United States Realty Building
115 Broadway | also 9 Thames Street, 97 Trinity Place, 117 Broadway | Financial District | built 1907
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The city photographed every building for its tax records around 1940 and again in the 1980s. NYC Municipal Archives.
Written with AI from the source each entry cites, then fact-checked.
- 1901
Harry S. Black's United States Realty and Construction Company is formed with Vanderbilt and Morgenthau as backers
Harry S. Black assumed control of the George A. Fuller Company after the death of his father-in-law and in 1901 founded the United States Realty and Construction Company. Its backers included Robert Dowling, Henry Morgenthau, Cornelius Vanderbilt and Charles F. Hoffman. The company was set up to buy real estate, put up buildings with the Fuller Company as contractor, and raise capital for both, and it gave this tower its name.
“In 1901 Harry S. Black, who had just taken over the George A. Fuller Company from his late father-in-law, established the United States Realty and Construction Company…”
Source: Wikipedia
- 1906
The foundations of the tower go in within 60 days, with 500 men and 70 caissons
Foundation work began in June 1906 and was practically finished by August, a 60-day job the record calls an unparalleled achievement, with about 500 men employed. The U.S. Realty Building rests on 70 pneumatic caissons sunk to bedrock at 75 feet. The city also agreed to move Thames Street about 28 feet north and to close the southern section of Temple Street.
“This foundation and the extension of Trinity were commenced in June 1906 and practically finished in August – 60 days – an unparalleled achievement. On average, 500 men were employed.”
Source: Wikipedia
- 1907
Francis H. Kimball designs the tower and its twin as early Gothic-inspired skyscrapers
Architect Francis H. Kimball designed the United States Realty Building and its twin, the Trinity Building, which rank among New York's earliest Gothic-inspired skyscrapers. Steel was erected between October 26, 1906 and January 28, 1907. The pair cost about $15 million together, land included.
“These are among the first Gothic-inspired skyscrapers in New York.”
Source: Wikipedia
- 1912
The Lawyers Club gets a copper-clad clubhouse on the roof and a footbridge over Thames Street
In 1912 a copper-clad addition on part of the roof gave the new Lawyers Club a second story atop the U.S. Realty Building. That year Kimball also designed a footbridge across Thames Street joining the roofs of the two towers, with steel framing and ornamental wrought-iron panels in a quatrefoil pattern.
“In 1912, a copper-clad addition was erected on a portion of the roof of the U.S. Realty Building as a second story for the new Lawyers Club.”
Source: Wikipedia
- 1988
The city designates 115 Broadway and its twin as landmarks
The Landmarks Preservation Commission designated both the Trinity Building and the United States Realty Building on June 7, 1988. In the early 1970s the buildings across Cedar Street were demolished and replaced by Liberty Plaza Park, now Zuccotti Park, which made 115 Broadway far more prominent. The lobbies were renovated beginning in 1987, and the exteriors have been cleaned.
Source: Wikipedia
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