Envision a time before Target and Foot Locker, before Sephora and CVS. We stand before the Kratter Building, a structure that has witnessed the changing face of 34th Street. The Kratter Building sprung to life in 1954, a 27-story testament to post-war optimism and the ambition of the Kratter real estate company. Designed by Rene Brugnoni and Rudolph C.P. Boehler, it’s an early example of modern architecture, its sleek lines and setbacks a departure from the ornate styles of the past. The Kratter Building isn’t just a building. It’s a story told in steel and glass.
The architects cleverly designed the Kratter Building to span an entire block, boasting a wider facade on 33rd Street. Imagine the hustle and bustle as workers poured in and out, the clack of typewriters echoing from the upper floors. Now, picture this: On 34th Street, the building’s two-story base presented a distinguished face of black stone, accented by glass and metal. The main entrance, nestled in the easternmost bay, welcomed tenants and visitors alike. The rest of the base, clad in gray stone, glass, and metal, housed retail spaces that pulsed with the energy of city life. Large windows on the second floor offered tantalizing glimpses of the activities within.
The upper floors of the Kratter Building, sheathed in a gray metal curtain wall, reflect the sky. The grey-tinted windows and light green-grey spandrels create a subtle yet striking pattern. Look closely at the west end. You’ll see a grey brick parapet crowning the 4th floor, marking the first setback. These setbacks, a defining feature of the building’s silhouette, continue in a rhythmic pattern up the tower. The eastern half sets back above the 13th floor, followed by the western side above the 15th. Four more setbacks, each two floors apart, create a tiered effect in the mid-section. Then, the Kratter Building rises straight up for the final six floors, culminating in the mechanical floors shrouded in a black metal screen.
The Kratter Building has always adapted to the times. While its upper floors have remained relatively consistent, the ground floor has transformed. Today, it’s a hub of commercial activity, home to well-known brands like Target, Foot Locker, Sephora, CVS, and Tissot. But even with these modern additions, the Kratter Building retains its unique character, a blend of early modern design and contemporary urban life. The Kratter Building stands as a quiet observer, a witness to the ever-evolving city that surrounds it.