skyscraper. |
This and 20 exchange are my favorite art deco skyscrapers of Lower manhattan. I love how the tower abruptly tapers off at the top and finished with its pointy spire.
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Looks good at night also...
the lighting is quite effective at night time.
http://i44.photobucket.com/albums/f43/sexexeter/ny2.jpg http://i44.photobucket.com/albums/f43/sexexeter/ny1.jpg |
A truly great old building. . . my buddy worked for AIG and although his offices were in another building nearby, he had an opportunity to go to the top of this building. . . which he did of course. . .
The most amazing address in the world I'd say. . . Pine Street is no wider than a single lane street curb to curb and this building rises straight up from the sidewalk creating an unusually dark canyon. . . . . . |
Too bad it lost its prominence after the construction of boxes and big, fat pomo buildings.
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Spider-Man 2 version
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Lovely overlooked building. I love the slimness and the craggy, stepped top.
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The Corporate Observatory from 'the city review'
http://www.thecityreview.com/srivals7.gif http://butterflies59601.tripod.com/s...res/cacoon.jpg (at least the link works) |
^^^ The elevator rises out of the floor. A stunning observatory.
I have an old Metropolis Magazine from 1997. The featured article is about all the old observatories in New York. It had this same photo. I'll have to get it out and read it again/possibly scan some of the pics. |
I scanned the observatory pic. It's huge. sorry
http://img135.imageshack.us/img135/8118/1111aigiy4.jpg ...and here's the corresponding text. http://img135.imageshack.us/img135/2...aigtextxk2.jpg |
http://img257.imageshack.us/img257/2...meslidezq4.jpg
Kodachrome slide from 1958. photographer unknown |
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Wow indeed, I would love to see that view today...
I love the old art deco skyline of downtown. |
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The above pic looks like it was taken around Carroll Gardens or so, here's a similar view from Sunset Park from March: http://img34.imageshack.us/img34/1962/blahblah2.jpg |
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