40 Wall Street

40 Wall Street, originally known as the Bank of Manhattan Trust Building, is a 70-story Art Deco skyscraper in the Financial District of Manhattan in New York City. Completed in 1930, it was briefly the world's tallest building before being surpassed by the Chrysler Building and later the Empire State Building. The tower is a prominent feature of the New York City skyline and has been associated with major financial institutions and, since 1995, with The Trump Organization.

History

The site's history is deeply intertwined with the development of Lower Manhattan. The land was originally part of a farm owned by Dutch West India Company official Jan Jansen Bleecker. The first significant structure was the nine-story Hendricks Brothers building, completed in 1887. In 1929, under the direction of Bank of Manhattan Company president George L. Ohrstrom, a new tower was commissioned to compete for the title of world's tallest building. Architects H. Craig Severance and Yasuo Matsui designed the structure, with Shreve, Lamb & Harmon as consulting architects; the latter firm would soon design the Empire State Building. The building was erected with remarkable speed, using a derrick system, and was completed in 1930 after just eleven months of construction. It briefly held the height record until the secret spire of the Chrysler Building was installed. Throughout the mid-20th century, it was a headquarters for the Bank of Manhattan Company, which later merged into Chase Manhattan Bank. In 1995, a partnership led by Donald Trump purchased and renovated the tower, renaming it The Trump Building. It was designated a New York City landmark by the New York City Landmarks Preservation Commission in 1998.

Architecture

The architecture is a quintessential example of late 1920s Art Deco commercial design, characterized by its geometric massing and ornate detailing. The structural frame is steel, clad in limestone and brick, with a distinctive pyramidal setback crown and a gilded pyramidal roof. The crown was designed to maximize rentable office space while complying with the 1916 New York City Zoning Resolution. The lobby is a lavish Art Deco space featuring marble walls, bronze elevator doors, and a mosaic ceiling. The building's narrow footprint and rapid construction were engineering feats for their time. Its design directly influenced subsequent skyscrapers like the Empire State Building and remains a textbook example of setback architecture under the old zoning laws.

Notable tenants

The tower has historically housed major financial and corporate entities. Its original and most famous tenant was the Bank of Manhattan Company, founded by Aaron Burr. Other significant long-term occupants have included the Manufacturers Hanover Trust Company, and the Confederate States of America bondholder office of John G. Nicolay. In the late 20th century, it became a center for Chinese-American business, housing groups like the China Institute. Following its acquisition by The Trump Organization, it has attracted various financial firms, law offices, and investment companies. The building's upper floors have also contained private clubs and event spaces.

In popular culture

The building's distinctive silhouette has made it a recognizable backdrop in numerous films and media set in New York City. It is prominently featured in the skyline of the 1933 film *King Kong*. It has appeared in movies such as *The Amazing Spider-Man 2*, *Ghostbusters II*, and *The Dark Knight Rises*, often representing the power of Wall Street. The building was also a key visual in the opening credits of the television series *Law & Order*. Its association with Donald Trump has led to its frequent appearance in news coverage and documentaries about business magnates and New York City real estate.

See also

* Chrysler Building * Empire State Building * Art Deco architecture of New York City * List of tallest buildings in New York City * The Trump Organization

Category:Skyscrapers in Manhattan Category:Art Deco architecture in New York City Category:Office buildings in New York City