1. Singer Building

Source: New York Public Library

The Singer Building at Broadway and Liberty Street was the tallest building in the world for 18 months. Built by architect Ernest Flagg in 1908, the building utilized a setback tower atop 12-story a base. Flagg was an advocate of new regulations for skyscrapers and some of his ideas were incorporated into the 1916 zoning regulation. Unfortunately, the setback of the Singer Building is precisely what doomed it. Its narrow tower portion rendered it economically unviable for office space and it became the tallest building ever demolished in 1968. Interior photos were taken before demolition, capturing the marble and bronze lobby.

5 Successes of the Landmarks Law

The landmarks law is also a story of great successes, setting a framework for preservation and development in New York City. For the 5 successes of the Landmarks Law, Dolkart has chosen concepts, rather than buildings.