NEW YORK | Whitehall Building & Annex | 259/424 FT. | 25/35 FLOORS | 1904/1910

[Chapelo]

The twenty-story Whitehall Building (1-17 West Street & 17 Battery Place), named for Peter Stuyvesant's seventeenth-century house that had been located nearby, was constructed in 1902-04 and designed by the preeminent turn-of -the-century architect Henry J. Hardenbergh. This highly visible site at the southernmost tip of Manhattan, overlooking Battery Park, inspired the architect to create a building with bold design features and a dramatic color scheme. Built as a speculative office tower by the real estate and development firm of Robert A. and William H. Chesebrough, the building was an immediate success and the developers began plans to build an addition. They hired the prolific architectural firm of Clinton & Russell to design a thirty-one-story addition facing West Street, with a tower overlooking the original building. Constructed in 1908-10, the Greater Whitehall, as the addition was called, was the largest office structure in the city at the time of its completion. The building's huge size coupled with its location on landfill at the edge of Manhattan island created the need for unusual types of foundations and methods for their installation. The elegant limestone facade, designed in a neo-Renaissance style with a traditional organization of base, shaft, and capital complements the original structure. Together the two sections of the building create a dramatic visual introduction to the towers of Manhattan.

In 1999, both buildings were converted into residential apartments, while the original building retains some offices/retail. Both buildings were designated a landmark by the New York City Landmarks Preservation Commission on February 8, 2000.

Despite the fact that these buildings have been dwarfed by newer buildings in Battery Park, these buildings' prominent waterfront location and beautiful Beaux-Arts form make it incomparable. An outstanding pair, and one of my favorites. What I wouldn't give for an apartment on the upper floors of the annex...


Left-Arrow. From: http://kayandme.blogspot.com/


NYC - Battery: Whitehall Building by wallyg, on Flickr


NYC - Battery: Whitehall Building by wallyg, on Flickr


Whitehall Building (1904), 17 Battery Place, New York, New York by lumierefl, on Flickr


older by Dreamer7112, on Flickr


N.Y. Skyline, 1913 (LOC) by The Library of Congress, on Flickr


DSC_5839 copy by gambleg42, on Flickr

[photoLith]

Never really noticed it before.

[ethereal_reality]

I have always loved this building. It definitely deserves a thread.

[Chapelo]

Originally Posted by photoLith

Never really noticed it before.

Makes sense. It doesn't particularly stick out, unless you're looking for it.

From: http://www.nyc-architecture.com/LM/L...LLBUILDING.htm

The main tower, prior to construction of the annex. July 1906

[jd3189]

Originally Posted by photoLith

Never really noticed it before.

If you ever seen a picture of the WTC and the rest of the Lower Manhattan skyline close up, then you may have seen this building.

[marvelfannumber1]

AH I love this one. Truly a signature piece of the skyline, even after battery park city showed up

[Tyler Xyroadia]

I have a wodnerful photo of downtown from the mid 30's that shows this from a wodnerful view. It really is a treasure, and given that most buildings around it from that time have alas been "removed' it is heartening that this work of art is still standing.

[MolsonExport]

Always loved this building. So glad it escaped the wrecking ball.

[Chapelo]

Originally Posted by MolsonExport

Always loved this building. So glad it escaped the wrecking ball.

Someone wanted to tear this beautiful Dame down?


The Future is Now by The National Archives UK, on Flickr


Crowd on Battery Wall, N.Y. (LOC) by The Library of Congress, on Flickr

In the grand scheme of things...


Lower Manhattan & Battery Park. by Flodigrip's world, on Flickr


The Whitehall Building by studionigh, on Flickr


Battery Park, New York CIty by whitewall buick, on Flickr

[CarlosV]

Iconic building...i believe the Cunard Lines had offices there for the Titanic !!

[Dac150]

Nice to see that this is getting some recognition around here - I consider it a staple in the Lower Manhattan skyline.

[ThatOneGuy]

This building needs to be scrubbed white again.

[Chapelo]

Wish they'd remove the penthouse atop Greater Whitehall. There's also a small 60s-era office building on the property, but not attached to either structure, on the Washington Street side that needs to go.


New York City Lower Manhattan 1906 Aerial by Photoscream, on Flickr


New York City Lower Manhattan 1922 Aerial by Photoscream, on Flickr


New York City Lower Manhattan 1942 by Photoscream, on Flickr

[MolsonExport]

^thanks for the eye candy

[NYC4Life]

^^ Timeless Lower Manhattan skyline shot!

[ethereal_reality]

Are there any photographs of the interior? It would be great to see the lobbies & the top floor of the annex where the four window are squeezed under the arch. I wonder if this space was vaulted.

__

[Chapelo]

Here's the lobby in Lesser Whitehall.



I'm working on getting photos of the interior. It's been converted to apartments though, so it may be a little difficult. Maybe I'll setup an appointment to view a unit. Stay tuned!

Those upper floors are in fact vaulted, from what I have been told.

[MolsonExport]

^Damn, I would pay a lot of money to live there....if only I had a lot of money.

[ethereal_reality]

Originally Posted by Chapelo

Here's the lobby in Lesser Whitehall.



I'm working on getting photos of the interior. It's been converted to apartments though, so it may be a little difficult. Maybe I'll setup an appointment to view a unit. Stay tuned!

Those upper floors are in fact vaulted, from what I have been told.

Amazing! Thanks so much Chapelo.
__

[Chapelo]

I have an appointment for next Wednesday to view a one bedroom apartment on the 29th floor of the annex. Pictures to follow

I pay $850 for my one bedroom in Prospect Heights, so I have no intention of leaving.