A limestone and granite skyscraper that rises 741 feet above Lower Manhattan’s Financial District, completed in 1931 as the headquarters of a major banking institution and briefly the world’s tallest stone-clad building.
At a glance
This 57-story tower, designed by Cross & Cross, exemplifies the geometric Art Deco style that dominated Manhattan’s skyline during the interwar boom. Faced in granite and limestone with a steel frame, it once ranked among the city’s tallest structures. The building’s original vision as the world’s tallest was curtailed by economic crisis, yet it remains a commanding presence on Exchange Place.
History
Construction began in 1930 for the newly merged National City Bank of New York and Farmers’ Loan and Trust Company, completing the following year. The bank occupied it as headquarters until 1956. Sold in 1979, the building underwent significant conversion during the 1990s when Metro Loft Management transformed the 16th through 57th floors from offices into residential lofts. The Landmarks Preservation Commission designated it a city landmark in 1996; it also anchors the Wall Street Historic District, listed on the National Register of Historic Places in 2007.
What you see
The facade combines granite and limestone, with the lower section filling an irregular city block. Decorative piers feature sculptural figures depicting the “giants of finance,” designed by British sculptor David Evans. The main entrance on Exchange Place showcases a round arch framed by granite medallions representing the nations where the bank maintained offices. Above, a square tower with chamfered corners rises symmetrically, creating a distinctive silhouette against the Manhattan skyline.
Cultural significance
20 Exchange Place documents a pivotal moment in American finance and architecture. It reflects both the confidence of the banking sector before the Great Depression and the practical adaptations made when ambitions were scaled back. Its conversion to residential use marks the broader transformation of Lower Manhattan’s Financial District in recent decades, breathing new life into an institutional landmark.
Key facts
- Country: United States
- City: Manhattan
- Height: 741 feet (226 m)
- Floors: 57 usable stories
- Completed: 1931
- Architect: Cross & Cross
- Original use: Banking headquarters
- City landmark designation: 1996
- Coordinates: 40.7056°N, 74.0097°W
Practical information & getting there
The building stands in Manhattan’s Financial District, accessible via public transportation serving the Wall Street area. As a private residential property, interior access is restricted. The exterior and surrounding streetscape remain visible to the public and are best appreciated from Exchange Place and neighboring blocks.
Sources & resources
- 20 Exchange Place – Wikipedia
- Cultural Heritage Online
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