New York City is the home to high-rise buildings and skyscrapers. One World Trade Center is the tallest building, which rises 1,776 feet. The history of the tallest buildings in New York started with the completion of the World Building in 1890, and in the next 50 years, 16 skyscrapers over 600 feet (183 m) were built. Unfortunately, dozens of beautiful old buildings and famous landmarks were also demolished to make new development. In 1965, the National Historic Preservation Act was passed to protect these historic landmarks. Below is a collection of historic buildings and landmarks that were demolished and vanished, including workplaces, hotels, and private homes. Vote your favorites, and don’t forget to share.
#1 The original Penn Station was built in 1910. It was sold and demolished in 1962 to make room for a larger rail station and Madison Square Garden.
#2 The Old Metropolitan Opera House was built in 1883 near Times Square. It was the first home of the Metropolitan Opera Company, but was demolished in 1967 and performances were moved to Lincoln Center.
#3 The Hippodrome stood on 6th Avenue between 43rd and 44th Streets from 1905 to 1939. It was one of the largest theaters of its time, with a seating capacity of 5,200.
#4 The Washington Building, overlooking the Battery, was constructed in 1885, It was completely remodeled with a new facade in 1921.
#5 The Hotel Astor was built in 1904 at Broadway and 44th Street. It was demolished in 1967 and is now occupied by a high rise.
#6 The original Waldorf-Astoria Hotel opened in 1897, combining the Astor and Waldorf Hotels. It was destroyed in 1929 to make way for the Empire State Building and the hotel moved to 301 Park Ave.
#7 The New York World, New-York Tribune, and New York Times were all located on “Newspaper Row” near City Hall. The World and Tribune buildings were demolished in 1955 and 1966, respectively; the Times building still stands (though it’s no longer home to the newspaper).
#8 The Singer Building in lower Manhattan was completed in 1908 and served as the headquarters of the Singer Manufacturing Company. It was demolished in 1968.
#9 The St. Paul Building opened in 1899 on lower Broadway and was named after the chapel across the street. It was knocked down in 1958.
#10 The Gillender Building was completed in the Financial District in 1897, but stood for only 13 years. It was destroyed in 1910 and replaced by a bigger building that combined its neighboring lot.
#11 Tammany Hall was the headquarters of the Democratic party for decades. The building on East 14th Street was built in 1830, and was demolished in 1927 to make room for a new tower.
#12 The Richardson Spite House was built in 1882 at 82nd Street and Lexington Ave. to satisfy a personal grudge by blocking the view of another building. The four-story building stood until 1915.
#13 The Brooklyn Savings Bank was completed in Brooklyn Heights in 1894. While it was heralded as an architectural masterpiece, it faced the wrecking ball in 1964.
#14 The impressive Church of the Disciples, located on 45th Street and Madison Avenue, did not make it into the 20th century. It was built in 1873, but was demolished soon after, in 1899.
#15 Construction of the New York Produce Exchange Building began in 1881 to replace an older produce exchange. The newer building was then demolished in 1957.
#16 The Exchange Court Building in lower Manhattan was erected in 1898. In 1980 it was converted to a modern office building.
#17 William Kissam Vanderbilt’s “Petit Chateau,” built in 1882, was nearby at 52nd Street and Fifth Avenue. It was demolished to make way for a commercial building in 1926.
#18 The Samuel Osgood House was the first presidential mansion, where George Washington lived for two years when New York was the nation’s capital. It was demolished in 1856.
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Historical suicide! A crime against American History.
#19 The John Wolfe Building was built in 1895 in the Financial District. It was demolished in 1974 to widen the street.
#20 The All Angels’ Episcopal Church on the Upper West Side was lavishly appointed with a 2.5-story Tiffany window and pulpit decorated with limestone angels. Built in 1890, it was torn down in 1979 and replaced with a residential highrise.
#21 Hotel Piccadilly was constructed in 1928 on West 45th Street. In 1982 it was replaced by a newer hotel, the Marriott Marquis.
#22 A “Victory Arch” was erected near Madison Square Park in 1919 after World War I ended. It was a temporary structure built of wood, and was eventually torn down.
#23 Pennsylvania Station, originally built in 1910, and torn down in 1963 to make way for the construction of Madison Square Garden
#24 An early incarnation of Madison Square Garden was located between Fifth and Madison Avenues, and 26th and 27th Streets. The arena was demolished in 1926.
#25 Located near the Singer Building, the City Investing Tower was an oddly shaped tower that was razed in 1986. Hudson Terminal, a rail station, was built in 1909, closed in 1971, and later demolished.
#26 The Commodore Hotel was built in 1919 east of Grand Central Terminal. In 1980 it was completely remodeled, and is now the Grand Hyatt New York.
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Few know that former President Trump was involved to save this older structure (as well help “bail” out NYC when was bankrupt! (along with business consortiums). He was in housing at the time and bought it and worked with various groups to resurfaces it and “converted” it into the Grand Hyatt New York.
This action helped to “reinvigorate” the entire Grand Central Station area (truly RUN down) and gave confidence for other business people to “come back” or start businesses. Jackie Kennedy Onassis got involved to SAVE the “Beaux -Arts” landmark. In 1975 it’s “Landmark” designation had been VOIDED by the courts (a railroad was to be built in a new UGHLY bld).
(She was greatly involved with the restoration & preservation of many landmarks as well the White House (see her on TV giving her tour of the White house – very knowlegble about the history of such) amazing but so shy!!!) She was very much involved in doing so with other landmarks) (Washington’s Lafayette Square
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PS Jackie Kennedy as well restored the amazing murals in Grand Central Station (black from soot) She did a great deal for this area & again so did Trump when he lived in NYC. (just rarely mentioned MSM) She did it during NYC depression. (St Bartholomew Church and Lever House) As these landmarks were destroyed BLAND skysrapers Rose to replace them!
To QUOTE: “”””If we don’t care about our past we can’t have very much hope for our future,” she said into a bank of microphones…. “We’ve all heard that it’s too late, or that it has to happen, that it’s inevitable. But I don’t think that’s true. Because I think if there is a great effort, even if it’s the eleventh hour, then you can succeed and I know that’s what we’ll do.””””””””
“”Dear Mayor Beame…is it not cruel to let our city die by degrees, stripped of all her proud moments, until there is nothing left of all her history and beauty to inspire our children? If they are not inspired by the past of our city, where