#238 l 20 Exchange Place l NEW YORK l 226m l 57fl

RafflesCity · February 8th, 2003, 08:46 PM

20 Exchange Place
New York, USA

HEIGHT: 226m/741 feet
FLOORS: 57 floors
COMPLETION: 1931
ARCHITECT: Cross & Cross

was built 1930-1931 for the City Bank Farmers Trust Company.
When designed in 1929, the building was originally planned to have a pyramidal top, as well as a notably taller tower, but eventually the Depression forced changes to the plans: the original top floor arrangement was altered and the builders had to be content with an actual height of 226 m. (On the other hand, had the original plans been followed, by the time the building was completed in 1931, even its planned height would most definitely have been already surpassed.)

The strongly chamfered, 54-storey shaft of the building doubles the form of the 15-storey base, although the latter is also slightly trapezoidal, following the shape of the plot. The building is clad in white Alabama limestone, with the mid-portions of elevations formed by brickwork that has long since lost its original white colour.

Exterior decor includes sculptured themes as well as engraved details of historic or merely decorative nature.

The bronze doors are decorated with images of transport vehicles and the domed lobby has gold-toned travertine floor and a wealth of marble, mosaics and paintings. Sculptor David Evans created ideological and decorative items of bronze and nickel for the lobby.

The building was originally connected across Exchange Place to the 55 Wall Street with a covered -- and later removed -- walkbridge (link).
The building houses 67,000 m² of space and is now part of the Witkoff Group's roster.

DamienK · February 9th, 2003, 09:12 AM

I like this one - the colours and the little setbacks at the top are nice. 8/10

SteelCity32 · February 9th, 2003, 06:23 PM

it's cool. And the facade isn't that good.

6/10

RafflesCity · February 13th, 2003, 12:41 AM

8.5/10

I love it. Very slender and well proportioned with interesting details.

Liz L · February 25th, 2003, 01:00 AM

9/10 - Another nice Art Deco confection - I like the slim, graceful tower, the striking contrast between the light and dark stone along the facade, the way the lower setbacks rotate, and the ornamental details - it seems to flow together very well

February 27th, 2003, 03:45 AM

Aside from the fact that no other building looks like this (and that's in a good way, not in a Ryugyong Hotel kind of way), this building implements many of the best styles of the times, such as the wonderful detailing and stramlines on the lower half, as well as throughout the tower. As long as this building stands to create a roadblock along William Street, all will be alright in Lower Manhattan.

Plus, that array at the top just looks cool.

8.5 (Though I voted an 8.0 a while ago)

Wu-Gambino · February 28th, 2003, 03:50 AM

9/10

Very unique facade and shape.

Oaronuviss · February 28th, 2003, 04:14 AM

Beautiful designs and statues on the building.
8

Caledon1981 · February 28th, 2003, 05:07 AM

yeah i really like the "pharoah" like statues on the base of the tower .. . . 7.5/10 for age

Ashram · March 7th, 2003, 03:27 AM

8/10 1930's NYC building usually means great building, and this one is no exception.

The Messiah · March 7th, 2003, 07:54 PM

You just gotto love these oldies from New York!
8.5/10

March 22nd, 2003, 05:44 PM

i love it i love it i love it!!!!

March 23rd, 2003, 12:58 AM

This building is pretty cool, I just hate the top!!! 8.0/10

March 24th, 2003, 08:50 AM

6.5

coco91 · April 3rd, 2003, 01:15 PM

Super : The art-deco style is very bright!

8.5/10

April 11th, 2003, 12:52 AM

10 Oh my, this slender beast is a beauty! Love that contrast of the light stone and dark stone... what a gorgeous facade! 1930's art deco rules all... this building is brilliant... you won't find stuff like this anymore... what ornate craftsmanship... those pharaoh heads are amazing...

Wisma · April 15th, 2003, 11:38 AM

I love those NYC oldies. Just awesome...

--> 9/10

Jase Calvin · April 16th, 2003, 04:44 PM

This is one of my favourite buildings in NYC. Too bad the floor plates are too small for people to work in today. The art deco style at the bottom makes it look dramatic, like Gotham City in a Batman movie. 8/10

April 26th, 2003, 01:03 AM

6/10

huaiwei · May 28th, 2003, 01:05 PM

I like art deco...but this one...something seems to be wrong with it..from afar it actually looks...er..industrial?? 7/10.

View Poll Results: City Bank Farmers Trust Building, New York
10	25	12.08%
9.5	13	6.28%
9	28	13.53%
8.5	28	13.53%
8	30	14.49%
7.5	19	9.18%
7	24	11.59%
6.5	7	3.38%
6	12	5.80%
5.5	4	1.93%
5	3	1.45%
4.5	2	0.97%
4	5	2.42%
3.5	1	0.48%
3 or less	6	2.90%
Voters: 207. You may not vote on this poll

February 8th, 2003, 08:46 PM	#1
RafflesCity By Spirit Join Date: Sep 2002 Location: S I N G A P O R E Posts: 26,215 Likes (Received): 6	#238 l 20 Exchange Place l NEW YORK l 226m l 57fl 20 Exchange Place New York, USA HEIGHT: 226m/741 feet FLOORS: 57 floors COMPLETION: 1931 ARCHITECT: Cross & Cross was built 1930-1931 for the City Bank Farmers Trust Company. When designed in 1929, the building was originally planned to have a pyramidal top, as well as a notably taller tower, but eventually the Depression forced changes to the plans: the original top floor arrangement was altered and the builders had to be content with an actual height of 226 m. (On the other hand, had the original plans been followed, by the time the building was completed in 1931, even its planned height would most definitely have been already surpassed.) The strongly chamfered, 54-storey shaft of the building doubles the form of the 15-storey base, although the latter is also slightly trapezoidal, following the shape of the plot. The building is clad in white Alabama limestone, with the mid-portions of elevations formed by brickwork that has long since lost its original white colour. Exterior decor includes sculptured themes as well as engraved details of historic or merely decorative nature. The bronze doors are decorated with images of transport vehicles and the domed lobby has gold-toned travertine floor and a wealth of marble, mosaics and paintings. Sculptor David Evans created ideological and decorative items of bronze and nickel for the lobby. The building was originally connected across Exchange Place to the 55 Wall Street with a covered -- and later removed -- walkbridge (link). The building houses 67,000 m² of space and is now part of the Witkoff Group's roster. Last edited by ZZ-II; July 16th, 2008 at 10:23 PM.

February 9th, 2003, 06:23 PM	#3
SteelCity32 Don't be that guy! Join Date: Sep 2002 Location: Pittsburgh Posts: 1,098 Likes (Received): 0	it's cool. And the facade isn't that good. 6/10 __________________ I often dream of huge numb buildings, jet black sinister architecture. Being installed when nobody sees. Their appearence so sudden that few would take notice.

February 25th, 2003, 01:00 AM	#5
Liz L Registered User Join Date: Oct 2002 Location: Indianapolis, IN Posts: 403 Likes (Received): 0	9/10 - Another nice Art Deco confection - I like the slim, graceful tower, the striking contrast between the light and dark stone along the facade, the way the lower setbacks rotate, and the ornamental details - it seems to flow together very well __________________ Liz L Art Deco rules!

February 28th, 2003, 03:50 AM	#7
Wu-Gambino Registered User Join Date: Dec 2002 Location: Indianapolis Posts: 2,678 Likes (Received): 2	9/10 Very unique facade and shape. Last edited by Wu-Gambino; May 11th, 2004 at 04:40 AM.

February 9th, 2003, 09:12 AM	#2
DamienK Registered User Join Date: Sep 2002 Location: Perth Posts: 3,258 Likes (Received): 16	I like this one - the colours and the little setbacks at the top are nice. 8/10 __________________ 21st Century Coeds - Some things never change Read the webcomic

February 13th, 2003, 12:41 AM	#4
RafflesCity By Spirit Join Date: Sep 2002 Location: S I N G A P O R E Posts: 26,215 Likes (Received): 6	8.5/10 I love it. Very slender and well proportioned with interesting details.

February 27th, 2003, 03:45 AM	#6
Daniel8ty8 Guest Posts: n/a Likes (Received):	Aside from the fact that no other building looks like this (and that's in a good way, not in a Ryugyong Hotel kind of way), this building implements many of the best styles of the times, such as the wonderful detailing and stramlines on the lower half, as well as throughout the tower. As long as this building stands to create a roadblock along William Street, all will be alright in Lower Manhattan. Plus, that array at the top just looks cool. 8.5 (Though I voted an 8.0 a while ago)

February 28th, 2003, 04:14 AM	#8
Oaronuviss The Mighty. Join Date: Dec 2002 Location: Windsor Canada (the biggest one) Posts: 2,637 Likes (Received): 239	Beautiful designs and statues on the building. 8 __________________ I'm timeless like a broken watch, and make money like Fred Astaire...

February 28th, 2003, 05:07 AM	#9
Caledon1981 --------- Join Date: Sep 2002 Location: OKC Posts: 217 Likes (Received): 0	yeah i really like the "pharoah" like statues on the base of the tower .. . . 7.5/10 for age __________________ --------

March 7th, 2003, 03:27 AM	#10
Ashram Registered User Join Date: Feb 2003 Location: Montreal Posts: 140 Likes (Received): 0	8/10 1930's NYC building usually means great building, and this one is no exception.

March 7th, 2003, 07:54 PM	#11
The Messiah Finishing this fight Join Date: Sep 2002 Location: Middelburg(The Netherlands) Posts: 1,301 Likes (Received): 2	You just gotto love these oldies from New York! 8.5/10 __________________ The message you have entered is too short. Please lengthen your message to at least 2 characters.

March 22nd, 2003, 05:44 PM	#12
TmanNYC Guest Posts: n/a Likes (Received):	i love it i love it i love it!!!!

March 23rd, 2003, 12:58 AM	#13
X-seed 4000 Guest Posts: n/a Likes (Received):	This building is pretty cool, I just hate the top!!! 8.0/10

March 24th, 2003, 08:50 AM	#14
joesl Guest Posts: n/a Likes (Received):	6.5

April 3rd, 2003, 01:15 PM	#15
coco91 Registered User Join Date: Dec 2002 Location: outer suburbs of Paris Posts: 191 Likes (Received): 0	Super : The art-deco style is very bright! 8.5/10

April 11th, 2003, 12:52 AM	#16
Evergrey Guest Posts: n/a Likes (Received):	10 Oh my, this slender beast is a beauty! Love that contrast of the light stone and dark stone... what a gorgeous facade! 1930's art deco rules all... this building is brilliant... you won't find stuff like this anymore... what ornate craftsmanship... those pharaoh heads are amazing...

April 15th, 2003, 11:38 AM	#17
Wisma Registered User Join Date: Sep 2002 Location: Jakarta (Tanah Tinggi) Posts: 2,890 Likes (Received): 0	I love those NYC oldies. Just awesome... --> 9/10

April 16th, 2003, 04:44 PM	#18
Jase Calvin Registered User Join Date: Sep 2002 Location: Melbourne, Victoria Posts: 282 Likes (Received): 0	This is one of my favourite buildings in NYC. Too bad the floor plates are too small for people to work in today. The art deco style at the bottom makes it look dramatic, like Gotham City in a Batman movie. 8/10

April 26th, 2003, 01:03 AM	#19
BGT Guest Posts: n/a Likes (Received):	6/10

May 28th, 2003, 01:05 PM	#20
huaiwei The Monkey King Join Date: Jan 2003 Location: Singapore 新加坡 Singapura சிங்கப்&#2986 Posts: 11,897 Likes (Received): 0	I like art deco...but this one...something seems to be wrong with it..from afar it actually looks...er..industrial?? 7/10. __________________ Majulah Singapura 前进吧，新加坡！Onward Singapore முன்னேறட்டும் சிங்கப்பூர் "My Settlement of Singapore continues to thrive most wonderfully - it is all and everything I could wish and, if no untimely fate awaits it, promises to become the Emporium and the pride of the East" - Sir Thomas Stamford Raffles, 10th September 1820

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