commercial trade center
This commercial trade center was completed in 1913 and designed by Cass Gilbert. It was the tallest building in the world until 1930, when 40 Wall Street and then the Chrysler building took over. It was built by American financier Frank Woolworth, the owner of a large department store chain, who established his offices there until 1997. In 1909 he bought land in Broadway, paying cash in advance for skyscrapers. At the building's inauguration, President Woodrow Wilson triggered the lighting of the building from Washington. The building resembles a Gothic Cathedral, with ornaments and gargoyles on its pinnacles. It has 60 floors and is 241 meters high. A Latin cross in the interior extends into the arcade. To rank these buildings by height: Manhattan: 14 stories, Height in meters: 241
