Cass Gilbert's Woolworth BuildingMain MenuIntroductionArchitectural Drawings of the Woolworth BuildingThese 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 ComparisonsConstructionContemporary ReactionsEngineeringHistorical ContextRepresentations of the Woolworth Building in Visual Art and LiteratureSkyscraper StyleUrban ContextBibliographyEllen Dement42442c14bff120b6e83827404fe0b851fdc8a6df
Detail, Screen Between Cafe & Restaurant, Superseded
12017-03-06T07:25:55-08:00Ellen Dement42442c14bff120b6e83827404fe0b851fdc8a6df146341Courtesy of Vanderbilt University Fine Arts Gallery. Partial gift of Gwen and Don Reiman, with additional acquisitions support provided by the Vanderbilt University Fine Arts Collections Fund, and the Andrew W. Mellon Chair in the Humanities.plain2017-03-06T07:25:55-08:00Ellen Dement42442c14bff120b6e83827404fe0b851fdc8a6df
12017-01-27T14:54:39-08:00Rathskeller27plain2017-12-15T18:02:47-08:00The Woolworth Building included a variety of attractions for the enjoyment of both its tenants and tourists visiting New York. One of these was a Rathskeller, or a beer hall inspired by medieval Germany. "Ratskeller" is a German word for a beer hall, usually adapted as "rathskeller" in the United States. There were several of these establishments across the United States, including one in the Astor Hotel which opened in New York in 1904. The inclusion of this space in the Woolworth Building reflected F.W. Woolworth's desire to include cultural attractions in his company's headquarters to increase its appeal and acclaim. The restaurant was operated by A.H. Meyers, and postcards showing the space include his name.
The restaurant was located in a vaulted space in the building's basement. It included a bar and was furnished by the Plate Studios.
The space was decorated with fresco paintings showing scenes from medieval Germany. The painting in the Rathskeller was overseen by Frederick J. Wiley, who worked with a team of over a dozen assistants. Cass Gilbert had the Rathskeller's paintings covered during World War I, when patrons criticized their association with Germany.
A 1914 menu from the restaurant continued the German theme with dishes like "Rheinwein Suppe" and "Ochsenmaul Salat."
This drawing shows proposed screens between the Rathskeller restaurant and a cafe, as well as the restaurant's bar.
