On October 13th, The Pan Am Museum Foundation will celebrate the 60th anniversary of the landmarked midtown building now known as the MetLife Building. The festivities will include a keynote speech by Dan Colussy, Former Pan Am President, and special appearances by some familiar faces you may recognize, Untapped New York’s Chief Experience Officer and Co-Owner Justin Rivers and the daughter of architect Richard Roth Jr. and one of Untapped New York’s Insiders, Robyn Roth-Moise!
Completed in 1963, the Pan Am building at 200 Park Ave in Manhattan was one of the first assignments given to Richard Roth, Jr. when he started to work at his family’s firm, Emery Roth & Sons. Roth collaborated with architects Walter Gropius and Pietro Belluschi on the skyscraper, originally known around the office as Project X. In honor of the anniversary, we’re releasing an exclusive interview with Roth from our Insiders on-demand archive! As an Insider, you have access to our complete on-demand library of more than 200 recorded webinars, including more sit-down talks with the late Richard Roth, Jr. on topics like the hotels of Emery Roth, the whimsical buildings of developer Melvyn Kaufman, and more!
The building served as the headquarters for Pan American World Airways from 1962 to 1991. At the time, Pan Am was the largest international air carrier in the United States. Other notable early tenants included Westinghouse Electric Corporation, Alcoa, Reader’s Digest, Chrysler, and the National Steel Corporation. MetLife took over the building in 1981.
The 60th Anniversary celebration will take place in the Vanderbilt Suite within the MetLife Building. Light appetizers, cheese, and wine will be served at this VIP reception. You might even spot Academy Award Winning Pan Am uniform designer Edith Head (…as performed by Susan Claassen!). Grab your tickets to the anniversary party here!
Can’t make the party? You can mark the anniversary by helping to support the Pan Am Museum! For a limited time, you can purchase a 60th anniversary commemorative coin. All proceeds go towards preserving Pan Am’s history. The Pan Am Museum is located within the Cradle of Aviation Museum in Garden City, Long Island.
Next, check out 10 Secrets of the MetLife Building