NY Buildings Series: A Brief History of “The Century.”
The Century Building is a historic 41-story skyscraper located at 25 Central Park West in Manhattan, New York City. It was designed by architect Irwin S. Chanin and completed in 1931.
The building was originally intended to be the centerpiece of Chanin's "City of Towers," a grand plan to create a network of tall buildings in the heart of Manhattan. However, due to the Great Depression and World War II, the plan was never fully realized and the Century Building remains one of the few survivors of the era.
The building's Art Deco design features a distinctive setback tower and a bronze entrance canopy. The lobby is decorated with marble and bronze, and features a mosaic ceiling designed by the renowned artist Hildreth Meière.
Over the years, the Century Building has been home to many famous residents, including actress Gloria Swanson, writer Dorothy Parker, and composer Leonard Bernstein. It has also been featured in numerous films and TV shows, including "Ghostbusters" and "Law and Order."
In 1985, the building was designated a New York City Landmark, and in 1986 it was added to the National Register of Historic Places. Today, it remains one of the most iconic buildings in New York City and a testament to the city's rich architectural history.
