Car Rental in New York and the Woolworth Building

The Woolworth Building is one of the oldest and most famous skyscrapers you can visit with your car rental in New York. More than ninety years after being built, it is still one of the fifty tallest buildings in the United States and the twenty tallest buildings in New York City.

The building was commissioned by Frank Woolworth in 1910 for a corporate headquarters on Broadway in Lower Manhattan and was paid for in cash. The building is done in a neo-Gothic style, made to resemble European Gothic cathedrals. It was the tallest building in the world until the construction of 40 Wall Street and the Chrysler Building were constructed. As you may learn when you visit with your car rental in New York, there was an observation deck here on the 58th floor that was open to visitors until 1945.

Have you seen Godzilla?

Another famous New York landmark that you may want to see after the Woolworth Building is the Empire State Building. This is another one of New York's most recognizable landmarks as you drive through the city with your car rental in New York. It kept the title for 40 years until the World Trade Center was completed. Construction of the building was really a race to the top rather than a climb. The Chrysler Building and 40 Wall Street were under construction and competing for the same title when the Empire State Building was started. Both held the title of the tallest building for less than a year. When you visit with your car rental in New York you will learn that the opening of the Empire State Building coincided with the Great Depression. And while there was initial excitement over the manmade marvel, much of the office space remained unrented because businesses just couldn't afford it. People began to call it the "Empty State Building". It wasn't until the 1950s that the building became profitable.

The distinctive spire of the building was originally designed to be a mooring mast for airships and dirigibles. The 102nd floor was supposed to be a landing platform, with an elevator from the 102nd floor to the 86ths floor where there is an observation deck. This plan was proven very ineffective and dangerous. The reason: the size of the building itself caused powerful updrafts that inhibited the ships from landing.

Made in America

Another famous building is the Chrysler Building. Construction of this building began in late 1928. When it was completed, it was the world's tallest skyscraper until the Empire State Building was completed. The style of the Chrysler Building, which you will see when you visit with your car rental in New York, is that of the Art Deco period. When you walk into the lobby, there is a distinct style. In the corners of all the floors you will find eagles, which are replicas of the 1929 Chrysler hood ornaments. On the 31st floor, you will find replicas of the radiator caps instead of the hood ornaments. The entire building is made of masonry, with a steel frame and metal cladding. One interesting thing to note before you visit with your car rental in New York is that the top floors are very narrow with low sloped ceilings. They were designed more for the exterior of the building and have no real functions except to hold radio and broadcasting equipment.

There are many interesting buildings to visit with your car rental in New York. Take a tour of the city and see these architectural masterpieces.