James A. Farley Post Office

James A. Farley Post Office. The James A. Farley Post Office is a historic post office building located in New York City, Manhattan, and is named after James A. Farley, the 53rd United States Postmaster General. It was designed by the renowned architectural firm McKim, Mead & White, which also designed other notable buildings such as the Boston Public Library and the Brooklyn Museum. The building has been listed on the National Register of Historic Places since 1973 and is also a designated New York City Landmark.

● History

The James A. Farley Post Office was built in 1912 and was originally known as the Pennsylvania Station Post Office. It was designed to serve the Pennsylvania Station and the surrounding area, which was a major transportation hub at the time. The building was named after James A. Farley in 1982, who served as the United States Postmaster General from 1933 to 1940 and was a close advisor to Franklin D. Roosevelt. During his tenure, Farley played a key role in the development of the United States Postal Service and was instrumental in the implementation of the New Deal programs, including the Works Progress Administration and the Civilian Conservation Corps. The building has also been associated with other notable figures, including Eleanor Roosevelt and Harry S. Truman.

● Architecture

The James A. Farley Post Office is an example of Beaux-Arts architecture, which was a popular style in the early 20th century. The building features a grand clock tower and a large portico with Corinthian columns, similar to those found in other notable buildings such as the United States Capitol and the New York Public Library. The building's design was influenced by the works of Charles Follen McKim and Stanford White, who were both partners in the McKim, Mead & White firm. The building's architecture has been compared to other notable buildings, including the Grand Central Terminal and the Pennsylvania Station, which was designed by Charles Follen McKim.

● Location

The James A. Farley Post Office is located in Midtown Manhattan, near the Hudson River and the Pennsylvania Station. The building is situated on a large block bounded by 8th Avenue, 9th Avenue, and 31st Street, and is adjacent to the Madison Square Garden and the Hudson Yards development. The building is also close to other notable landmarks, including the Empire State Building, the Chrysler Building, and the New York Times Building. The area is served by several New York City Subway lines, including the A, C, and E trains, which stop at the 34th Street – Penn Station station.

● Renovations_and_restoration

The James A. Farley Post Office has undergone several renovations and restorations over the years, including a major restoration project in the 1980s. The project was led by the United States Postal Service and the New York City Landmarks Preservation Commission, and involved the restoration of the building's exterior and interior, including the clock tower and the portico. The project also included the installation of new elevators and mechanical systems, as well as the restoration of the building's historic mail sorting facilities. The building has also been adapted for new uses, including the creation of a large event space and the relocation of the United States Postal Service headquarters to the building.

● Notable_features

The James A. Farley Post Office features several notable elements, including a large atrium with a skylight and a grand staircase. The building also features a large mural by the artist Ben Shahn, which depicts the history of the United States Postal Service. The building's clock tower is also a notable feature, and offers stunning views of the surrounding area, including the Hudson River and the New Jersey Palisades. The building has been used as a filming location for several movies and television shows, including the HBO series The Sopranos and the movie The Amazing Spider-Man 2. The building is also home to a large post office branch, which serves the surrounding community and offers a range of mail and shipping services. Category:Post offices in New York City