3. NYC’s First Skyscraper Was at Bryant Park

Crystal Palace and Observatory at the current site of Bryant Park
Image from New York Public Library

Taking up nearly an entire block on 6th Avenue between 41st and 42nd Street was once the Crystal Palace, an architectural feat of iron and glass with a massive dome. The structure was built in 1853 for America’s first World’s Fair. Accompanying the Crystal Palace was “New York City’s first skyscraper,” an octagonal observation tower taller than Trinity Church. Both buildings were part of the “Exhibition of Industry of All Nations.”

Called the Latting Observatory, the tower stood more than 300 feet tall. It was the tallest manmade perch on the continent at the time. Just three years after it went up, the Observatory went down in flames. A fire from a neighboring shop engulfed the towering wood and iron structure. In another two years, after dazzling a million visitors, the entire Crystal Place went up in flames due to arson. Check out more of the city’s shortest-lived buildings (one only lasting 2 days!).