Starrett Brothers and Eken

Starrett Brothers and Eken was a prominent American construction and real estate development firm active during the Interwar period in the 1920s and 1930s. Founded by the experienced Paul Starrett, his brother Colonel William A. Starrett, and financier Andrew J. Eken, the partnership became renowned for erecting some of the most iconic skyscrapers in New York City. The firm's innovative techniques and bold projects played a pivotal role in shaping the architectural landscape of Manhattan during a period of intense vertical growth, culminating in its crowning achievement, the Empire State Building.

History

The firm's origins are rooted in the extensive construction experience of the Starrett family, particularly Paul Starrett, who had previously led the George A. Fuller Company, a major general contractor for early skyscrapers like the Flatiron Building. Following World War I, Paul Starrett partnered with his brother, Colonel William A. Starrett, a decorated veteran and engineer, and Andrew J. Eken, a savvy financial manager from the Fuller company. Officially formed around 1922, the partnership leveraged the Starrett brothers' technical prowess and Eken's fiscal acumen to capitalize on the Roaring Twenties construction boom in New York City. Their early success with projects like the New York Biltmore Hotel and One Wall Street established their reputation, leading to their selection for the monumental Empire State Building project in 1929. The firm navigated the onset of the Great Depression to complete that iconic tower in 1931 but, with the construction industry severely depressed afterwards, the partnership was effectively dissolved by the end of the 1930s.

Notable projects

The portfolio of the firm is distinguished by several landmark structures that defined the New York City skyline. Among their earliest major commissions was the luxurious New York Biltmore Hotel, adjacent to Grand Central Terminal, which showcased their capability for large-scale, high-quality work. They followed this with the elegant Art Deco skyscraper at One Wall Street (originally the Irving Trust Company Building) in the heart of the Financial District. Their most celebrated achievement was, unequivocally, the Empire State Building. As the general contractor, the firm managed the entire unprecedented construction process, coordinating thousands of workers from structural steel erectors to masons and plumbers, to complete the world's tallest building in a record 410 days. Other significant projects included the Lincoln Building on 42nd Street and the Downtown Athletic Club, home of the Heisman Trophy.

Business model and operations

The firm operated as a comprehensive general contractor, taking full responsibility for the entire construction process from groundbreaking to completion. This model required close coordination with architects like Shreve, Lamb and Harmon (designers of the Empire State Building) and cross-disciplinary teams of specialized subcontractors. Financially, Andrew J. Eken implemented rigorous cost-control and scheduling systems, which were critical for managing the immense budgets and tight deadlines of their skyscraper projects. A hallmark of their operational innovation was the pioneering use of a dedicated materials-handling railway and strategically placed derricks and hoists on the Empire State Building site, which allowed for the just-in-time delivery of thousands of tons of limestone, steel, and other materials, drastically accelerating the pace of construction in the dense urban environment of Midtown Manhattan.

Legacy and impact

The legacy of the firm is permanently etched into the architectural history of the United States through its built works. The Empire State Building remains a global icon of American ingenuity and ambition, a testament to the firm's unparalleled skill in project management and construction logistics during the Machine Age. Their methods established new standards of efficiency and scale for high-rise construction, influencing subsequent generations of contractors and engineers. While the partnership was relatively short-lived, its impact was profound, demonstrating that with innovative planning and disciplined execution, architectural visions of unprecedented scale could be realized, even in the face of immense economic challenges like the Great Depression. The firm's story is integral to the narrative of skyscraper construction in the early 20th century.

Category:Construction and civil engineering companies of the United States Category:Defunct companies based in New York City Category:Skyscraper construction and engineering