The Woolworth Building is a true New York City institution. Instantly recognizable by many, it has featured prominently in the NYC skyline since its completion in 1913. At the time of its opening, the building towered over the rest of the city as the tallest skyscraper in the world (the Eiffel Tower was considered not to be a building, strictly speaking), a title it would hold until 1930. Frank W. Woolworth, the founder of the Woolworth Company and owner of 318 five-and-ten-cent stores across the US, Canada, and England, commissioned the building. Architect Cass Gilbert designed the building, which was to be used in part as the Woolworth Company’s headquarters.
Though once open to the public, this beautiful and elusive building has been closed to outsiders since 2001. But those eager to peek inside and learn about the building’s history can do so exclusively through joining one of the Woolworth Building tours. The tours were created when public demand to access the building (particularly its lobby) began to grow. Ever since, it’s been one of the best-kept secrets for history and architecture buffs.
There are three versions of the tour, expertly crafted to accommodate all levels of interest and budget: the 30 minute tour, the 60 minute tour, and the 90 minute tour. The 30 minute tour covers all the basics, including a talk on the history of the building and a brief architectural discussion on some of the more important structural and aesthetic elements. The 60 minute tour adds more information about the construction of the building and takes a closer look at its ornamental enhancements. It also includes a look at the lower level of the lobby and provides more information on both Woolworth and Gilbert.
The 90-minute tour goes in-depth on all fronts. It offers a detailed discussion of the history, context, and construction of the building, the key players involved, and its place in NYC history. This tour is also the only one of the three that ends with a trip to the mezzanine, where you can see the amazing mosaic ceiling and historic murals up close, allowing for plenty of photograph-worthy views.
The tours are led by professional tour guides who have incredible knowledge and passion for the building, architecture, and history. Our 90-minute tour was led by Anthony Robins, who provided our small group of 8 with a wealth of knowledge. He delivered the tour with a clear excitement and respect for the building, its history, and the people involved. We heard detailed stories and commentary on Mr. Woolworth’s company history, the society of the time, the development of skyscrapers, the design and construction of the Woolworth Building, and all of the secrets and nuances of the interior.
The tour is enhanced by the building’s exclusive nature and iconic past and is truly an under-the-radar experience that many New Yorkers and tourists alike should absolutely consider. Whether you’re deeply interested in the history and architecture of the building or merely want a better understanding of its significance in New York City history, we’d recommend checking out the various tour offerings to see if one of them is right for you!
