Where is the Equitable Building located?

The Equitable Building is located at 120 Broadway in the Financial District of Lower Manhattan, situated between Pine and Cedar streets.

What is the Equitable Building known for?

When completed in 1915, it was the largest building in the world. It is also known for its Neoclassical style and for being controversial at the time of completion due to its lack of setbacks, which blocked sunlight from reaching surrounding streets.

What are the architectural features of the building?

Designed by Ernest R. Graham in the Neoclassical style, the building is 555 feet tall with 38 stories. Its façade is organized into three horizontal sections resembling a classical column's base, shaft, and capital.

Is the Equitable Building a historic site?

Yes, the building was designated a National Historic Landmark in 1978 and a city landmark by the New York City Landmarks Preservation Commission in 1996.

What is the history of the site?

The original Equitable Building was the first office building to feature passenger elevators but was destroyed by fire in 1912. The current successor building was completed on May 1, 1915.

What should I check before going?

Use Gyde for context, then check official sources for current hours, tickets, construction, and closures.

Equitable Building in New York City

What to know

The Equitable Building is a towering Neoclassical skyscraper located at 120 Broadway in Lower Manhattan’s Financial District, situated between Pine and Cedar streets. Completed on May 1, 1915, the structure was designed by Ernest R. Graham with Peirce Anderson as the architect-in-charge. At the time of its completion, it was recognized as the largest building in the world, boasting 38 stories and reaching a height of 555 feet. Architecturally, the building's façade is organized into three horizontal sections that resemble the base, shaft, and capital of a classical column. This design choice reflects the Neoclassical style of the early 20th century. Despite its grandeur, the building drew significant controversy upon its completion because of its lack of setbacks. This design choice meant that the building cast massive shadows on the surrounding ground, preventing sunlight from reaching the streets below. Historically, this site has a rich legacy of innovation. The original Equitable Building, which preceded the current structure, was the first office building to feature passenger elevators. It also served as the early home for the New York Law School, which occupied offices on the fifth floor and a lecture hall on the eighth floor, utilizing a law library containing 13,000 volumes. Today, the building is a National Historic Landmark, designated in 1978, and a city landmark by the New York City Landmarks Preservation Commission in 1996. It is currently owned by Silverstein Properties, who purchased the building in 1980 and have since performed multiple renovations to maintain its 1.9 million square feet of space.

Visitor tips

Look up at the façade to see the column-like structure of the base, shaft, and capital.
Observe the lack of setbacks on the building's sides to understand why it caused so many shadows.
Visit during the mid-day to see how the building's massing affects the light on Broadway.
Allow about 20 minutes to explore the exterior and read about its landmark status.

Nearby context

Located in the heart of the Financial District, the Equitable Building stands as a testament to the early 20th-century skyscraper boom. It is surrounded by modern high-rises and the dense grid of narrow streets typical of Lower Manhattan.

Quick facts