Listing the IRL new york skyscraper reference in The Cursed Apple.
Park Row Building (1899)
Location: New York, U.S.A.
Original Owner: Park Row Construction Company
Architect: R. H. Robertson
Opened: 1899
Status: Extant
The Park Row Building, also known as 15 Park Row[www.google.com], stands as an early icon of skyscraper design in Manhattan’s Financial District.
(Amber Base, The Cursed Apple)
(“15 Park Row – the Skyscraper Center” 2020)
Designed by R.H. Robertson and engineered by Nathaniel Roberts, it was completed in 1899, earning distinction as the tallest commercial building in the world until 1908. This 29-story structure, with its two three-story cupolas and expansive base, was constructed with a sturdy foundation of Georgia spruce piles capped with granite. The New York City Landmarks Preservation Commission designated it a landmark in 1999, cementing its historical significance.
(Amber Base, The Cursed Apple)
Located on “Newspaper Row,” the building played a pivotal role in the city’s bustling newspaper industry and housed 950 offices, accommodating about 4,000 workers daily.
(Amber Base, The Cursed Apple)
Its corridors saw an estimated 25,000 people pass through each workday, reflecting its importance as a commercial hub. Owned by August Belmont, Jr., under the Park Row Realty Company by mid-1899, it became the headquarters of the Interborough Rapid Transit (IRT) subway and the first office of the Associated Press.
The Park Row Building remains a testament to early skyscraper innovation and Manhattan’s vibrant commercial history. (“History,” n.d.)
(“Park Row Building,” n.d.)
REFERENCE
- “15 Park Row – the Skyscraper Center.” 2020. Skyscrapercenter.com. 2020. https://www.skyscrapercenter.com/new-york-city/park-row-building/9142/.
- “Park Row Building.” n.d. World’s Tallest Towers. https://skyscraper.org/tallest-towers/park-row-building/.
- “History.” n.d. 15 Park Row. https://15-parkrow.com/history/.
Woolworth Building (1913)
Location: New York, U.S.A.
Original Owner: Frank Woolworth
Architect: Cass Gilbert
Opened: 1913
Status: Extant
The Woolworth Building, completed over a century ago, remains a defining icon of New York City’s skyline. Designed in a neo-Gothic style by architect Cass Gilbert, it was hailed as a “cathedral of commerce” and a groundbreaking marvel of its time. (“Woolworth Building | Iconic NYC Landmark with Modern Conveniences,” n.d.)
Amber Base, The Cursed Apple
(“Woolworth Building | New York, NY | WJE,” n.d.)
Pre-match Roof
York Street (Yellow Lane), The Cursed Apple
Its soaring 57-story height and uninterrupted vertical lines set it apart from the horizontal emphasis of Chicago skyscrapers and the segmented forms of earlier New York towers.
(“Inside the Woolworth Tower Residences: The 21st Century Evolution of an Iconic NY Landmark” 2017)
Conceived by Frank Woolworth as both a symbol of his success and a lucrative real estate venture, the building blended architectural grandeur with innovative steel-frame construction and white-glazed terra-cotta tiles. Visible unobstructed from a distance, the Woolworth Building continues to embody the monumental aesthetics and ambitious spirit of early 20th-century New York.
(“Night Light: 1913” 2024)
REFERENCE
- “Woolworth Building | Iconic NYC Landmark with Modern Conveniences.” n.d. Woolworth Building. https://www.woolworthbuilding.com/.
- “Woolworth Building | New York, NY | WJE.” n.d. Wje.com. https://www.wje.com/projects/detail/woolworth-building.
- “233 Broadway, Woolworth Building Office Space Availability.” n.d. Metro Manhattan Office Space. https://www.metro-manhattan.com/buildings/233-broadway-woolworth-building/.
- “Inside the Woolworth Tower Residences: The 21st Century Evolution of an Iconic NY Landmark.” 2017. Haute Residence by Haute Living. March 22, 2017. https://www.hauteresidence.com/inside-the-woolworth-tower-residences-the-21st-century-evolution-of-an-iconic-ny-landmark/.
- “Night Light: 1913.” 2024. Shorpy.com. 2024. https://www.shorpy.com/node/11011.
New York Life Insurance Building (1928)
Location: New York, U.S.A.
Original Owner: New York Life Insurance Company
Architect: Cass Gilbert
Opened: 1928
Status: Extant
between Boardway Lane and Park Lane, The Cursed Apple
The Cursed Apple
(“New York Life Building – the Skyscraper Center” 2024)
The New York Life Building, located at 51 Madison Avenue in Midtown South[www.google.com], is a masterpiece of architectural brilliance and functionality. Designed by renowned architect Cass Gilbert, also the creator of the Woolworth Building, this landmark seamlessly blends its rich history with modern practicality, making it a prime location for businesses. Its Gothic-inspired design and grand presence reflect the craftsmanship of an era that prioritized elegance and innovation. (“51 Madison Avenue Office Space (New York Life Building): A Guide” 2024)
between Boardway Lane and Greenland Lane, The Cursed Apple
Built in 1929, the building is distinguished by its striking gold pyramid-shaped roof and occupies a full block from 26th to 27th Street and Madison to Park Avenue South.
(“The New York Life Building” 2008)
Recognized for its historical and architectural significance, it has been listed on the National Register of Historic Places since 1972 and was designated a New York City landmark in 2000. Every detail of the structure, from its intricate façade to its storied halls, embodies a legacy of excellence and timeless beauty.
(“History of the New York Life Building” 2021)
REFERENCE
- “New York Life Building – the Skyscraper Center.” 2024. Skyscrapercenter.com. 2024. https://www.skyscrapercenter.com/building/wd/2060.
- “The New York Life Building.” 2008. Flatiron NoMad. January 1, 2008. https://flatironnomad.nyc/history/the-new-york-life-building/.
- “History of the New York Life Building.” 2021. Madison Square Park Conservancy. April 2, 2021. https://madisonsquarepark.org/community/news/2021/04/history-of-the-new-york-life-building/.
- “51 Madison Avenue Office Space (New York Life Building): A Guide.” 2024. Metro Manhattan Office Space. November 2, 2024. https://www.metro-manhattan.com/buildings/51-madison-avenue-new-york-life-building/.
40 Wall Street (1930)
Location: New York, U.S.A.
Original owner: George Ohrstrom
Architects: H. Craig Severance and Yasuo Matsui
Opened: 1930
Status: Extant
(Amber Base, The Cursed Apple)
(“40 Wall Street | New York, NY” 2024)
The 40 Wall Street building, constructed in 1929 by the 40 Wall Street Corporation, was designed by architects Craig Severance and Yasuo Matsui as a speculative skyscraper for the Manhattan Company. The building, featuring a French Gothic-style crown and spire, rose to a height of 927 feet, making it a contender in the late 1920s race to construct the world’s tallest building.
(“40 Wall Street Office Space (Trump Building): What to Know” 2024)
The competition with the Chrysler Building, designed by Severance’s former partner William Van Alen, became a widely publicized rivalry. Despite topping out first, 40 Wall Street was ultimately surpassed when the Chrysler Building secretly added its 185-foot aluminum spire, securing the title of the tallest building in the world. (“40 Wall Street – World’s Tallest Towers” 2020)
After its completion, 40 Wall Street faced a challenging start, opening during the Great Depression with many tenants reneging on leases. It remained under-occupied until 1944 and endured further misfortune in 1946 when a plane crashed into its fifty-eighth floor. By 1992, the building was in disrepair and largely vacant, but its fortunes changed when the Trump Organization purchased it for under eight million dollars. Significant investments revitalised the skyscraper, and by the late 1990s, 40 Wall Street had become a well-tenanted landmark, preserving its place in New York City’s architectural history.
(“Culture Now – CultureNow – Museum without Walls” 2021)
REFERENCE
- “40 Wall Street – World’s Tallest Towers.” 2020. World’s Tallest Towers. 2020. https://skyscraper.org/tallest-towers/40-wall-street/.
- “Culture Now – CultureNow – Museum without Walls.” 2021. Culturenow.org. 2021. https://culturenow.org/site/40-wall-street/preview/1c1975cb-2c69-4b12-8fab-38a0e277d766#1c1975cb-2c69-4b12-8fab-38a0e277d766.
- “40 Wall Street Office Space (Trump Building): What to Know.” 2024. Metro Manhattan Office Space. November 9, 2024. https://www.metro-manhattan.com/buildings/40-wall-street-trump-building/.
- “Trump International Realty.” 2024. Trumpinternationalrealty.com. 2024. https://www.trumpinternationalrealty.com/property-portfolio/40-wall-street-the-trump-building.
- “40 Wall Street | New York, NY.” 2024. Trump.com. 2024. https://www.trump.com/commercial-real-estate-portfolio/40-wall-street.
American International Building (1932)
Height: 952 feet / 290 meters
Location: New York, U.S.A.
Original Owner: Cities Service Company
Architect: Clinton & Russell, Holton & George
Opened: 1932
Status: Extant
The Cursed Apple
(“American International Building | Wired New York” 2024)
The American International Building, also known as the Cities Service Building, is an iconic Art Deco skyscraper in New York City’s Financial District.
The Cursed Apple
Constructed between 1930 and 1932, this 67-story, 952-foot (290 m) tower originally served as the headquarters for the Cities Service Company and was the third tallest building in the world upon its completion.
(Geographic Guide 2012)
The Cursed Apple
(“70 Pine – the Skyscraper Center” 2015)
In 1976, the building was purchased by the American International Group (AIG) and later changed ownership in 2009 following AIG’s bankruptcy. Today, it has been repurposed into a residential building, combining timeless architectural elegance with modern amenities.
(“American International Building | Wired New York” 2024)
REFERENCE
- “American International Building | Wired New York.” 2024. Wirednewyork.com. 2024. http://wirednewyork.com/skyscrapers/aib/.
- “70 Pine – the Skyscraper Center.” 2015. Skyscrapercenter.com. 2015. https://www.skyscrapercenter.com/building/70-pine/18405.
- Geographic Guide, ed. 2012. Review of American International Building. Geographic Guide New York City Historic Buildings. 2012. https://www.geographicguide.com/united-states/nyc/antique/skyscrapers/american-international.htm.
Possible Building References
Sandbox
(228 WestIllinois, (Former)Engine Company 42 Firehouse Rehabilitation)
2. Chrysler Building (1930)
Sandbox
(“The Chrysler Building – NYC in 1930,” n.d.)
3. E.V. Haughwout Building (1857) & The Home Insurance Building (1885)
Sandbox
The Home Insurance Building (Aagam Mundhava 2020)
E. V. Haughwout Building (Aagam Mundhava 2020)
Sandbox
REFERENCE
“The Chrysler Building – NYC in 1930.” n.d. History 101 NYC. https://www.history101.nyc/the-chrysler-building-1930.
Aagam Mundhava. 2020. “Deriving and Testing Design Strategies for Skyscraper Morphology Endeavouring Environmental Performance Enhancement: A Generative Design Optimization Approach.” July 20, 2020. https://doi.org/10.6084/m9.figshare.16610158.
Structural Detail
The star-shaped decorations on the exterior brick walls of the model are characteristic of anchor plates, which are commonly found on historic masonry buildings in New York City.
These metal stars are not purely decorative; they fulfill a structural role by connecting tie rods that provide reinforcement to the building’s walls, preventing them from bowing outward. (Areta 2014)
Sandbox
Sandbox
REFERENCE
- Areta. 2014. “Forgotten Galicia – Anchor Plates in Annapolis.” Forgotten Galicia. June 26, 2014. https://forgottengalicia.com/anchor-plates-annapolis/.
more editing in progress..
And that wraps up our share on Deadlock: Real Life New York Buildings in Deadlock Map. If you have any additional insights or tips to contribute, don’t hesitate to drop a comment below. For a more in-depth read, you can refer to the original article here by 糕冷法师才女Limbo, who deserves all the credit. Happy gaming!