DeWitt, Poor and Shelton

DeWitt, Poor and Shelton. An American architectural firm active in New York City during the Interwar period, primarily known for its significant contributions to Art Deco and Skyscraper design. Founded in 1921, the partnership was a successor office to the renowned practice of Bertram Grosvenor Goodhue and played a crucial role in shaping the iconic skyline of Manhattan. The firm dissolved in 1941, but its major works remain celebrated landmarks of early 20th-century commercial architecture.

History

The firm was established in 1921 following the death of master architect Bertram Grosvenor Goodhue. Goodhue's chief assistants, Frank J. Forster and William E. Lehman, initially continued the practice as Mayers, Murray & Phillip. However, a separate entity was formed by other key figures from Goodhue's office, including C. B. J. Snyder, to complete specific commercial projects. This group evolved into the formal partnership known by its principal names. The firm capitalized on the construction boom of the Roaring Twenties, securing major commissions for corporate headquarters in midtown Manhattan. Its trajectory was closely tied to the fortunes of the New York Central Railroad and its real estate subsidiary. The onset of the Great Depression and the subsequent economic slowdown led to the firm's dissolution in 1941, with its principals pursuing individual careers thereafter.

Notable projects

The firm's most famous and enduring work is the Chrysler Building, completed in 1930 and long the world's tallest building before being surpassed by the Empire State Building. This project was developed for Walter P. Chrysler and is celebrated for its innovative design and lavish ornamentation. Another seminal project was the General Electric Building (also known as 570 Lexington Avenue), completed in 1931 for the RCA. The building is noted for its dramatic crown and intricate facade detailing. The firm also designed the Lincoln Building at 60 East 42nd Street, a large office tower completed in 1930. These structures, all located within a few blocks of each other, form a core group of pre-World War II architectural masterpieces in New York City.

Architectural style

DeWitt, Poor and Shelton became leading exponents of the Art Deco style, particularly in its application to tall commercial structures. Their work synthesized the modern, vertical emphasis of the Skyscraper with rich decorative programs inspired by contemporary themes of speed, technology, and commerce. Designs often featured distinctive crown elements, intricate metal spires, and facades adorned with stylized geometric patterns and symbolic motifs. The use of materials like stainless steel, Nirosta, colored Terracotta, and elaborate lobby murals was characteristic. While firmly within the Art Deco movement, their buildings also subtly reflected the earlier Gothic influences of their training under Bertram Grosvenor Goodhue, especially in the vertical lines and ornate detailing.

Legacy and influence

The firm's buildings, especially the Chrysler Building, are universally recognized icons of New York City and seminal monuments of American Art Deco architecture. They have been designated New York City Landmarks and are listed on the National Register of Historic Places. These structures are frequently studied in architectural history for their innovative engineering, such as the use of a Vierendeel truss, and their role in the competitive "race to the sky" among developers like Walter P. Chrysler and John J. Raskob. The firm's work profoundly influenced the visual character of midtown Manhattan and continues to be a major reference point for later architects working in the Skyscraper genre.

Key personnel

The partnership's name derived from its three principal figures: C. B. J. (Charles B. J.) Snyder, who had a prominent prior career as Superintendent of School Buildings for the New York City Department of Education; Frederic C. Hirons, a designer known for his decorative work; and William Van Alen, though Van Alen's role was complex due to his simultaneous independent work on the Chrysler Building. Other important designers and draftsmen associated with the firm included R. H. Shreve of the later firm Shreve, Lamb and Harmon, and Theodore E. Blake. The firm's collaborative nature meant that while the principals provided oversight, the iconic designs were often the product of talented in-house designers and outside consulting engineers.