Cass Gilbert's Woolworth Building Main Menu Introduction Architectural Drawings of the Woolworth Building These pages contain original architectural drawings from Vanderbilt University Fine Art Gallery's Reiman Collection, completed by Cass Gilbert's architectural office between 1911 and 1913. Architectural Comparisons Construction Contemporary Reactions Engineering Historical Context Representations of the Woolworth Building in Visual Art and Literature Skyscraper Style Urban Context Bibliography

Lobby

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The first floor of the Woolworth Building has a monumental lobby flanked by shops. The lobby lies along the plan's main axis, perpendicular to the Broadway entrance. A secondary cross-axis connects Park Place and Barclay Street, in addition to housing the entrances to the building's elevators.

The barrel-vaulted lobby recalls the naves of Romanesque cathedrals, with mosaics and marble details contributing to the space's monumental effect.  F.W. Woolworth intended for his company's headquarters to be a physical expression of his company's success, and the lobby, replete with luxurious decorations, dazzled visitors.

The shops shown on the plan were rented to vendors, providing additional income for the Woolworth Company. These shops were accessible from both the lobby and the street outside. The grand central staircase led to Irving National Bank, whose lobby and headquarters were located on the second floor.

This drawing shows a staircase in the entrance hall near the Broadway entrance, with details about its materials. As this modern photo shows, the staircase has a coffered ceiling and marble walls and floors. The staircase originally led to the offices of the Broadway Trust Company, a property company who officially owned the Woolworth Building and whose majority shareholder was F.W. Woolworth.

This drawing is a section of the transverse and arcade, showing details of various parts of the entrance hall.

This drawing shows an elevation of the lobby that includes the main staircase.

This page has paths:

  1. Architectural Drawings of the Woolworth Building Ellen Dement

Contents of this path:

  1. Drawing of Staircase to Second Floor, near Broadway Entrance, Superseded, same as CIDOC-CRM E42 Object identifier
  2. Details of Entrance Hall and Arcade, Superseded, same as CIDOC-CRM E42 Object identifier
  3. No title [Lobby Showcase and Detail], same as CIDOC-CRM D42 Object identifier

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