17 State Street Looks Like A Battery

[Gee80]

Originally Posted by Uaarkson

I've always thought this building looked like a battery, and it is of course across the street from battery park.

If they say it was unintentional, fine. But it's a nice coincidence.

Who's they? My father is the sole designer/architect of this building and it was never meant to look like a battery... simple as that. Emery Roth & Sons and the old owner of the building Melvin Kaufman didn't ask my father to design something that looked like a battery. You can think what you want though, that's your right.

I'll take my dad's word over a nice coincidence.

[Uaarkson]

I think you're trying to find conflict in my post where there really wasn't any.

[Gee80]

Originally Posted by Uaarkson

I think you're trying to find conflict in my post where there really wasn't any.

Like I said you can believe that it's a nice coincidence, that's your right. I'm just trying to say factually that it was never intended to look like a battery or thought to be designed that way... that's all.

Also I was confused when you wrote "they"

No harm done. I'm just trying to get some true facts out about this building, including who designed it (which the OP asked years ago.) No problem if you think it looks like a battery.

[Uaarkson]

I believe you.

[desertpunk]

Originally Posted by Gee80

Hi, I'm new here and noticed this thread and I'm sorry for the bump since this was written like 5 years ago, but the architect of 17th state street is my dad.

The architect's name is Roy Gee. He worked for Emery Roth & Sons for years, originally in Houston Texas till they moved and we as a family relocated to NYC in the early 80s.

As for his inspiration... lol it was not a battery. I asked him this today after I saw this thread through google search and showed him this forum. He told me it was to be sorta like a lighthouse looking out over a harbor.

Thank you all for the positive words about the building and it's design, it's my favorite building my dad has ever decided. I was in awe of it when I was a little boy and still am today.

I always struggled to like this one because of the stark contrast with the neighboring buildings as well as the defiantly modern look of 17 State St. But as you say, it bears a kind of lighthouse function (if not look) by virtue of its contrast and the way it really stands out from a distance. The battery thing is funny though and would be even more so if a battery company leased the building or used it in a promotion.

[Uaarkson]

The building would be spectacular with a modern re-clad. I find myself saying that more and more about modernist towers, moving away from wanting them replaced entirely.

[Sarcasticity]

I actually find this one to be striking. Everytime I bring someone to the Statue of Liberty ferry, they would always comment how beautiful this building is. The two black boxes emphasizes its beauty even more so

[meh_cd]

Originally Posted by Uaarkson

The building would be spectacular with a modern re-clad. I find myself saying that more and more about modernist towers, moving away from wanting them replaced entirely.

WHAT? A reclad? The building is amazing as is.

[Uaarkson]

It needs a good cleaning at the very least.