Famed for its unique silhouette the Flatiron Building stands before us. Its history is as captivating as its form. The Flatiron Building, originally named the Fuller Building, emerged in 1902. It quickly became an iconic symbol of New York City.
Daniel Burnham and Frederick P. Dinkelberg designed the Flatiron Building. Some initially mocked it as “Burnham’s Folly”. The Flatiron Building sits on a triangular block. Fifth Avenue, Broadway, and East 22nd Street form this unusual plot. East 23rd Street grazes its northern peak. Its shape resembles a cast-iron clothes iron and that gave it its nickname.
The Fuller Company, a construction firm, developed the Flatiron Building. They acquired the site in May 1901. Construction moved swiftly and the Flatiron Building opened on October 1, 1902. Initially, it had 20 floors. A “cowcatcher” retail space and penthouse were added soon after.
The Flatiron Building’s facade has three sections like a classical column. Limestone clads the base’s three stories. Glazed terracotta covers the upper stories. Purdy and Henderson designed its steel frame. It could withstand four times the area’s maximum wind force. The Flatiron Building anchors Madison Square’s south end. It also marks the Ladies’ Mile Historic District’s north end. The surrounding area became known as the Flatiron District.
Amos Eno once owned the site. He put a canvas screen on one of his buildings. He projected advertisements and images onto it. The New York Times and Tribune used it for news bulletins. Crowds gathered in Madison Square on election nights. They awaited the latest results.
William Eno, Amos’s son, bought the lot at auction in 1899. He resold it to Samuel and Mott Newhouse shortly after. The Newhouse family sold “Eno’s flatiron” to the Cumberland Realty Company in 1901. Harry S. Black, CEO of the Fuller Company, led Cumberland Realty.
The Atlantic Terra Cotta Company made terracotta pieces for the building. The Flatiron Building was not the first triangular building. It was the largest at the time.
The Fuller Company distributed brochures before the opening. They advertised the Flatiron Building as “ready for occupancy” on October 1, 1902. The company occupied the 19th floor. The Flatiron Building was taller than others nearby. Fire officials considered it helpful in fighting fires in surrounding buildings.
A “cowcatcher” retail space was added at the northern tip. United Cigar Stores leased this space. A penthouse was also added after the building’s completion. Artists, such as Louis Fancher, quickly rented the penthouse studios.
Frank Munsey, a magazine publisher, was an early tenant. The Equitable Life Assurance Society leased almost the entire third floor. The Imperial Russian Consulate also occupied three floors.
The Flatiron Building’s vast cellar extended under the streets. The Flatiron Restaurant occupied part of the basement. It seated 1,500 patrons. Sightseeing buses brought visitors to the restaurant and the 21st-story observation deck.
The Flatiron Building’s shape created strong wind gusts. These winds raised women’s skirts. Policemen allegedly shouted “23 skidoo” at men trying to peek.
The Flatiron Building’s image is found on merchandise worldwide. Plates, mugs, and postcards all feature its iconic shape. Its exterior remains a popular spot for tourist photographs. The Flatiron Building is possibly one of the most photographed buildings globally.
The Flatiron Building became a New York City landmark in 1966. It was added to the National Register of Historic Places in 1979. It gained National Historic Landmark status in 1989. A 2023 survey ranked it the fourth-most-loved building in the United States.
Though some critics initially disliked the building, H.G. Wells admired its “prow… ploughing up through the traffic”. Its unique form continues to capture imaginations today. The Flatiron Building remains a symbol of architectural innovation. Its enduring presence defines the New York City skyline.