It’s hard to quantify the exuberance of Art Deco. Its energy can make an immobile decorative element feel like it’s about to move. Its images jump off of flat surfaces. Its zigzags, lines, and circles seem to dance. Such is the quality of the lobby of 29 Broadway, a lesser-known beauty in New York’s Art Deco universe.
The architects Sloan and Robertson – John Sloan and T. Markoe Robertson – designed this beautiful, quirky-shaped, and wedding-cake setback-topped building near Bowling Green. In a city beset by the Great Depression’s joblessness and economic hard times, the building of 29 Broadway provided good work for construction workers and for the craftsmen who won awards from the New York Building Congress for the skill of their stone-cutting, marble-setting, and other work. (For a look at the exterior and more on the building’s history and the architects, see “The Art Deco Pleasures of 29 Broadway” on Mindfulwalker.com.) The 30-story building’s sculpted entrance, bold horizontal bands of black and white, and setbacks give it a soaring quality that taller skyscrapers achieve.
On a walking tour of some Lower Manhattan buildings that I led for the Jane’s Walk weekend in early May, we concluded the walk at 29 Broadway and were fortunate enough to gain access to the lobby of this 1931 commercial building and look around. It was evident in their snapping of photos and conversations how much those on the walk appreciated the gorgeous interior space of this 83-year-old building. During the prior week as I checked out 29 Broadway to gather some views of it, a building attendant – who was obviously proud of this space and the way that the building management maintains it – pointed out various elements of the vestibule and interior. So often, building employees and security attendants in the lobbies of these buildings show them off with pride, as he did. He may as well have been showing off his home.
The vestibule that leads from Broadway to the interior, with its marble in an alternate pattern of horizontal and vertical lines and a glittering mosaic ceiling, presages the beauty and sleekness of the lobby and first floor. Inside, the walls of slate green, white, and gray Cipollino marble, with their swirling and wavy ribs, are striking. The silver elevator doors have elaborate geometric fan motifs. Art Deco embraced and often evoked technology, travel, and the Machine Age. This was the era of Lindbergh’s transatlantic flight in 1927, ocean liners captivating the public, and transportation progress. The large, gorgeous silver metalwork “Letter Box,” still shiny as new, captures that Deco energy and allure in its images of an ocean liner, locomotive, and airplane. In one image is optimism, even in a period of economic trial and uncertainty. Thankfully, such images and shapes in silver and in stone, still spark our own moods and flights of fancy today. If ever there were a compact piece of the Jazz Age, this jewel of an entrance floor is it.
The mailbox at 29 Broadway
29 Broadway
One of the elevator doors
The elevator door’s patterns
The intercom in the lobby
The letter box surrounded by Cipollino marble
A screen on the first floor
Fine lettering
And Nearby…
To explore more in the Financial District, also check out:
Transported Back at 20 Exchange Place
Oh, you have done it again. I have never been in this building and it certainly is a beauty. Sad to say I used to work at 1 Wall Street — right down the road and never even knew this building existed.
Thank you again for sharing with all of us the beauty of New York — its history and its amazing architecture!
Kathy,
This building is one that a lot of people simply walk by or don’t know about. In fact, I came later to it! It really is a gem.
I didn’t know that you had worked at 1 Wall Street. You have worked at a couple of amazing places!
Wishing you the very best, and a Happy, Blessed New Year!
Susan
Happy and blessed New Year to you too, Susan. Just to let you know — I never worked at the Bowery Savings Bank — my Dad Big Charlie did, and I was a very ‘young’ helper when he would take my sister and me with him to the branch on 42nd Street.
Right before I went to college I had a ‘summer job’ at Bear Stearns at One Wall Street. They were a small company back then — just two floors, 16th and 17th floors, I believe. I had a lot of fun working there, too. I used to bring bananas to the men who worked in the ‘cage’ — I was just 17. Ahhh, memories!
I no longer live in the big city but if I ever get back there, I want to visit this wonderful structure. Next to the Bowery, I always loved the Chrysler Building, and this one seems like it is right there up there in the Art Deco design. Thanks again for all you do to promote the beauty of my home city! Peace
Kathy,
Yes, of course…I am not sure how my mind blipped on that for a moment, that your Dad worked at the Bowery — and you were a young helper.
I love that, and I’m so grateful about how you have shared those experiences in the comments of the Bowery Savings Bank piece. The memories of that place are what make it so rich, and it is easy to see how special and unique it was to the employees there. Wish I had met your Dad!
And now to learn that you worked at Bear when it was a smaller company, and in such a setting. You have have such wonderful experiences to tell. Great memories!
If/when you come back to the city, we could visit this building together, at 29 Broadway. It really is a beauty, one of my favorites, as the Bowery on 42nd Street is.
It’s my pleasure to share the beauty of your home and this amazing city.
Blessings, peace, and warm wishes to you today, Kathy.
Susan
You bring tears to my eyes, Susan. You are way too kind, and I love all your remarkable reports on these buildings and you capture the flavor of the city like no one I know.
I wish you could have known my Dad as well — I suspect he would have loved you and adopted you into the family
Blessings to you and your family and thank you for your offer for us to ultimately meet and see this building together. I never say never…so … til we meet whether in this forum or in my beloved home city… I wish you…
Peace, joy, discovery, love, and above all good health in this new year
Kathy O.
Kathy,
Thank you for such a beautiful, affirming message! I find it inspiring. Obviously, your Dad and you had a special bond, from all you have said.
And I wish you all of the same in the New Year, to a very special person.
Susan