Bank of Manhattan Trust Building

Bank of Manhattan Trust Building. It is a 70-story Art Deco skyscraper located at 40 Wall Street in the Financial District of 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 was developed by the Bank of Manhattan Company as its headquarters and remains a prominent feature of the Manhattan skyline.

History

The project was initiated by the Bank of Manhattan Company, led by its president George L. Ohrstrom, as a direct challenge to the Chrysler Corporation's planned Chrysler Building. A fierce but clandestine height competition ensued, with the architects secretly revising plans to exceed the announced height of their rival. Upon its completion in April 1930, it claimed the title of world's tallest building from the Woolworth Building, holding it for less than a month before the Chrysler Building unveiled its final spire. The building opened officially on May 26, 1930, during a period of immense economic turmoil following the Wall Street Crash of 1929. Throughout the mid-20th century, it served as a key financial hub, housing not only its namesake bank but also numerous law firms and investment trusts.

Architecture

Designed by architect H. Craig Severance in collaboration with Yasuo Matsui and the firm Shreve, Lamb & Harmon, the structure is a quintessential example of Art Deco architecture. Its form is characterized by a series of dramatic setbacks that comply with the 1916 New York City Zoning Resolution, creating a distinctive pyramidal crown. The exterior is clad in buff-colored Indiana limestone and granite, with intricate detailing including stylized eagles and geometric patterns. The crown, originally intended to be a mooring mast for dirigibles, features a distinctive pyramidal roof and a spire clad in copper and nickel. The lavish three-story banking hall was adorned with marble, bronze, and murals depicting the history of commerce.

Construction and engineering

Construction was managed by the renowned firm Starrett Brothers and Eken, with Gunvald Aus serving as the structural engineer. The project was built with remarkable speed, with the steel frame rising at a rate of four-and-a-half stories per week, completing the structural work in just eleven months. The foundation utilized deep caissons to reach bedrock, and the frame employed over 50,000 tons of steel. A significant innovation was the use of high-strength silicomanganese steel for the spandrel beams, allowing for larger window openings. The building's stability was famously tested in 1946 when a USAAF B-25 Mitchell bomber crashed into it in heavy fog, causing significant damage but no structural failure.

Cultural significance

The building is an enduring symbol of the ambitious skyscraper race of the late 1920s and the economic power of Wall Street. Its brief tenure as the world's tallest building is a famous chapter in the rivalry with the Chrysler Building and the Empire State Building. It has been featured in numerous films and television shows, including *King Kong* (1933) and Oliver Stone's *Wall Street* (1987), often representing the heart of American finance. The structure is a designated New York City Landmark and is listed on the National Register of Historic Places as part of the Wall Street Historic District.

Later use and ownership

Following a series of mergers, the Bank of Manhattan Company eventually became part of J.P. Morgan & Co., and the building ceased to be a bank headquarters. In 1995, it was purchased by Donald Trump and renamed the Trump Building, undergoing a significant restoration. The ownership later transferred to the Trump Organization and various investment partners. Today, it is primarily a commercial office tower, housing tenants such as the China Merchants Bank and various financial service firms. Despite name changes, it is still widely recognized by its original name in architectural and historical contexts.