2. Temple Court Was the First High-Rise Building in New York City

5 Beekman Street’s main building is 9 stories high while its annex is 10 stories, making it the first high-rise building in New York City. During its construction, after the Panic of 1873, builders wanted to make higher buildings throughout New York City. Thus, from 1870 to 1890, the number of 9-and 10-story structures increased in the area between Bowling Green and City Hall, and in 1890 the New York World Building became the tallest in the world at 20 floors.