Editing Equitable Building (Manhattan)

{{Short description|Office skyscraper in Manhattan, New York}}
{{About|the 1915 building on Broadway|the 1870 building constructed on this same site|Equitable Life Building (Manhattan)|the 1985 building on Seventh Avenue|Axa Equitable Center}}
{{Good article}}
{{Use mdy dates|date=May 2022}}
{{Infobox NRHP
| name                     = Equitable Building
| nrhp_type                = nhl
| image                    = Equitable Building (Manhattan).jpg
| image_size               = 300
| caption                  = The building in 2010
| location                 = 120 [[Broadway (Manhattan)|Broadway]]<br />[[Manhattan]], [[New York City]]
| map_label                = Equitable Building
| district_map             = {{Maplink|frame=yes|plain=yes|frame-align=center|frame-width=300|frame-height=300|zoom=14|type=shape|stroke-color=#f44|id=Q1347892|title=Equitable Building (Manhattan)}}
| coordinates              = {{coord|40|42|30|N|74|00|37|W|region:US-NY_type:landmark|display=it}}
| built                    = 1913–1915<ref name=aia/>
| architect                = [[Ernest R. Graham (architect)|Ernest R. Graham]]
| architecture             = [[Neoclassicism|Neoclassical]]
| designated_nrhp_type     = June 2, 1978<ref name="nhlsum2"/>
| added                    = June 2, 1978<ref name="nris">{{NRISref|2007a}}</ref>
| refnum                   = 78001869
| nrhp_type2               = indcp
| partof                   = [[Wall Street Historic District (Manhattan)|Wall Street Historic District]]
| partof_refnum            = 07000063<ref name="Howe">{{cite web |url=https://catalog.archives.gov/id/75320043 <!-- Very large file; 218 MB -->|title=National Register of Historic Places Registration Form: Wall Street Historic District |last1=Howe |first1=Kathy |last2=Robins |first2=Anthony |date=August 3, 2006 |publisher=[[National Register of Historic Places]] |access-date=July 7, 2024|via=[[National Archives (United States)|National Archives]]}}</ref>
| designated_nrhp_type2    = February 20, 2007
| nocat                    = yes
| designated_other1        = New York State Register of Historic Places
| designated_other1_abbr   = NYSRHP
| designated_other1_date   = June 23, 1980<ref name="Cultural Resource Information System">{{cite web | title=Cultural Resource Information System (CRIS) | publisher=[[New York State Office of Parks, Recreation and Historic Preservation]] | date=November 7, 2014 | url=https://cris.parks.ny.gov/ | access-date=July 20, 2023}}</ref>
| designated_other1_number = 06101.001692
| designated_other1_num_position = bottom
| designated_other2_name   = New York City Landmark
| designated_other2_date   = June 25, 1996
| designated_other2_abbr   = NYCL
| designated_other2_link   = New York City Landmarks Preservation Commission
| designated_other2_number = 1935
| designated_other2_color  = #FFE978
}}

The '''Equitable Building''' is an office skyscraper located at 120 [[Broadway (Manhattan)|Broadway]] between Pine and Cedar streets in the [[Financial District, Manhattan|Financial District]] of [[Lower Manhattan]] in [[New York City]]. The skyscraper was designed by [[Ernest R. Graham (architect)|Ernest R. Graham]] in the [[neoclassicism|neoclassical]] style, with Peirce Anderson as the architect-in-charge. It is {{Convert|555|ft|m|abbr=}} tall, with 38 stories and {{convert|1.2|e6sqft|m2}} of floor space. The building's [[Articulation (architecture)|articulation]] consists of three horizontal sections similar to the components of a [[column]], namely a base, shaft, and [[Capital (architecture)|capital]].

The Equitable Building replaced the [[Equitable Life Building (Manhattan)|Equitable Life Building]], the previous headquarters of the [[AXA Equitable Life Insurance Company|Equitable Life Insurance Company]], which burned down in 1912. Work on the Equitable Building started in 1913 and was completed in 1915. Upon opening, it was the largest office building in the world by floor area. The Equitable Building hosted a variety of tenants and, by the 1920s, was the most valuable building in New York City. The Equitable Life Insurance Company, the building's namesake, occupied a small portion of the building until it moved out during 1960. The owner {{As of|2022||lc=y}}, [[Silverstein Properties]], purchased the Equitable Building in 1980 and has renovated it multiple times.

Upon its completion, the Equitable Building was controversial because of its lack of [[Setback (architecture)|setbacks]], which in turn does not allow sunlight to reach the surrounding ground. This contributed to the adoption of the first modern building and [[zoning]] restrictions on vertical structures in Manhattan, the [[1916 Zoning Resolution]]. The building was designated a [[National Historic Landmark]] in 1978 and was designated a city landmark by the [[New York City Landmarks Preservation Commission]] in 1996. It is also a contributing property to the [[Wall Street Historic District (Manhattan)|Wall Street Historic District]], a NRHP district created in 2007.

==Site==

The building occupies the entire block bounded by Broadway to the west, Cedar Street to the north, Nassau Street to the east, and Pine Street to the south. The dimensions of the block are irregular.<ref name="NYCityMap">{{Cite web|title=NYCityMap|url=http://maps.nyc.gov/|website=NYC.gov|publisher=[[New York City Department of Information Technology and Telecommunications]]|access-date=March 20, 2020|archive-date=February 19, 2021|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20210219214900/http://maps.nyc.gov/doitt/nycitymap/|url-status=live}}</ref><ref name="Korom p. 316">{{harvnb|Korom|2008|ps=.|p=316}}</ref> The building has a [[frontage]] of approximately {{Convert|167|ft||abbr=}} on Broadway, {{Convert|312|ft||abbr=}} on Cedar Street, {{Convert|152|ft||abbr=}} on Nassau Street, and {{Convert|304|ft||abbr=}} on Pine Street.<ref name="Korom p. 316" /><ref name="REM p. 23">{{harvnb|''The Real Estate Magazine''|1915|ps=.|p=23}}</ref><ref name="NYCL p. 6">{{harvnb|Landmarks Preservation Commission|1996|ps=.|p=6}}</ref>{{efn|Sources disagree on the exact dimensions, but these are accurate to about {{Convert|3|ft||abbr=}} of each other.<ref name="Korom p. 316" /><ref name="REM p. 23"/><ref name="NYCL p. 6"/> The "frontage" of this building is the length of each side of the building at street level but, due to the irregular quadrilateral shape, is distinct from the width.<ref name="REM p. 23"/><!-- This is explained after Page 23 of Issue 2 (February 1915), Real Estate Magazine.-->}} The plot is shaped like a [[trapezoid]], with the Nassau Street and Broadway frontages being almost parallel.<ref name="Chappell p. 108">{{harvnb|Chappell|1992|ps=.|p=108}}</ref> The plot covers about {{Convert|48,000|-|49000|abbr=|ft2}};<ref name="REM p. 23" /><ref name="NYCL p. 4" /> according to the [[New York City Department of City Planning]], the building has a lot area of {{convert|49,614|ft2}}.<ref name="ZoLa">{{Cite web|title=120 Broadway, 10271|url=https://zola.planning.nyc.gov/l/lot/1/47/7501#17.86/40.708166/-74.009598|access-date=September 8, 2020|publisher=[[New York City Department of City Planning]]|archive-date=April 24, 2022|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20220424185245/https://zola.planning.nyc.gov/l/lot/1/47/7501#17.86/40.708166/-74.009598|url-status=live}}</ref> The building is assigned its own [[ZIP Code]], 10271; it was one of 41 buildings in Manhattan that had their own ZIP Codes {{as of|2019|lc=y}}.<ref name="Brown 2019">{{cite web | last=Brown | first=Nicole | title=Why do some buildings have their own ZIP codes? NYCurious | website=amNewYork | date=March 18, 2019 | url=https://www.amny.com/news/nyc-zip-codes-1-28558957/ | access-date=July 8, 2022}}</ref>

There are numerous buildings and structures immediately adjacent to the Equitable Building. [[Zuccotti Park]] is located to the northwest, while [[140 Broadway]] is to the north and [[28 Liberty Street]] is to the northeast. [[Federal Hall|Federal Hall National Memorial]] is to the southeast and [[14 Wall Street]] and the [[American Surety Building]] are to the south. Across Broadway to the west and southwest are the [[Trinity and United States Realty Buildings]].<ref name="NYCityMap" />

==Architecture==
The Equitable Building, an [[Early skyscrapers|early skyscraper]], was designed by [[Ernest R. Graham (architect)|Ernest R. Graham]] of [[D. H. Burnham & Company]] (later [[Graham, Anderson, Probst & White]]),<ref name="aia">{{cite aia5|page=39}}</ref>{{efn|D. H. Burnham & Company was renamed Graham, Burnham & Co. in 1912; the firm later became Graham, Anderson, Probst & White.<ref name="Chappell p. 104" />}} with Peirce Anderson as the architect-in-charge.<ref name="nycland">{{cite nycland|page=13}}</ref> In contrast to the contemporary [[Metropolitan Life Insurance Company Tower]], [[Singer Building]], and [[Woolworth Building]], the Equitable Building was designed as a bulky mass, rather than a "slender, romantic tower". This was affected by the fact that the other three buildings were corporate symbols from renowned architects, while the Equitable Building was a speculative development whose designer had little experience in New York City.<ref name="NYCL p. 3">{{harvnb|Landmarks Preservation Commission|1996|ps=.|p=3}}</ref> The ultimate design was distinct from corporate structures such as the Met Life Tower or restrained office buildings such as the [[Flatiron Building]],<ref name="Chappell p. 108" /> and raised substantial controversy upon its completion.<ref name="REM p. 11">{{harvnb|''The Real Estate Magazine''|1915|ps=.|p=11}}</ref>

The [[Articulation (architecture)|articulation]] consists of three horizontal sections similar to the components of a [[column]], namely a base, shaft, and [[Capital (architecture)|capital]].<ref name="NYCL p. 3" /><ref name="LC p. 392">{{harvnb|Landau|Condit|1996|ps=.|p=392}}</ref><ref name="NPS p. 2">{{harvnb|National Park Service|1978|ps=.|p=2}}</ref> The exterior is inspired from Greek and Roman architecture. In total, it is {{Convert|555|ft||abbr=}} tall when the [[Penthouse apartment|penthouse]]'s center tower is included; a separate measurement of {{Convert|545|ft||abbr=}} is given when measured to the top of the other penthouses, and the height excluding any of the penthouses is {{Convert|525|ft||abbr=}}.<ref name="REM pp. 21, 23" /><ref name="bde19150516">{{cite news|date=May 16, 1915|title=Equitable Building a City in Itself|page=15|work=Brooklyn Daily Eagle|url=https://bklyn.newspapers.com/clip/27284748/|access-date=May 12, 2020|via=Brooklyn Public Library; newspapers.com|archive-date=April 24, 2022|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20220424185250/https://bklyn.newspapers.com/clip/27284748/the-brooklyn-daily-eagle/|url-status=live}}</ref>

=== Form ===
Although the Equitable Building is 40 stories tall with {{Convert|555|ft||abbr=}}, this includes two stories in the building's [[penthouse apartment|penthouses]] as well as two "interior stories" that are not visible from the [[facade]].<ref name="REM pp. 21, 23" /> The interior stories are located at the 3rd and 34th floors,<ref name="nyt19140524">{{Cite news|date=May 24, 1914|title=Subway Festival Held in Brooklyn; McCall Turns the First Sod for Interborough Extension from Atlantic Ave.|language=en-US|work=The New York Times|url=https://www.nytimes.com/1914/05/24/archives/subway-festival-held-in-brooklyn-mccall-turns-the-first-sod-for.html|access-date=May 12, 2020|issn=0362-4331|archive-date=November 3, 2020|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20201103081536/https://www.nytimes.com/1914/05/24/archives/subway-festival-held-in-brooklyn-mccall-turns-the-first-sod-for.html|url-status=live}}</ref> and there are three basement levels.<ref name="REM p. 21" />  The exterior of the building thus consists of 36 stories with a total height of {{Convert|525|ft||abbr=}}.<ref name="REM pp. 21, 23">{{harvnb|''The Real Estate Magazine''|1915|ps=.|pp=21, 23}}</ref> Originally, the structure was proposed as a 42-story skyscraper, but this was reduced to 36 effective stories to maximize [[elevator]] safety and speed, given the assumption that 50,000 people visited the building each day and that there were 48 elevators that could each serve 1,200 people an hour.<ref name="Chappell p. 106">{{harvnb|Chappell|1992|ps=.|p=106}}</ref>

The Equitable Building has no [[Setback (land use)|setback]] from the street beyond the depth of the sidewalk.<ref name="Enc-NYC-skyskrapers">Smith, Caleb. "Equitable Building" in {{cite enc-nyc2|page=418}}</ref> This is because Graham wanted the building to have the latest technological systems, such as elevators, heating, ventilation, and fireproofing, while also maximizing usable office space.<ref name="NYCL p. 4">{{harvnb|Landmarks Preservation Commission|1996|ps=.|p=4}}</ref><ref name="Chappell p. 104">{{harvnb|Chappell|1992|ps=.|p=104}}</ref> Two light courts (recesses), one each to the east and west, bisect the facades above the seventh floor.<ref name="Chappell p. 108" /><ref name="REM p. 24">{{harvnb|''The Real Estate Magazine''|1915|ps=.|p=24}}</ref> As a result, the Equitable Building appears in the shape of the letter H when viewed from above.<ref name="REM p. 23" /><ref name="LC p. 392" /><ref name="Chappell p. 107">{{harvnb|Chappell|1992|ps=.|p=107}}</ref> The design of the Equitable Building is similar to that of the now-demolished [[Hudson Terminal]] office buildings and the [[49 Chambers]] building.<ref name="LC p. 392" /> The two-story penthouse is {{Convert|30|ft||abbr=}} tall;<ref name="REM p. 23" /> the penthouse roof is {{Convert|20|ft||abbr=}} tall, but the center tower rises another {{Convert|10|ft||abbr=}}.<ref name="bde19150516" />

=== Facade ===
[[File:Equitable Building 120 Broadway entrance.jpg|left|thumb|Building entrance]]
The building's facade is made of brick, granite, and terracotta,<ref name="Korom p. 316" /><ref name="LC p. 392" /><ref name="NPS p. 2" /> and white [[Yule Marble]] and iron are also used in the building.<ref name="Korom p. 316" /> The granite, brick, and [[marble]] were estimated to be {{Convert|250,000|ST|LT t|abbr=}}.<ref name="bde19150516" /><ref name="REM p. 21">{{harvnb|''The Real Estate Magazine''|1915|ps=.|p=21}}</ref> Anderson designed the facade with a base, shaft, and capital, similar to the [[Broadway–Chambers Building]] by [[Cass Gilbert]], but with facades on all sides.<ref name="NYCL pp. 4-5">{{harvnb|Landmarks Preservation Commission|1996|ps=.|pp=4–5}}</ref> The building contains eighteen vertical window [[Bay (architecture)|bays]] each on the Pine and Cedar Street facades, and seven bays each on the Broadway and Nassau Street facades, three on each wing of the "H".<ref name="NYCL p. 6" /><ref name="NPS p. 2" /> The window bays each consist of two windows on each floor, except the center bay on Broadway and Nassau Street, which includes three windows on the 5th through 7th floors.<ref name="NYCL p. 6" />

The lowest four stories were made of granite, while the 5th through 7th stories have a facade of granite and terracotta.<ref name="REM p. 23" /> On Broadway and Nassau Street, there are [[Corinthian order|Corinthian]]-style [[pilaster]]s, which are {{Convert|54|ft||abbr=}} tall and topped by ornamented [[Capital (architecture)|capitals]]. Double-height arches with three revolving doors are located at the centers of these facades.<ref name="Chappell p. 108" /><ref name="NPS p. 2" /><ref name="REM p. 24" /> Above this is a plaque reading {{Smallcaps|equitable building}} on the third story,<ref name="NYCL p. 6" /><ref name="NPS p. 5">{{harvnb|National Park Service|1978|ps=.|p=5}}</ref> as well as an ornamented terracotta [[frieze]] at the fourth story, which is {{Convert|12|ft||abbr=}} wide.<ref name="REM p. 24" /> The entrances on Cedar Street and Pine Street are more plainly designed with narrower square arches; the doors are located below green marble panels.<ref name="REM p. 24" /><ref name="NYCL p. 7">{{harvnb|Landmarks Preservation Commission|1996|ps=.|p=7}}</ref> The remaining windows on the first floor are stainless-steel show windows, which illuminate the commercial spaces inside. Though most of the commercial space is accessed from the lobby, there is also a service entrance and a shop entrance from the Cedar Street side.<ref name="NYCL p. 7" /> The window openings on the second, third, fifth, and sixth floors are separated by vertical [[mullion]]s and horizontal [[spandrel]] panels made of green terracotta. Flagpoles hang from the seventh story.<ref name="NYCL p. 6" />

The 8th through 38th stories were made of light gray brick and matching terracotta trim.<ref name="REM pp. 23-24">{{harvnb|''The Real Estate Magazine''|1915|ps=.|pp=23–24}}</ref> On the Broadway and Nassau Street facades, the light court divides the primary facades into two wings, each with three window bays. The portions of the facade facing these light courts are faced with brick.<ref name="REM p. 24" /><ref name="NYCL p. 7" /> Medallions with cornices are located at the corners of the building at the 7th and 31st floors.<ref name="NYCL p. 7" /> There is no ornamentation on the 8th through 30th floors, while there are [[belt course]]s below the 31st and 32nd floors. The facade between the 32nd and 35th floors is composed of a [[colonnade]] with terracotta pilasters between each column of windows, topped by ornamented capitals. The colonnade terminates at the top of the 35th floor, where there is an elaborate [[cornice]]. Another belt course separates the 36th and 37th floors, and a cornice is located above the 38th floor.<ref name="REM p. 24" /><ref name="NPS p. 5" /><ref name="NYCL p. 7" />

The top of the building, composed of the penthouse, is faced with brick and terracotta.<ref name="REM p. 21" /><ref name="NYCL p. 7" /> It contains pilasters similar to the lower sections of the building.<ref name="REM p. 24" /> The main penthouse, atop the center of the "H", has dimensions of {{Convert|85|by|120|ft|abbr=}}.<ref name="REM p. 23" /> Penthouses are located atop the wings as well.<ref name="NYCL p. 7" />

=== Features ===
Upon its completion, the Equitable Building was the largest office building in the world by total area.<ref name="nycland" /> The building had {{convert|1.2|e6sqft|m2}} of floor space,<ref name="aia" /><ref name="REM p. 21" /><ref name="Chappell p. 109">{{harvnb|Chappell|1992|ps=.|p=109}}</ref> and each of the upper stories has {{Convert|30,000|ft2||abbr=}} due to the H-shaped footprints.<ref name="NPS p. 2" /><ref name="REM p. 21" /> A fact sheet published at the time of the Equitable Building's completion estimated that it had approximately 5,000 windows and 10,000 doors.<ref name="REM p. 21" />

==== Structural features ====
The foundations descended to {{Convert|85|ft||abbr=}} below ground level.<ref name="NYCL p. 4" /><ref name="NPS p. 2" /><ref name="REM p. 21" /> The foundation is surrounded by a concrete [[cofferdam]] which measures {{Convert|6|ft||abbr=}} wide and is reinforced by steel rods.<ref name="NPS p. 2" /><ref name="REM pp. 21, 23" /> Within the foundation are eighty piers, each of made of concrete and steel.<ref name="NPS p. 2" /><ref name="bde19150516" /><ref name="REM p. 21" /> A retaining wall between Cedar and Pine Streets is used to reinforce two of the cellar levels for vaults.<ref name="REM p. 23" />  The superstructure weighs {{Convert|32,500|ST|LT t|abbr=}}.<ref name="bde19150516" /><ref name="REM p. 21" /><ref name="Chappell p. 107" /> At the time of the Equitable Building's construction, it was described as the world's heaviest structure.<ref name="nyt19140524" /> There are 88 granite columns that rest on the piers within the foundation, and another 50 columns that rest atop the cofferdam.<ref name="REM p. 21" />

==== Interior ====
{{multiple image
|align=right
|direction=vertical
|width=250
|image1=Equitable_first_floor_plan.png|caption1=1st floor plan
|image2=Equitable_seventh_floor_plan.png|caption2=7th floor plan
}}
The ground-floor lobby is composed of two perpendicular arcades, a west-east corridor from Broadway to Nassau Street and a north-south corridor from Pine to Cedar Streets. All four entrances contained bronze revolving doors.<ref name="REM p. 24" /> The lobby has a pink marble floor, sand-colored marble walls, and a vaulted, [[coffered ceiling]]. The corridors are {{Convert|24|ft||abbr=}} wide, while the ceiling ranges from {{Convert|20|ft||abbr=}} tall at the edges to {{Convert|35|ft||abbr=}} tall at the center.<ref name="REM p. 24" /><ref name="Korom p. 3173">{{harvnb|Korom|2008|ps=.|p=317}}</ref> The ceiling is designed in patterns of octagons and squares.<ref name="Chappell p. 107" /> Also in the lobby are the elevators, which contain marble-and-bronze doors<ref name="NPS p. 5" /><ref name="Korom p. 3173" /> and are located in the central section of the "H".<ref name="Chappell p. 107" /> Banking spaces and storefronts are also located on the ground floor, accessible from the lobby.<ref name="NYCL p. 6" /><ref name="REM p. 24" /><ref name="NPS p. 5" /> To the southeast and northwest, marble stairs with [[balustrade]]s lead to the basements and second floor.<ref name="NPS p. 5" />

The first basement level has safe-deposit vaults designed by [[Frederick S. Holmes]].<ref name="NPS p. 5" /> In the basement, there are also connections to several [[New York City Subway]] stations, including [[Wall Street station (IRT Lexington Avenue Line)|Wall Street]] (served by the {{NYCS trains|Lexington south}}), [[Wall Street station (IRT Broadway–Seventh Avenue Line)|Wall Street]] (served by the {{NYCS trains|Broadway-Seventh Brooklyn}}), and [[Broad Street station (BMT Nassau Street Line)|Broad Street]] (served by the {{NYCS trains|Nassau south}}).<ref name="Bisnow 2017">{{cite web|title=Silverstein Launches $50M Renovation Of Equitable Building|url=https://www.bisnow.com/new-york/news/office/silverstein-properties-equitable-building-120-broadway-renovation-80344|date=October 16, 2017|website=Bisnow|access-date=May 13, 2020|archive-date=August 19, 2020|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20200819181051/https://www.bisnow.com/new-york/news/office/silverstein-properties-equitable-building-120-broadway-renovation-80344|url-status=live}}</ref> At opening, half of the basement was occupied by the Cafe Savarin, a 1,000-seat eatery with three rooms fitted with bright blue tiled walls and floors.<ref name=NY1900>{{Cite New York 1900|page=226}}</ref>

On the upper floors, a staircase, restrooms, and utilities are clustered into the core of the "H". The light courts within the "H" ensured that all offices could receive natural light.<ref name="nyt19140524" /> West-east corridors ran perpendicularly to the elevator lobbies, crossing both wings of the "H".<ref name="NPS p. 6">{{harvnb|National Park Service|1978|ps=.|p=6}}</ref> Floors were arranged so that they could be divided into suites facing outward, so that all suites faced windows, though it was also possible for lessees to rent entire floors.<ref name="bde19150516" /> Upon the building's opening, Equitable also provided rest and recreation rooms for the building's 2,000 female employees, making it the first large building to have a women's welfare department.<ref>{{Cite news|date=June 18, 1916|title=Equitable Mothers Its Women Workers; Appoints Miss McComb to Care for the 2,000 Employed in the Skyscraper|language=en-US|work=The New York Times|url=https://www.nytimes.com/1916/06/18/archives/equitable-mothers-its-women-workers-appoints-miss-mccomb-to-care.html|access-date=May 12, 2020|issn=0362-4331|archive-date=November 3, 2020|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20201103081642/https://www.nytimes.com/1916/06/18/archives/equitable-mothers-its-women-workers-appoints-miss-mccomb-to-care.html|url-status=live}}</ref> Also in the building was the library of the [[New York Law Institute]],<ref>{{cite news|date=September 23, 1915|title=Law Library Being Moved to New Home|page=14|work=New York Sun|url=https://www.newspapers.com/clip/50825805/|access-date=May 12, 2020|via=newspapers.com|archive-date=April 24, 2022|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20220424185247/https://www.newspapers.com/clip/50825805/law-library-being-moved-to-new-home/|url-status=live}}</ref> which remains in the building {{As of|2020||lc=y}}.<ref>{{cite web|title=History|url=http://www.nyli.org/history/|website=New York Law Institute|access-date=May 12, 2020|archive-date=May 18, 2020|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20200518212427/https://www.nyli.org/history/|url-status=live}}</ref>

The Equitable Building housed the 1,500-member Bankers Club on its top three floors when it opened. The club had five dining rooms, a lounge, reception rooms, and an open-air terrace.<ref>{{Cite news|date=July 1, 1915|title=New Banker's Club is World's Biggest; Men Representing $2,000,000,000 Open Home on Top Floors of Equitable Building.|language=en-US|work=The New York Times|url=https://www.nytimes.com/1915/07/01/archives/new-bankers-club-is-worlds-biggest-men-representing-2000000000-open.html|access-date=May 10, 2020|issn=0362-4331|archive-date=November 3, 2020|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20201103081608/https://www.nytimes.com/1915/07/01/archives/new-bankers-club-is-worlds-biggest-men-representing-2000000000-open.html|url-status=live}}</ref><ref name=NY1900/> The club was highly frequented by notable financial figures and socialites in New York City, hosting politicians and leaders such as United Kingdom prime minister [[Winston Churchill]], French president [[Charles de Gaulle]], Soviet Union leader [[Nikita Khrushchev]], and Queen of the United Kingdom [[Elizabeth II]]. It closed in 1979 after the club's lease expired.<ref>{{Cite news|last=Salpukas|first=Agis|date=February 3, 1979|title=Era Closes With Bankers Club|language=en-US|work=The New York Times|url=https://www.nytimes.com/1979/02/03/archives/era-closes-with-bankers-club-sad-moment-to-an-officer.html|access-date=May 13, 2020|issn=0362-4331|archive-date=May 27, 2020|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20200527055938/https://www.nytimes.com/1979/02/03/archives/era-closes-with-bankers-club-sad-moment-to-an-officer.html|url-status=live}}</ref><ref name="co20181127" />

====Mechanical features <span class="anchor" id="Operations"></span>====
The operations of the Equitable Building were described as being akin to a small city. When the building opened, there was a power station {{Convert|50|ft||abbr=}} below ground level. It contained seven boilers with a combined output of {{Convert|3500|hp||abbr=}}, which took up a space measuring {{Convert|145|by|180|ft|abbr=}}. There was also an artificial ice plant.<ref name="bde19150516" /> The power station originally burned oil, consuming 2.5 million barrels per year, but started using coal in 1934 due to a rise in fuel prices.<ref>{{Cite news|date=June 22, 1934|title=Equitable Building to Use Coal.|language=en-US|work=The New York Times|url=https://www.nytimes.com/1934/06/22/archives/equitable-building-to-use-coal.html|access-date=May 13, 2020|issn=0362-4331|archive-date=November 3, 2020|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20201103092925/https://www.nytimes.com/1934/06/22/archives/equitable-building-to-use-coal.html|url-status=live}}</ref> At the time of completion, the Equitable Building was said to have more telephones than did all of Greece.<ref>{{Cite news|date=October 21, 1928|title=Telephone Service in Big Buildings; More Than 38,000 Private Branch Exchanges in New York's Five Boroughs|language=en-US|work=The New York Times|url=https://www.nytimes.com/1928/10/21/archives/telephone-service-in-big-buildings-more-than-38000-private-branch.html|access-date=May 12, 2020|issn=0362-4331|archive-date=November 3, 2020|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20201103085345/https://www.nytimes.com/1928/10/21/archives/telephone-service-in-big-buildings-more-than-38000-private-branch.html|url-status=live}}</ref>

The building contains 50 elevators; the 48 elevators serving the above ground levels are clustered in six groups of eight, while an additional two elevators serve the basements.<ref name="bde19150516" /> The Equitable Building previously contained as many as 62 elevators.<ref>{{Cite news|date=February 4, 1953|title=Flood Stalls Lifts in Office Building; 6,000 Climb Equitable Building Stairs, Equal Number Balks|language=en-US|work=The New York Times|url=https://www.nytimes.com/1953/02/04/archives/flood-stalls-lifts-in-office-building-6000-climb-equitable-building.html|access-date=May 13, 2020|issn=0362-4331|archive-date=November 3, 2020|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20201103103640/https://www.nytimes.com/1953/02/04/archives/flood-stalls-lifts-in-office-building-6000-climb-equitable-building.html|url-status=live}}</ref>

==History==

=== Context ===
{{Main|Equitable Life Building (Manhattan)#History}}
During the 19th century, life insurance firms were some of the first companies to build high-profile skyscrapers.<ref name="NYCL p. 2">{{harvnb|Landmarks Preservation Commission|1996|ps=.|p=2}}</ref> The [[Equitable Holdings|Equitable Life Assurance Society of the United States]], founded by [[Henry Baldwin Hyde]] in 1859,<ref name="LC p. 62">{{harvnb|Landau|Condit|1996|ps=.|p=62}}</ref><ref name="Buley p. 132">{{harvnb|Buley|1959|ps=.|p=13}}</ref> had built the [[Equitable Life Building (Manhattan)|Equitable Life Building]] on 120 Broadway in 1870.<ref name="Buley p. 29">{{harvnb|Buley|1959|ps=.|p=29}}</ref><ref name="amNewYork 2014">{{cite web|title=NYC skyscrapers: 17 things you may not know|url=https://www.amny.com/real-estate/nyc-skyscrapers-17-things-you-may-not-know-about-the-city-s-tallest-buildings-1-9708920/|first=Christian|last=Salazar|date=December 12, 2014|website=amNewYork|access-date=May 7, 2020|archive-date=August 19, 2020|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20200819175633/https://www.amny.com/real-estate/nyc-skyscrapers-17-things-you-may-not-know-about-the-city-s-tallest-buildings-1-9708920/|url-status=live}}</ref> The Equitable Life Building was the first office building to feature passenger elevators,<ref>{{cite magazine|author=Equitable Life Assurance Society of the United States|date=November 1901|title=The Elevator Did It|url=https://books.google.com/books?id=jmwPAAAAYAAJ&pg=RA1-PA43|journal=The Equitable News: An Agents' Journal|issue=23|page=11|access-date=January 10, 2012|archive-date=October 12, 2013|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20131012234137/http://books.google.com/books?id=jmwPAAAAYAAJ&pg=RA1-PA43|url-status=live}}</ref> and at [[History of the tallest buildings in the world#Skyscrapers|a record]] {{convert|130|ft|m}} upon construction, was among the world's first skyscrapers.<ref name="amNewYork 2014" /> The building was expanded numerous times, including in 1875<ref>{{Cite news|date=May 1, 1875|title=The New Addition to the Equitable Building.|language=en-US|work=The New York Times|url=https://www.nytimes.com/1875/05/01/archives/the-new-addition-to-the-equitable-building.html|access-date=May 7, 2020|issn=0362-4331|archive-date=November 3, 2020|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20201103072316/https://www.nytimes.com/1875/05/01/archives/the-new-addition-to-the-equitable-building.html|url-status=live}}</ref> and in 1887.<ref>{{Cite news|date=January 10, 1887|title=A Great Insurance Building.; What the New Equitable Building Is to Be—a Model Broadway Structure That Will Be Ready for Occupancy on the First of May.|language=en-US|work=The New York Times|url=https://www.nytimes.com/1887/01/10/archives/a-great-insurance-building-what-the-new-equitable-building-is-to-be.html|access-date=May 8, 2020|issn=0362-4331|archive-date=November 3, 2020|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20201103072402/https://www.nytimes.com/1887/01/10/archives/a-great-insurance-building-what-the-new-equitable-building-is-to-be.html|url-status=live}}</ref> Equitable assumed control of all properties on the block by 1906.<ref name="Buley p. 1402">{{harvnb|Buley|1959|ps=.|p=140}}</ref><ref name="nyt191201102">{{Cite news|date=January 10, 1912|title=First Skyscraper With an Elevator; When Mr. Hyde Proposed It His Directors Said an Eight-Story Building Would Never Pay.|language=en-US|work=The New York Times|url=https://www.nytimes.com/1912/01/10/archives/first-skyscraper-with-an-elevator-when-mr-hyde-proposed-it-his.html|access-date=May 10, 2020|issn=0362-4331|archive-date=November 3, 2020|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20201103081402/https://www.nytimes.com/1912/01/10/archives/first-skyscraper-with-an-elevator-when-mr-hyde-proposed-it-his.html|url-status=live}}</ref> By the 1890s, the Equitable Life Building was architecturally outdated, and [[George B. Post]] prepared plans for a 40-story structure in 1897, which did not proceed.<ref name="nyt19960908">{{Cite news|last=Gray|first=Christopher|date=September 8, 1996|title=1915 Equitable Building Becomes a 1996 Landmark|language=en-US|work=The New York Times|url=https://www.nytimes.com/1996/09/08/realestate/1915-equitable-building-becomes-a-1996-landmark.html|access-date=May 6, 2020|issn=0362-4331|archive-date=August 9, 2020|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20200809154626/https://www.nytimes.com/1996/09/08/realestate/1915-equitable-building-becomes-a-1996-landmark.html|url-status=live}}</ref>

In 1907, [[Daniel H. Burnham]]'s company had proposed replacing the Equitable Life Building with a 33-story structure.<ref name="LC p. 392" /> At the time, both Burnham and Equitable publicly denied that a new home office was being planned.<ref name="Buley p. 1402" /><ref>{{Cite news|date=December 30, 1907|title=No 33-story Building; Architect Burnham Denies He's Making Sketches for Equitable Life.|language=en-US|work=The New York Times|url=https://www.nytimes.com/1907/12/30/archives/no-33story-building-architect-burnham-denies-hes-making-sketches.html|access-date=May 10, 2020|issn=0362-4331|archive-date=November 3, 2020|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20201103081236/https://www.nytimes.com/1907/12/30/archives/no-33story-building-architect-burnham-denies-hes-making-sketches.html|url-status=live}}</ref> Burnham's firm filed plans for a 62-story building in 1908, to top the Singer Building and Metropolitan Life Tower. This new building would have had a 34-story base and a 28-story tower, being {{Convert|909|ft||abbr=}} tall, with {{Convert|40|acre|m2|abbr=}} of floor area and 3,600 offices.<ref name="Buley p. 1402" /><ref>{{cite news|date=July 3, 1908|title=Equitable's New Sixty-two Story Building|page=3|work=New York Evening World|url=https://www.newspapers.com/clip/50680714/|access-date=May 10, 2020|via=newspapers.com|archive-date=April 24, 2022|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20220424185249/https://www.newspapers.com/clip/50680714/equitables-new-sixty-two-story-building/|url-status=live}}</ref><ref>{{Cite news|date=June 30, 1908|title=909-Foot Skyscraper to Tower Above All; Architects File Plans for New Equitable Life Building Here 62 Stories High|language=en-US|work=The New York Times|url=https://www.nytimes.com/1908/06/30/archives/909foot-skyscraper-to-tower-above-all-architects-file-plans-for-new.html|access-date=May 10, 2020|issn=0362-4331|archive-date=November 3, 2020|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20201103081300/https://www.nytimes.com/1908/06/30/archives/909foot-skyscraper-to-tower-above-all-architects-file-plans-for-new.html|url-status=live}}</ref> Although bidding for the proposed structure began in December 1908,<ref name="Buley p. 1402" /> Equitable president Paul Morton publicly denied plans for a new structure.<ref>{{Cite news|date=December 15, 1908|title=Equitable Building in Doubt|language=en-US|page=16|work=The New York Times|url=https://www.newspapers.com/clip/50681224/|access-date=May 10, 2020|issn=0362-4331|via=newspapers.com|archive-date=April 24, 2022|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20220424185248/https://www.newspapers.com/clip/50681224/equitable-building-in-doubt/|url-status=live}}</ref> The plan was ultimately dropped, possibly due to opposition over the building's sheer bulk.<ref name="LC p. 392" />

[[File:Equitable fire from Singer building on January 9, 1912.jpg|thumb|1912 fire]]
The Equitable Life Building was destroyed by a fire on January 9, 1912, which killed six people.<ref>{{cite magazine|date=January 18, 1912|title=The Burning of the Equitable Building in New York City|url=https://books.google.com/books?id=YeMRAQAAMAAJ&pg=PA119|journal=Engineering News|volume=67|pages=119–120|access-date=February 4, 2012}}</ref><ref name="Buley p. 163">{{harvnb|Buley|1959|ps=.|p=163}}</ref> Fire engines could not save the structure because the water from the engines had frozen in the cold weather.<ref name="LC p. 392" /><ref>{{Cite web|title=Consumed in Fire, Cloaked in Ice, Equitable's Headquarters Fell 100 Years Ago|url=https://cityroom.blogs.nytimes.com/2012/01/08/consumed-in-fire-cloaked-in-ice-equitables-headquarters-fell-100-years-ago/|last=Dunlap|first=David W.|date=January 8, 2012|website=City Room|language=en-US|access-date=May 9, 2020|archive-date=June 8, 2020|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20200608212731/https://cityroom.blogs.nytimes.com/2012/01/08/consumed-in-fire-cloaked-in-ice-equitables-headquarters-fell-100-years-ago/|url-status=live}}</ref> Equitable quickly set up temporary quarters at the [[City Investing Building]].<ref name="Buley p. 164">{{harvnb|Buley|1959|ps=.|p=164}}</ref><ref name="nyt19121002">{{Cite news|date=October 2, 1912|title=Equitable to Lend $19,500,000 on Site; Mortgage Will Cover New Building to be Built Thereon by the du Pont Company.|language=en-US|work=The New York Times|url=https://www.nytimes.com/1912/10/02/archives/equitable-to-lend-19500000-on-site-mortgage-will-cover-new-building.html|access-date=May 10, 2020|issn=0362-4331|archive-date=November 3, 2020|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20201103081426/https://www.nytimes.com/1912/10/02/archives/equitable-to-lend-19500000-on-site-mortgage-will-cover-new-building.html|url-status=live}}</ref> Given that the previous building had been worth very little,<ref name="Buley p. 164" /><ref name="nyt19120110">{{Cite news|date=January 10, 1912|title=$18,000,000 Equitable Building Burns, With $2,000,000 Contents; Maybe 9 Dead; Fast Sweeping Blaze in Financial Zone Razes City's First Skyscraper.|language=en-US|work=The New York Times|url=https://www.nytimes.com/1912/01/10/archives/18000000-equitable-building-burns-with-2000000-contents-maybe-9.html|access-date=May 10, 2020|issn=0362-4331|archive-date=November 3, 2020|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20201103081354/https://www.nytimes.com/1912/01/10/archives/18000000-equitable-building-burns-with-2000000-contents-maybe-9.html|url-status=live}}</ref> the land was actually worth more after the fire than beforehand.<ref>{{Cite news|date=January 10, 1912|title=Equitable to Build or Else Sell Site; The Ground, Cleared by Fire, Is Now Worth More Than It Was with Building.|language=en-US|work=The New York Times|url=https://www.nytimes.com/1912/01/10/archives/equitable-to-build-or-else-sell-site-the-ground-cleared-by-fire-is.html|access-date=May 10, 2020|issn=0362-4331|archive-date=November 3, 2020|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20201103081358/https://www.nytimes.com/1912/01/10/archives/equitable-to-build-or-else-sell-site-the-ground-cleared-by-fire-is.html|url-status=live}}</ref>

=== Planning and construction ===
==== Planning ====
After the fire, [[Thompson–Starrett Co.|Thompson–Starrett]] was hired to clear the site,<ref name="Korom p. 315">{{harvnb|Korom|2008|ps=.|p=315}}</ref> and the plot was chosen as the location for Equitable's new headquarters building.<ref name="LC p. 392" /> Thompson–Starrett president Louis J. Horowitz approached businessman [[T. Coleman du Pont]],<ref name="Korom p. 316" /><ref name="NYCL p. 3" /> who later recalled that du Pont was interested in the "idea of owning a gigantic building in New York".<ref name="Korom p. 316" /> Frank M. Andrews—who also designed the [[Hotel McAlpin]] for du Pont—was involved in the project as well. Horowitz, Andrews, and du Pont were said to have bought the lot in August 1912,<ref name="NYCL p. 3" /><ref>{{Cite news|date=August 13, 1912|title=Equitable Site Brings $14,000,000; World's Largest Office Building, Thirty-six Stories High, to be Built There.|language=en-US|work=The New York Times|url=https://www.nytimes.com/1912/08/13/archives/equitable-site-brings-14000000-worlds-largest-office-building.html|access-date=May 10, 2020|issn=0362-4331|archive-date=November 3, 2020|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20201103081421/https://www.nytimes.com/1912/08/13/archives/equitable-site-brings-14000000-worlds-largest-office-building.html|url-status=live}}</ref> and finalized the sale that October for $13.5 million.<ref name="NYCL p. 3" /><ref name="nyt19121002" />

Du Pont forced Andrews from the project, apparently upon Horowitz's advice,<ref name="H133">{{harvnb|ps=.|Horowitz|Sparkes|Shreve|2011|p=133}}</ref> and Andrews sued du Pont in July 1913,<ref>{{Cite news|date=July 1, 1913|title=Sues Gen. Du Pont in $28,000,000 Deal; Andrews Says Powder Man Displaced Him as Architect for Equitable Site Building.|language=en-US|work=The New York Times|url=https://www.nytimes.com/1913/07/01/archives/sues-gen-du-pont-in-28000000-deal-andrews-says-powder-man-displaced.html|access-date=May 12, 2020|issn=0362-4331|archive-date=October 29, 2020|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20201029230848/https://www.nytimes.com/1913/07/01/archives/sues-gen-du-pont-in-28000000-deal-andrews-says-powder-man-displaced.html|url-status=live}}</ref> leading du Pont to pay Andrews $100,000 for his involvement.<ref>{{Cite news|date=January 11, 1914|title=Gen. Du Pont Pays $100,000; F.M. Andrews's Claim of $680,000 Is Compromised.|language=en-US|work=The New York Times|url=https://www.nytimes.com/1914/01/11/archives/gen-du-pont-pays-100000-fm-andrewss-claim-of-680000-is-compromised.html|access-date=May 11, 2020|issn=0362-4331|archive-date=November 3, 2020|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20201103081501/https://www.nytimes.com/1914/01/11/archives/gen-du-pont-pays-100000-fm-andrewss-claim-of-680000-is-compromised.html|url-status=live}}</ref> Horowitz then corresponded with Ernest Graham, the other major partner at D. H. Burnham & Company after Burnham's June 1912 death,<ref name="Chappell p. 104" /> who would become the architect of the new tower.<ref name="Korom p. 316" /><ref name="H133" /> Graham designed the structure as a bulky mass, wanting to maximize the amount of office space on the site rather than a corporate symbol.<ref name="NYCL p. 4" /> Graham's key concern was with the height of the elevators, and he discussed the issue with preeminent elevator engineer [[Charles E. Knox]], who said that "the elevator service will determine the height of the building".<ref name="Chappell p. 104" /> This differed from Graham's previous commissions, where elevators were considered after the height of the building was specified. Knox ultimately recommended against building a 42-story structure, but recommended a 36-story edifice since that height could meet the client's safety and speed criteria.<ref name="Chappell p. 106" />

Opposition to the building soon coalesced.<ref name="NYCL p. 5">{{harvnb|Landmarks Preservation Commission|1996|ps=.|p=5}}</ref> One group of bankers planned to build a park on the site,<ref>{{Cite news|date=November 28, 1912|title=Want Equitable Site for Broadway Park; Offer of $500,000 Toward a Fund for Its Purchase for a Breathing Space Downtown.|language=en-US|work=The New York Times|url=https://www.nytimes.com/1912/11/28/archives/want-equitable-site-for-broadway-park-offer-of-500000-toward-a-fund.html|access-date=May 12, 2020|issn=0362-4331|archive-date=November 3, 2020|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20201103081434/https://www.nytimes.com/1912/11/28/archives/want-equitable-site-for-broadway-park-offer-of-500000-toward-a-fund.html|url-status=live}}</ref> a suggestion that Horowitz said "outranks, for nerve, anything of which I ever heard", and was dropped when Horowitz suggested that the group raise $13.5 million to buy out du Pont's ownership share.<ref>{{harvnb|ps=.|Horowitz|Sparkes|Shreve|2011|p=153}}</ref><ref name="NYCL p. 5" /> Another proposal called for dividing the lot in half by extending New Street, an existing north-south road, north to Cedar Street.<ref>{{Cite news|date=December 22, 1912|title=Plan to Divide Equitable Block With a Thirty-foot Street to Relieve Congestion; Engineer Caccavajo Claims That by Carrying the Street Through the Block to Wall Street Eight New Corners Would Be Created and Increased Assessed Valuation Would More Than Pay the City for the Amount Expended in Condemnation.|language=en-US|work=The New York Times|url=https://www.nytimes.com/1912/12/22/archives/plan-to-divide-equitable-block-with-a-thirtyfoot-street-to-relieve.html|access-date=May 11, 2020|issn=0362-4331|archive-date=November 3, 2020|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20201103081439/https://www.nytimes.com/1912/12/22/archives/plan-to-divide-equitable-block-with-a-thirtyfoot-street-to-relieve.html|url-status=live}}</ref> This plan also failed,<ref name="NYCL p. 5" /> and blueprints were filed with the [[New York City Department of Buildings]] in December 1912, which called for a huge H-shaped edifice on the block.<ref>{{cite news|date=December 27, 1912|title=New Equitable Building Plans Filed|page=11|work=Brooklyn Times-Union|url=https://www.newspapers.com/clip/50686195/|access-date=May 10, 2020|via=newspapers.com|archive-date=April 24, 2022|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20220424185248/https://www.newspapers.com/clip/50686195/new-equitable-building-plans-filed/|url-status=live}}</ref> On April 12, 1913, du Pont formed the Equitable Office Building Corporation to take title to the building site, and gave Equitable a $20.5 million [[mortgage loan]] to run for 60 years. Equitable would lease three floors in exchange for 9% [[dividend]]s in the building corporation, to be paid in perpetuity.<ref name="Buley p. 165">{{harvnb|Buley|1959|ps=.|p=165}}</ref><ref>{{Cite news|date=April 26, 1913|title=Big Equitable Mortgage; Undertaking for $20,500,000 Given by Building Corporation.|language=en-US|work=The New York Times|url=https://www.nytimes.com/1913/04/26/archives/big-equitable-mortgage-undertaking-for-20500000-given-by-building.html|access-date=May 10, 2020|issn=0362-4331|archive-date=November 3, 2020|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20201103081446/https://www.nytimes.com/1913/04/26/archives/big-equitable-mortgage-undertaking-for-20500000-given-by-building.html|url-status=live}}</ref> Equitable president William A. Day was appointed as chairman of the board of the building corporation.<ref name="NYCL p. 3" /><ref name="Buley p. 165" /> Thompson–Starrett was hired as the builder and Horowitz became the "owner's representative".<ref name="NYCL p. 3" />

==== Construction ====
[[File:NYC Equitable Building Before 1919 postcard.jpg|thumb|The Equitable Building in a postcard dated from before 1919]]
Because of the high land cost, the developers wanted to erect the building as quickly as possible; at the time, buildings' general contractors usually passed work down to subcontractors. To eliminate delays due to a lack of communication between subcontractors, the building corporation formed a "Method of Procedure" to coordinate all work on the building.<ref name="Chappell p. 106" /><ref name="REM p. 31">{{harvnb|''The Real Estate Magazine''|1915|ps=.|p=31}}</ref> Since there were no nearby material-storage areas, it was imperative that work be completed as quickly as possible.<ref name="Chappell p. 107" /> The start of work had already been held up by opposition to the proposed height and shape.<ref>{{cite news|date=June 16, 1913|title=Proposed Height of Equitable Building Caused Delay in Work|page=6|work=Wall Street Journal|url=https://www.newspapers.com/clip/8945196/|access-date=May 12, 2020|issn=0099-9660|via=newspapers.com|archive-date=April 24, 2022|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20220424185248/https://www.newspapers.com/clip/8945196/proposed-height-delay/|url-status=live}}</ref>

Excavation for the building started in June 1913.<ref>{{cite magazine|date=June 21, 1913|title=The New Equitable Building and its Managers|url=https://rerecord.library.columbia.edu/pdf_files/ldpd_7031148_050_24.pdf|journal=The Real Estate Record: Real Estate Record and Builders' Guide|volume=91|pages=1285|via=[[Columbia University|columbia.edu]]|number=2362|access-date=May 13, 2020|archive-date=August 19, 2020|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20200819181746/https://rerecord.library.columbia.edu/pdf_files/ldpd_7031148_050_24.pdf|url-status=live}}</ref> The cofferdam around the foundation was initially reinforced with timber cross-bracing until the steel frame underground had been sufficiently completed to support the cofferdam.<ref name="nyt19140524" /> During excavation, a [[Round shot|cannonball]] from British colonial times was excavated from the site of the Equitable Building.<ref>{{Cite news|date=November 23, 1913|title=Old Cannon Ball Tells Story of '75; Dug Up in Equitable Building Site, It Was First a Capture from the British|language=en-US|work=The New York Times|url=https://www.nytimes.com/1913/11/23/archives/old-cannon-ball-tells-story-of-75-dug-up-in-equitable-building-site.html|access-date=May 10, 2020|issn=0362-4331|archive-date=November 3, 2020|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20201103081457/https://www.nytimes.com/1913/11/23/archives/old-cannon-ball-tells-story-of-75-dug-up-in-equitable-building-site.html|url-status=live}}</ref> By January 1914, crews had excavated the foundation and dug to the bedrock {{Convert|83|ft||abbr=}} below street level.<ref>{{Cite news|date=January 18, 1914|title=Equitable Building Work; Foundation Goes to Bedrock, 83 Feet Below Street Level.|language=en-US|work=The New York Times|url=https://www.nytimes.com/1914/01/18/archives/equitable-building-work-foundation-goes-to-bedrock-83-feet-below.html|access-date=May 10, 2020|issn=0362-4331|archive-date=November 3, 2020|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20201103081506/https://www.nytimes.com/1914/01/18/archives/equitable-building-work-foundation-goes-to-bedrock-83-feet-below.html|url-status=live}}</ref> The steel work was built to the second floor using six [[derrick]]s; the steel frame above that point was erected using lighter derricks with longer masts and booms.<ref name="nyt19140524" /> There were some accidents during construction, including two incidents in which workers were killed. One worker died after a crane fell on the Broadway side of the building,<ref>{{Cite news|date=March 21, 1914|title=Dies Under Derrick on Equitable Site; Carpenter Killed and Two Workmen Injured When 90-Foot Steel Boom Falls.|language=en-US|work=The New York Times|url=https://www.nytimes.com/1914/03/21/archives/dies-under-derrick-on-equitable-site-carpenter-killed-and-two.html|access-date=May 11, 2020|issn=0362-4331|archive-date=November 3, 2020|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20201103081518/https://www.nytimes.com/1914/03/21/archives/dies-under-derrick-on-equitable-site-carpenter-killed-and-two.html|url-status=live}}</ref> while another died when a crane dropped a girder onto a platform where six men were working.<ref>{{Cite news|date=April 5, 1914|title=Equitable Building Crash; Workman Fatally Hurt When Girder Falls|language=en-US|work=The New York Times|url=https://www.nytimes.com/1914/04/05/archives/equitable-building-crash-workman-fatally-hurt-when-girder-falls.html|access-date=May 10, 2020|issn=0362-4331|archive-date=November 3, 2020|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20201103081523/https://www.nytimes.com/1914/04/05/archives/equitable-building-crash-workman-fatally-hurt-when-girder-falls.html|url-status=live}}</ref>

The steel frame reached street level in February 1914.<ref name="REM p. 45">{{harvnb|''The Real Estate Magazine''|1915|ps=.|p=45}}</ref> The [[cornerstone]] was officially laid on April 30, 1914, at a ceremony attended by mayor [[John Purroy Mitchel]]. The Equitable Building was the first private construction project in New York City where the mayor attended the cornerstone-laying ceremony.<ref>{{Cite news|date=April 30, 1914|title=Equitable Building Cornerstone Laid; Mayor Seals Up Bronze Box for Largest Office Structure in the World.|language=en-US|work=The New York Times|url=https://www.nytimes.com/1914/04/30/archives/equitable-building-cornerstone-laid-mayor-seals-up-bronze-box-for.html|access-date=May 10, 2020|issn=0362-4331|archive-date=November 3, 2020|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20201103081527/https://www.nytimes.com/1914/04/30/archives/equitable-building-cornerstone-laid-mayor-seals-up-bronze-box-for.html|url-status=live}}</ref> Work on the superstructure officially began on June 10, 1914.<ref name="Korom p. 316" /><ref name="Chappell p. 107" /> By August 16, the structure had [[Topping out|topped out]] at 38 stories above the ground level.<ref>{{Cite news|date=August 16, 1914|title=Flag Tops New Equitable; Less Than Five Months Required to Erect 38 Stories.|language=en-US|work=The New York Times|url=https://www.nytimes.com/1914/08/16/archives/flag-tops-new-equitable-less-than-five-months-required-to-erect-38.html|access-date=May 10, 2020|issn=0362-4331|archive-date=November 3, 2020|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20201103081546/https://www.nytimes.com/1914/08/16/archives/flag-tops-new-equitable-less-than-five-months-required-to-erect-38.html|url-status=live}}</ref><ref group="lower-alpha">These 38 floors included the interior floors (not visible from the facade) but excluded the two-story penthouse.</ref> Work on the building was completed on February 1, 1915.<ref name="Chappell p. 107" /><ref name="REM p. 29">{{harvnb|''The Real Estate Magazine''|1915|ps=.|p=29}}</ref>

=== Use ===
The Equitable Building was completed on May 1, 1915,<ref name="Korom p. 3173" /> at an estimated cost of $29 million, {{Inflation|index=US-GDP|value=29,000,000|start_year=1915|r=-3|fmt=eq}}.<ref name="Willis p. 69">{{harvnb|Willis|1995|p=69|ps=.}}</ref> The Equitable Society itself occupied {{Convert|125,000|ft2||abbr=}}, a little more than 10% of the total floor area, on the sixth through eighth floors.<ref>{{cite news|date=April 26, 1915|title=Equitable Life Company Moves to New Building|page=3|work=Brooklyn Times-Union|url=https://www.newspapers.com/clip/50819741/|access-date=April 24, 2020|via=newspapers.com|archive-date=September 3, 2021|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20210903215749/https://www.newspapers.com/clip/50819741/equitable-life-company-moves-to-new/|url-status=live}}</ref>  Other early lessees included tenants as diverse as [[General Electric]],<ref>{{Cite news|date=June 11, 1917|title=General Electric to Move; Will Occupy 20th Floor of Equitable Building as Offices.|language=en-US|work=The New York Times|url=https://www.nytimes.com/1917/06/11/archives/general-electric-to-move-will-occupy-20th-floor-of-equitable.html|access-date=May 12, 2020|issn=0362-4331|archive-date=November 3, 2020|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20201103081702/https://www.nytimes.com/1917/06/11/archives/general-electric-to-move-will-occupy-20th-floor-of-equitable.html|url-status=live}}</ref> the [[Federal Reserve Bank of New York]],<ref>{{Cite news|date=February 12, 1918|title=Reserve Bank Gains Space; Public Service Board Quits Rooms in Equitable Building.|language=en-US|work=The New York Times|url=https://www.nytimes.com/1918/02/12/archives/reserve-bank-gains-space-public-service-board-quits-rooms-in.html|access-date=May 12, 2020|issn=0362-4331|archive-date=November 3, 2020|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20201103083222/https://www.nytimes.com/1918/02/12/archives/reserve-bank-gains-space-public-service-board-quits-rooms-in.html|url-status=live}}</ref> the [[Fidelity Trust Company]],<ref>{{Cite news|date=March 30, 1926|title=Fidelity Trust Opens New Main Office; Quarters in the Equitable Building Completely Remodeled|language=en-US|work=The New York Times|url=https://www.nytimes.com/1926/03/30/archives/fidelity-trust-opens-new-main-office-quarters-in-the-equitable.html|access-date=May 12, 2020|issn=0362-4331|archive-date=November 3, 2020|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20201103083625/https://www.nytimes.com/1926/03/30/archives/fidelity-trust-opens-new-main-office-quarters-in-the-equitable.html|url-status=live}}</ref> and [[American Smelting & Refining]].<ref>{{Cite news|date=December 11, 1914|title=The Real Estate Field; Netherland Apartment House Sold to an Investor|language=en-US|work=The New York Times|url=https://www.nytimes.com/1914/12/11/archives/the-real-estate-field-netherland-apartment-house-sold-to-an.html|access-date=May 12, 2020|issn=0362-4331|archive-date=November 3, 2020|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20201103081555/https://www.nytimes.com/1914/12/11/archives/the-real-estate-field-netherland-apartment-house-sold-to-an.html|url-status=live}}</ref> The Equitable Building was also occupied by industrial concerns such as the [[American Can Company]], [[Kennecott Utah Copper|Kennecott Copper Company]], [[DuPont (1802–2017)|E. I. du Pont de Nemours]], [[Goodyear Tire and Rubber Company]], and [[Alcoa|Aluminum Company of America]], as well as railroads such as [[Missouri Pacific Railroad]], [[Union Pacific Railroad]], and [[Southern Railway (U.S.)|Southern Railway]].<ref name="REM p. 21" /><ref name="NPS p. 6" /> The Equitable Building's other tenants included banks such as [[Barclays]], [[Marine Midland Bank]], and [[Mellon Bank]]; financial firms such as [[Kidder, Peabody & Co.]] and [[American Express]];<ref name="NPS p. 6" /><ref name="nyt19900221" /> and the offices of New York attorney general [[Robert Abrams]].<ref>{{Cite news|last=Kennedy|first=Shawn G.|date=May 7, 1986|title=Real Estate; Abrams's New Office Downtown|language=en-US|work=The New York Times|url=https://www.nytimes.com/1986/05/07/business/real-estate-abrams-s-new-office-downtown.html|access-date=May 13, 2020|issn=0362-4331|archive-date=November 4, 2020|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20201104063822/https://www.nytimes.com/1986/05/07/business/real-estate-abrams-s-new-office-downtown.html|url-status=live}}</ref> Equitable Life itself only had its home office in the Equitable Building until 1924, when it moved to 393 Seventh Avenue (now [[11 Penn Plaza]]).<ref>{{cite magazine|year=1924|title=Equitable Agents Meet|url=https://books.google.com/books?id=3fkgAQAAMAAJ&pg=RA7-PA19|journal=The Spectator|publisher=C.D. Lakey and J.H. Goodsell|issue=v. 113|page=19|access-date=May 13, 2020|archive-date=August 25, 2021|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20210825224817/https://books.google.com/books?id=3fkgAQAAMAAJ&pg=RA7-PA19|url-status=live}}</ref>

==== 1910s through 1930s ====
[[File:Equitable Building 120 Broadway.jpg|thumb|Seen from Cedar and Nassau Streets]]
At the time of its completion, the Equitable Building had 20,000 employees working inside it, and 50,000 additional daily visitors.<ref name="Korom p. 3173" /> Shortly after the official opening, du Pont bought the Equitable Life Assurance Company's [[controlling interest]].<ref>{{Cite news|date=June 13, 1915|title=T.C. Du Pont Buys Equitable Life; Gets 502 of Society's Total of 1,000 Shares for More Than $2,510,000.|language=en-US|work=The New York Times|url=https://www.nytimes.com/1915/06/13/archives/tc-du-pont-buys-equitable-life-gets-502-of-societys-total-of-1000.html|access-date=May 11, 2020|issn=0362-4331|archive-date=November 3, 2020|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20201103081604/https://www.nytimes.com/1915/06/13/archives/tc-du-pont-buys-equitable-life-gets-502-of-societys-total-of-1000.html|url-status=live}}</ref><ref>{{cite book|last=Chandler|first=Alfred|title=Pierre S. Du Pont and the making of the modern corporation|publisher=BeardBooks|year=2000|isbn=978-1-58798-023-7|pages=311, 326|oclc=44541885}}</ref><ref>{{cite news|date=June 13, 1915|title=Du Pont Controls the Equitable Life, Buys Morgan Stock|page=10|work=Brooklyn Daily Eagle|url=https://bklyn.newspapers.com/clip/50825624/|access-date=May 12, 2020|via=Brooklyn Public Library; newspapers.com|archive-date=April 24, 2022|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20220424185248/https://bklyn.newspapers.com/clip/50825624/du-pont-controls-the-equitable-life/|url-status=live}}</ref> During the first year of operation, du Pont made $3 million in profit.<ref name="Korom p. 3173" /> By 1917, the building was fully occupied at an average rental rate of {{Convert|2.25|$/ft2||abbr=}}.<ref name="wsj19171220">{{cite news|date=December 20, 1917|title=World's Largest Office Building Fully Occupied|page=9|work=Wall Street Journal|url=https://www.newspapers.com/clip/8944936/|access-date=May 12, 2020|issn=0099-9660|via=newspapers.com|archive-date=April 24, 2022|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20220424185250/https://www.newspapers.com/clip/8944936/fully-occupied/|url-status=live}}</ref>  The building's valuation was increased from $20.5 million to $25 million that year, because of a prosperous realty market at the time.<ref>{{Cite news|date=October 7, 1917|title=Increase in New York Realty Values Higher Assessment in Every Borough; Over $55,000,000 in New Structures Saved Manhattan Real Estate from Decreasing|language=en-US|work=The New York Times|url=https://www.nytimes.com/1917/10/07/archives/increase-in-new-york-realty-values-higher-assessment-in-every.html|access-date=May 12, 2020|issn=0362-4331|archive-date=November 3, 2020|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20201103081712/https://www.nytimes.com/1917/10/07/archives/increase-in-new-york-realty-values-higher-assessment-in-every.html|url-status=live}}</ref> The following year, the Equitable Office Building Corporation applied for a reduction in the building's valuation from $25 million to $18 million, due to foreclosures on other large buildings in New York City.<ref>{{Cite news|date=June 30, 1918|title=Tax Reduction Plea; Equitable Building Owners Ask for $7,000,000 Assessment Cut.|language=en-US|work=The New York Times|url=https://www.nytimes.com/1918/06/30/archives/tax-reduction-plea-equitable-building-owners-ask-for-7000000.html|access-date=May 12, 2020|issn=0362-4331|archive-date=November 3, 2020|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20201103083234/https://www.nytimes.com/1918/06/30/archives/tax-reduction-plea-equitable-building-owners-ask-for-7000000.html|url-status=live}}</ref> Further devaluation occurred in 1921, when the building was estimated to be worth $11.5 million,<ref>{{Cite news|date=July 10, 1921|title=Tax Assessment Cut on Equitable Building; Land Value Put at $11,500,000 Instead of $13,000,000 by Justice Lehman.|language=en-US|work=The New York Times|url=https://www.nytimes.com/1921/07/10/archives/tax-assessment-cut-on-equitable-building-land-value-put-at-11500000.html|access-date=May 12, 2020|issn=0362-4331|archive-date=November 3, 2020|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20201103083359/https://www.nytimes.com/1921/07/10/archives/tax-assessment-cut-on-equitable-building-land-value-put-at-11500000.html|url-status=live}}</ref> but by the next year, the building was re-valued at $30 million, making it among the city's most valuable properties.<ref>{{Cite news|date=October 3, 1922|title=Equitable Building Put at $30,000,000; Altman's Store Is Assessed $13,800,000 and the Plaza Hotel $11,500,000.|language=en-US|work=The New York Times|url=https://www.nytimes.com/1922/10/03/archives/equitable-building-put-at-30000000-altmans-store-is-assessed.html|access-date=May 12, 2020|issn=0362-4331|archive-date=November 3, 2020|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20201103083434/https://www.nytimes.com/1922/10/03/archives/equitable-building-put-at-30000000-altmans-store-is-assessed.html|url-status=live}}</ref><ref>{{cite news|date=October 15, 1922|title=Lowest Valued Realty Within Sight of Most Valuable|page=33|work=New-York Tribune|url=https://www.newspapers.com/clip/27285728/|access-date=May 13, 2020|via=newspapers.com|archive-date=April 24, 2022|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20220424185249/https://www.newspapers.com/clip/27285728/new-york-tribune/|url-status=live}}</ref>

The edifice was first placed for sale in 1923, with du Pont offering the building for $40 million.<ref>{{Cite news|date=January 10, 1923|title=Equitable Building Offered for Sale; E.L. Doheny Considering Pur- chase, but at Less Than the $40,000,000 Asked.|language=en-US|work=The New York Times|url=https://www.nytimes.com/1923/01/10/archives/equitable-building-offered-for-sale-el-doheny-considering-pur-chase.html|access-date=May 12, 2020|issn=0362-4331|archive-date=November 3, 2020|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20201103083445/https://www.nytimes.com/1923/01/10/archives/equitable-building-offered-for-sale-el-doheny-considering-pur-chase.html|url-status=live}}</ref> In 1925, du Pont sold the Equitable Building for $38.5 million to the New York Empire Company,<ref>{{cite news|date=March 14, 1925|title=Equitable Building Sold for $38,500,000, Report|page=32|work=Brooklyn Times-Union|url=https://www.newspapers.com/clip/50875124/|access-date=May 13, 2020|via=newspapers.com|archive-date=April 24, 2022|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20220424185250/https://www.newspapers.com/clip/50875124/equitable-building-sold-for/|url-status=live}}</ref><ref>{{cite news|date=March 14, 1925|title=Group Purchases Equitable Building|page=86|work=New York Daily News|url=https://www.newspapers.com/clip/50876058/|access-date=May 13, 2020|via=newspapers.com|archive-date=April 24, 2022|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20220424185251/https://www.newspapers.com/clip/50876058/group-purchases-equitable-building/|url-status=live}}</ref> a subsidiary of the [[Brotherhood of Locomotive Engineers and Trainmen]].<ref>{{Cite news|date=April 7, 1925|title=Labor is Landlord at 120 Broadway; Bank of Locomotive Engineers Floats $5,000,000 Bonds on Equitable Building|language=en-US|work=The New York Times|url=https://www.nytimes.com/1925/04/07/archives/labor-is-landlord-at-120-broadway-bank-of-locomotive-engineers.html|access-date=May 12, 2020|issn=0362-4331|archive-date=November 3, 2020|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20201103083547/https://www.nytimes.com/1925/04/07/archives/labor-is-landlord-at-120-broadway-bank-of-locomotive-engineers.html|url-status=live}}</ref> The next year, the Brotherhood sold the building to a syndicate composed of [[William Henry Vanderbilt]], Harry C. Cushing III, and Leroy W. Baldwin for $40 million.<ref>{{Cite news|date=July 24, 1926|title=Equitable Building Sold by Labor Union; W.H. Vanderbilt, H.C. Cushing 3d and L.W. Baldwin Buy It From Locomotive Engineers|language=en-US|work=The New York Times|url=https://www.nytimes.com/1926/07/24/archives/equitable-building-sold-by-labor-union-wh-vanderbilt-hc-cushing-3d.html|access-date=May 12, 2020|issn=0362-4331|archive-date=November 3, 2020|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20201103083642/https://www.nytimes.com/1926/07/24/archives/equitable-building-sold-by-labor-union-wh-vanderbilt-hc-cushing-3d.html|url-status=live}}</ref><ref>{{cite news|date=July 24, 1926|title=Equitable Building Sold for $40,000,000|page=4|work=Brooklyn Standard Union|url=https://www.newspapers.com/clip/50876729/|access-date=May 13, 2020|via=newspapers.com|archive-date=April 24, 2022|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20220424185250/https://www.newspapers.com/clip/50876729/equitable-building-sold-for-40000000/|url-status=live}}</ref> By 1928, the Equitable Building was assessed at $31 million, making it the highest-valued building in New York City.<ref>{{Cite news|date=November 4, 1928|title=Taxable Real Estate in City of New York; The Equitable Building Still Holds First Place on the Tax List.|language=en-US|work=The New York Times|url=https://www.nytimes.com/1928/11/04/archives/taxable-real-estate-in-city-of-new-york-the-equitable-building.html|access-date=May 12, 2020|issn=0362-4331|archive-date=November 3, 2020|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20201103085357/https://www.nytimes.com/1928/11/04/archives/taxable-real-estate-in-city-of-new-york-the-equitable-building.html|url-status=live}}</ref>

==== 1940s through 1960s ====
By the 1940s, the Equitable Office Building Corporation was in poor financial shape. Bankruptcy proceedings started in 1940, but were delayed due to [[World War II]]; three potential investors submitted dueling proposals in 1946.<ref>{{Cite news|last=Cooper|first=Lee E.|date=July 20, 1947|title=New Group Offers Plan to Refinance Equitable Building; Dowling and Noyes Interested in Amended Proposal for Broadway Structure|language=en-US|work=The New York Times|url=https://www.nytimes.com/1947/07/20/archives/new-group-offers-plan-to-refinance-equitable-building-dowling-and.html|access-date=May 13, 2020|issn=0362-4331|archive-date=November 3, 2020|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20201103100453/https://www.nytimes.com/1947/07/20/archives/new-group-offers-plan-to-refinance-equitable-building-dowling-and.html|url-status=live}}</ref> The building was refinanced in 1947, receiving a first-mortgage loan of $14.5 million, among the largest ever in New York City's history.<ref>{{Cite news|date=November 3, 1947|title=Skyscraper Gets $14,750,000 Loan; Equitable Building Financed by 25-Year Mortgage Replacing Existing Lien|language=en-US|work=The New York Times|url=https://www.nytimes.com/1947/11/03/archives/skyscraper-gets-14750000-loan-equitable-building-financed-by-25year.html|access-date=May 13, 2020|issn=0362-4331|archive-date=November 3, 2020|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20201103100503/https://www.nytimes.com/1947/11/03/archives/skyscraper-gets-14750000-loan-equitable-building-financed-by-25year.html|url-status=live}}</ref> At this time, Equitable Life sold the mortgage on the tower.<ref name="NPS p. 2" />

In 1954, [[Webb and Knapp]] bought all of the Equitable Office Building Corporation's [[common stock]], and thereby acquired ownership of the building.<ref>{{Cite news|date=May 10, 1954|title=Webb, Knapp Seeks Equitable Building|language=en-US|work=The New York Times|url=https://www.nytimes.com/1954/05/10/archives/webb-knapp-seeks-equitable-building.html|access-date=May 7, 2020|issn=0362-4331|archive-date=November 3, 2020|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20201103103717/https://www.nytimes.com/1954/05/10/archives/webb-knapp-seeks-equitable-building.html|url-status=live}}</ref><ref>{{cite news|last=Rogers|first=John|date=April 15, 1954|title=Act to Acquire Equitable Bldg.|page=160|work=New York Daily News|url=https://www.newspapers.com/clip/50893064/|access-date=May 13, 2020|via=newspapers.com}}</ref> [[Lawrence Wien]] bought the lease for the land in 1956, though Webb and Knapp retained ownership of the building as well as its operating sublease.<ref>{{Cite news|date=August 25, 1958|title=Sublease Is Being Sold On Equitable Building|language=en-US|work=The New York Times|url=https://www.nytimes.com/1958/08/25/archives/sublease-is-being-sold-on-equitable-building.html|access-date=May 13, 2020|issn=0362-4331|archive-date=November 3, 2020|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20201103110955/https://www.nytimes.com/1958/08/25/archives/sublease-is-being-sold-on-equitable-building.html|url-status=live}}</ref> By then, Equitable was planning to build the new [[1285 Avenue of the Americas]] on [[Sixth Avenue]] between 51st and 52nd streets in [[Midtown Manhattan]].<ref>{{Cite news|date=July 18, 1956|title=Equitable Buying 6th Ave. Property; Company Reported Planning New Home Office Building Near 51 st Street|language=en-US|work=The New York Times|url=https://www.nytimes.com/1956/07/18/archives/equitable-buying-6th-ave-property-company-reported-planning-new.html|access-date=May 13, 2020|issn=0362-4331|archive-date=November 3, 2020|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20201103103826/https://www.nytimes.com/1956/07/18/archives/equitable-buying-6th-ave-property-company-reported-planning-new.html|url-status=live}}</ref> Two years later, the Equitable Life Assurance Company bought the building outright, as part of a $25 million exchange wherein Webb and Knapp bought the Sixth Avenue plot.<ref>{{Cite news|date=September 12, 1958|title=Equitable's Site Obtained in Deal; 120 Broadway Building Part of 25-Million Transaction With Webb & Knapp|language=en-US|work=The New York Times|url=https://www.nytimes.com/1958/09/12/archives/equitables-site-obtained-in-deal-120-broadway-building-part-of.html|access-date=May 13, 2020|issn=0362-4331|archive-date=November 3, 2020|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20201103111001/https://www.nytimes.com/1958/09/12/archives/equitables-site-obtained-in-deal-120-broadway-building-part-of.html|url-status=live}}</ref> In addition, Wien assumed the building's operating sublease the same year.<ref>{{Cite news|date=November 20, 1958|title=Equitable Lease Bought by Wien; Operating Contract Taken on 40-Story Building|language=en-US|work=The New York Times|url=https://www.nytimes.com/1958/11/20/archives/equitable-lease-bought-by-wien-operating-contract-taken-on-40story.html|access-date=May 13, 2020|issn=0362-4331|archive-date=November 3, 2020|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20201103111011/https://www.nytimes.com/1958/11/20/archives/equitable-lease-bought-by-wien-operating-contract-taken-on-40story.html|url-status=live}}</ref> Equitable moved to 1285 Avenue of the Americas in 1961 from its previous home office at 393 Seventh Avenue.<ref name="NYCL p. 7" /><ref>{{Cite news|last=MacGregor|first=Greg|date=September 25, 1961|title=Equitable Opens Its New Building; At Midtown Dedication It Is Praised by Wagner|language=en-US|work=The New York Times|url=https://www.nytimes.com/1961/09/25/archives/equitable-opens-its-new-building-at-midtown-dedication-it-is.html|access-date=May 13, 2020|issn=0362-4331|archive-date=November 3, 2020|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20201103115737/https://www.nytimes.com/1961/09/25/archives/equitable-opens-its-new-building-at-midtown-dedication-it-is.html|url-status=live}}</ref>

==== 1970s to present ====
The building was designated a [[National Historic Landmark]] in 1978.<ref name="nhlsum2">{{cite web|date=September 12, 2007|title=Equitable Building|url=http://tps.cr.nps.gov/nhl/detail.cfm?ResourceId=1771&ResourceType=Building|url-status=dead|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20110605233608/http://tps.cr.nps.gov/nhl/detail.cfm?ResourceId=1771&ResourceType=Building|archive-date=June 5, 2011|access-date=September 13, 2007|work=National Historic Landmark summary listing|publisher=National Park Service}}
* {{cite web|last=Adams, George R.|date=January 1977|title=Equitable Building – National Register of Historic Places Inventory-Nomination|url={{NHLS url|id=78001869}}|publisher=National Park Service}}
* {{cite web|date=January 1977|title=Equitable Building – Accompanying Photos – National Register of Historic Places|url={{NHLS url|id=78001869|photos=y}}|publisher=National Park Service}}</ref> [[Silverstein Properties]] purchased the Equitable Building in 1980 for $60 million,<ref name="nyt19820523">{{Cite news|last=Daniels|first=Lee A.|date=May 23, 1982|title=New Tax Breaks Spurring Preservation|language=en-US|work=The New York Times|url=https://www.nytimes.com/1982/05/23/realestate/new-tax-breaks-spurring-preservation.html|access-date=May 13, 2020|issn=0362-4331|archive-date=November 3, 2020|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20201103225636/https://www.nytimes.com/1982/05/23/realestate/new-tax-breaks-spurring-preservation.html|url-status=live}}</ref> in partnership with five pension funds whose mortgage nearly covered the purchase price.<ref>{{Cite news|last=Henry|first=Diane|date=November 29, 1981|title=New Twist in Financing Changes Builders' World|language=en-US|work=The New York Times|url=https://www.nytimes.com/1981/11/29/realestate/new-twist-in-financing-changes-builders-world.html|access-date=May 13, 2020|issn=0362-4331|archive-date=November 3, 2020|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20201103220632/https://www.nytimes.com/1981/11/29/realestate/new-twist-in-financing-changes-builders-world.html|url-status=live}}</ref> After buying the building, [[Larry Silverstein]] renovated and restored it at a cost of $30 million,<ref name="nyt19820523" /> to a design by Ehrenkrantz, Eckstut & Whitelaw.<ref name="aia" /><ref name="nycland" /> The project entailed replacing the terracotta ornamentation, as well as the original terracotta frames for the windows, which was replaced with [[Fiberglass|glass-fiber reinforced plastic]]. The window sash and main entrances were also replaced, and the lobby was refurbished.<ref name="nyt19900221">{{Cite news|last=Lyons|first=Richard D.|date=February 21, 1990|title=Real Estate; Seven-Year Face Lift Is Completed|language=en-US|work=The New York Times|url=https://www.nytimes.com/1990/02/21/business/real-estate-seven-year-face-lift-is-completed.html|access-date=May 12, 2020|issn=0362-4331|archive-date=November 5, 2020|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20201105030311/https://www.nytimes.com/1990/02/21/business/real-estate-seven-year-face-lift-is-completed.html|url-status=live}}</ref><ref name="NYCL pp. 7-8">{{harvnb|Landmarks Preservation Commission|1996|ps=.|pp=7–8}}</ref> The renovation was completed in 1990.<ref name="nyt19900221" /><ref>{{cite AIA4|page=42}}</ref> As a result of the project, occupancy rates increased from 60% in 1991 to 80% in 1993.<ref>{{Cite news|last=Deutsch|first=Claudia H.|date=October 17, 1993|title=Commercial Property: Downtown Manhattan; At Last, Prime Office Space Shows Signs of Demand|language=en-US|work=The New York Times|url=https://www.nytimes.com/1993/10/17/realestate/commercial-property-downtown-manhattan-last-prime-office-space-shows-signs.html|access-date=May 13, 2020|issn=0362-4331|archive-date=November 5, 2020|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20201105211640/https://www.nytimes.com/1993/10/17/realestate/commercial-property-downtown-manhattan-last-prime-office-space-shows-signs.html|url-status=live}}</ref> Following the [[early 1990s recession]], Silverstein sold his ownership stake and leased the Equitable Building, though Silverstein Properties bought it back in 1999.<ref>{{Cite news|last=Bagli|first=Charles V.|date=August 17, 2002|title=Trade Center Leaseholder Braces for Battle; Proposed Land Swap and Changed Development Plans Imperil Silverstein|language=en-US|work=The New York Times|url=https://www.nytimes.com/2002/08/17/nyregion/trade-center-leaseholder-braces-for-battle-proposed-land-swap-changed.html|access-date=May 13, 2020|issn=0362-4331|archive-date=November 8, 2020|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20201108040843/https://www.nytimes.com/2002/08/17/nyregion/trade-center-leaseholder-braces-for-battle-proposed-land-swap-changed.html|url-status=live}}</ref> The [[New York City Landmarks Preservation Commission]] designated the Equitable Building a [[Lists of New York City landmarks|New York City landmark]] in 1996.<ref name="aia" /><ref name="nycland" /> Silverstein supported the city designation, and the commission wrote in its report that the Equitable Building was "one of the finest office buildings of the era".<ref name="nyt19960908" /> In 2007, it was designated as a contributing property to the [[Wall Street Historic District (Manhattan)|Wall Street Historic District]],<ref name="Howe" /> a NRHP district.<ref name="nris_2007">{{cite web|date=2007|title=National Register of Historic Places 2007 Weekly Lists|url=https://www.nps.gov/subjects/nationalregister/upload/weekly-list-2007-national-register-of-historic-places.pdf|access-date=July 20, 2020|publisher=National Park Service|page=65|archive-date=December 28, 2019|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20191228214611/https://www.nps.gov/subjects/nationalregister/upload/weekly-list-2007-national-register-of-historic-places.pdf|url-status=live}}</ref>

In 2017, Silverstein announced another round of renovations, which cost $50 million and were undertaken by [[Beyer Blinder Belle]].<ref name="Bisnow 2017" /> The plan included restoring many historic features including the glass mosaic at the front entrance, the chandeliers in the lobby, and reopening the Bankers Club at the top of the building as an amenity space. The renovation also created twin rooftop terraces spanning a combined {{convert|5,500|sqft|m2}}.<ref name="co20181127">{{Cite web|title=The Plan: Silverstein Revives 120 Broadway's Legendary Bankers Club|url=https://commercialobserver.com/2018/11/the-plan-silverstein-120-broadway-bankers-club/|last=Mashayekhi|first=Rey|date=November 27, 2018|website=Commercial Observer|language=en-US|access-date=May 10, 2020|archive-date=August 19, 2020|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20200819180622/https://commercialobserver.com/2018/11/the-plan-silverstein-120-broadway-bankers-club/|url-status=live}}</ref><ref>{{Cite news|last=Margolies|first=Jane|date=March 20, 2018|title=Equitable Building, Spur for Modern Zoning, Will Get a $50 Million Face-Lift|language=en-US|work=The New York Times|url=https://www.nytimes.com/2018/03/20/business/equitable-building-renovation.html|access-date=May 13, 2020|issn=0362-4331|archive-date=September 17, 2020|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20200917051047/https://www.nytimes.com/2018/03/20/business/equitable-building-renovation.html|url-status=live}}</ref> The renovation was completed in July 2019.<ref>{{Cite web|title=This week in NYC funding news: The historic Bankers Club is back at the Equitable Building|url=https://www.bizjournals.com/newyork/news/2019/07/12/this-week-in-nyc-funding-news-the-bankers-club.html|last=Noto|first=Anthony|date=July 12, 2019|website=New York Business Journal|access-date=May 10, 2020|archive-date=April 20, 2021|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20210420230545/https://www.bizjournals.com/newyork/news/2019/07/12/this-week-in-nyc-funding-news-the-bankers-club.html|url-status=live}}</ref><ref>{{Cite web|title=Silverstein Properties Completes $50 Million Renovation of the Equitable Building at 120 Broadway in the Financial District|url=https://newyorkyimby.com/2019/07/silverstein-properties-completes-50-million-renovation-of-the-equitable-building-at-120-broadway-in-the-financial-district.html|last=Young|first=Michael|date=July 21, 2019|website=New York YIMBY|language=en-US|access-date=May 10, 2020|archive-date=February 20, 2020|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20200220135612/https://newyorkyimby.com/2019/07/silverstein-properties-completes-50-million-renovation-of-the-equitable-building-at-120-broadway-in-the-financial-district.html|url-status=live}}</ref> Several murals resembling street art were installed on the third floor in November 2019.<ref>{{Cite web|title=Silverstein Properties Unveils Equitable Building's Mural Series at 120 Broadway in the Financial District|url=https://newyorkyimby.com/2019/11/silverstein-properties-unveils-equitable-buildings-mural-series-at-120-broadway-in-the-financial-district.html|last=Morris|first=Sebastian|date=November 26, 2019|website=New York YIMBY|language=en-US|access-date=May 11, 2020|archive-date=August 4, 2020|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20200804202802/https://newyorkyimby.com/2019/11/silverstein-properties-unveils-equitable-buildings-mural-series-at-120-broadway-in-the-financial-district.html|url-status=live}}</ref><ref>{{cite web|title=Street art moves into Lower Manhattan landmark|url=https://www.pix11.com/2019/11/18/street-art-moves-into-lower-manhattan-landmark|last=Mocker|first=Greg|date=November 19, 2019|website=WPIX|access-date=May 11, 2020|archive-date=August 19, 2020|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20200819181017/https://www.pix11.com/2019/11/18/street-art-moves-into-lower-manhattan-landmark|url-status=live}}</ref> Tenants {{As of|2023|lc=y}} include the [[New York City Department of City Planning]],<ref>{{cite web|title=Contact the Department of City Planning|url=https://www1.nyc.gov/site/planning/about/contact-us.page|publisher=[[New York City Department of City Planning]]|access-date=July 11, 2019|archive-date=July 11, 2019|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20190711134827/https://www1.nyc.gov/site/planning/about/contact-us.page|url-status=live}}</ref>  [[Macmillan Publishers]],<ref>{{Cite web|title=Macmillan Heads Downtown, Leaving Flatiron Building|url=https://www.publishersweekly.com/pw/by-topic/industry-news/publisher-news/article/74383-macmillan-heads-south.html|work=PublishersWeekly.com|first=John|last=Maher|date=August 1, 2017|access-date=July 21, 2019|archive-date=July 21, 2019|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20190721210219/https://www.publishersweekly.com/pw/by-topic/industry-news/publisher-news/article/74383-macmillan-heads-south.html|url-status=live}}</ref> architecture firm [[Beyer Blinder Belle]],<ref>{{Cite web|title=Beyer Blinder Belle {{!}} TRD Research|url=https://therealdeal.com/new-research/topics/company/beyer-blinder-belle/|website=therealdeal.com|access-date=May 13, 2020|archive-date=September 22, 2020|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20200922054504/https://therealdeal.com/new-research/topics/company/beyer-blinder-belle/|url-status=live}}</ref> the [[Securities Industry and Financial Markets Association]],<ref>{{Cite web|title=Securities Industry and Financial Markets Association, Inc|url=https://www.bizjournals.com/profile/company/org_ch_537bb6bd470ef15c2a24dd768163df67|website=www.bizjournals.com|access-date=May 13, 2020}}</ref> the [[New York City Housing Development Corporation]],<ref name="Hallum 2022">{{cite web | last=Hallum | first=Mark | title=New York City Housing Agency Snaps Up 109K SF at 120 Broadway | website=Commercial Observer | date=August 15, 2022 | url=https://commercialobserver.com/2022/08/new-york-city-housing-agency-snaps-up-109k-sf-at-120-broadway/ | access-date=August 19, 2022}}</ref> and [[Tower Research Capital]].<ref name="Hallum 2023 t459">{{cite web | last=Hallum | first=Mark | title=Trading Firm Tower Research Consolidating NYC Offices to 122K SF at 120 Broadway | website=Commercial Observer | date=September 6, 2023 | url=https://commercialobserver.com/2023/09/trading-firm-tower-research-consolidating-nyc-offices-to-122k-sf-at-120-broadway/ | access-date=September 8, 2023}}</ref>

== Notable incidents ==
There were numerous incidents where parts of the building were damaged. For instance, lightning caused part of the cornice to break off during 1925.<ref>{{Cite news|date=June 17, 1925|title=Lightning Shatters Equitable Building Cornice; Leaves Wake of Damage in 3 Eastern States|language=en-US|work=The New York Times|url=https://www.nytimes.com/1925/06/17/archives/lightning-shatters-equitable-building-cornice-leaves-wake-of-damage.html|access-date=May 13, 2020|issn=0362-4331|archive-date=November 3, 2020|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20201103083557/https://www.nytimes.com/1925/06/17/archives/lightning-shatters-equitable-building-cornice-leaves-wake-of-damage.html|url-status=live}}</ref> In March 1942, a seven-inch (17&nbsp;cm) shell struck the 37th floor of the building but caused little damage and no injuries. The shell was one of eight fired by an anti-aircraft battery near the [[East River]] by mistake; the other rounds fell harmlessly into the river.<ref>{{Cite web|title=City Room; Taking Questions {{!}} War Historian; On the Home Front, Battleships and Bombs|url=https://archive.nytimes.com/query.nytimes.com/gst/fullpage-9C06E0D8163BF930A35753C1A9669D8B63.html|date=October 3, 2010|website=The New York Times|language=en|access-date=May 13, 2020|archive-date=August 19, 2020|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20200819183825/https://archive.nytimes.com/query.nytimes.com/gst/fullpage-9C06E0D8163BF930A35753C1A9669D8B63.html|url-status=live}}</ref><ref>{{cite news|date=March 14, 1942|title=Lower Manhattan Shelled; Faulty Gun, Says Army|pages=[https://www.newspapers.com/clip/50883296/ 1], [https://www.newspapers.com/clip/50883470/ 11]|work=Poughkeepsie Eagle-News|via=newspapers.com}}</ref> The 1942 incident made the Equitable Building the first in New York City to suffer war damage during World War II, and it subsequently took out an insurance policy.<ref>{{Cite news|date=July 11, 1942|title=Equitable Building to Get War Policy; Court Authorizes Taking Out of $16,000,000 Insurance|language=en-US|work=The New York Times|url=https://www.nytimes.com/1942/07/11/archives/equitable-building-to-get-war-policy-court-authorizes-taking-out-of.html|access-date=May 13, 2020|issn=0362-4331|archive-date=November 3, 2020|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20201103100322/https://www.nytimes.com/1942/07/11/archives/equitable-building-to-get-war-policy-court-authorizes-taking-out-of.html|url-status=live}}</ref> In February 1953, a broken water main flooded the basements with {{Convert|2|e6gal|L|abbr=}} of water, temporarily disabling the elevators.<ref>{{cite news|date=February 3, 1913|title=Broken Main Ties Up 40-Story Skyscraper|page=5|work=Brooklyn Daily Eagle|url=https://bklyn.newspapers.com/clip/50892861/|access-date=May 12, 2020|via=Brooklyn Public Library; newspapers.com}}</ref><ref>{{Cite news|date=February 7, 1953|title=Restoring Elevator Service|language=en-US|work=The New York Times|url=https://www.nytimes.com/1953/02/07/archives/restoring-elevator-service.html|access-date=May 13, 2020|issn=0362-4331|archive-date=November 3, 2020|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20201103103644/https://www.nytimes.com/1953/02/07/archives/restoring-elevator-service.html|url-status=live}}</ref>

Throughout the Equitable Building's history, several people have died after they fell or jumped from the building. In the building's early years, such incidents included a clerk who landed on a taxi in 1925;<ref>{{Cite news|date=March 25, 1925|title=Crashes Into Taxi in 17-story Plunge; Insurance Clerk Goes Through Roof of Cab Just as Passenger Alights|language=en-US|work=The New York Times|url=https://www.nytimes.com/1925/03/25/archives/crashes-into-taxi-in-17story-plunge-insurance-clerk-goes-through.html|access-date=May 12, 2020|issn=0362-4331|archive-date=November 3, 2020|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20201103083542/https://www.nytimes.com/1925/03/25/archives/crashes-into-taxi-in-17story-plunge-insurance-clerk-goes-through.html|url-status=live}}</ref> a woman who jumped from the roof after losing money in the [[Wall Street Crash of 1929]];<ref>{{Cite news|date=November 8, 1929|title=Crowd Sees Woman Die in 40-story Drop; Brokerage Clerk, 51, Plunges From Roof of Equitable Building to Cedar Street|language=en-US|work=The New York Times|url=https://www.nytimes.com/1929/11/08/archives/crowd-sees-woman-die-in-40story-drop-brokerage-clerk-51-plunges.html|access-date=May 12, 2020|issn=0362-4331|archive-date=November 3, 2020|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20201103085449/https://www.nytimes.com/1929/11/08/archives/crowd-sees-woman-die-in-40story-drop-brokerage-clerk-51-plunges.html|url-status=live}}</ref> a broker who jumped in 1937;<ref>{{Cite news|date=April 20, 1937|title=Broker Plunges to Death; Thousands See R. B. Frasse Drop 21 Stories at Equitable Building|language=en-US|work=The New York Times|url=https://www.nytimes.com/1937/04/20/archives/broker-plunges-to-death-thousands-see-r-b-frasse-drop-21-stories-at.html|access-date=May 13, 2020|issn=0362-4331|archive-date=November 3, 2020|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20201103094555/https://www.nytimes.com/1937/04/20/archives/broker-plunges-to-death-thousands-see-r-b-frasse-drop-21-stories-at.html|url-status=live}}</ref> and an incident in 1930 where a jumper killed both himself and a truck driver on the ground.<ref>{{Cite news|date=October 16, 1930|title=Kills Man in Fall From Skyscraper; Body of Unidentified Youth Crushes Truck Driver Parked at Equitable Building|language=en-US|work=The New York Times|url=https://www.nytimes.com/1930/10/16/archives/kills-man-in-fall-from-skyscraper-body-of-unidentified-youth.html|access-date=May 13, 2020|issn=0362-4331|archive-date=November 3, 2020|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20201103085544/https://www.nytimes.com/1930/10/16/archives/kills-man-in-fall-from-skyscraper-body-of-unidentified-youth.html|url-status=live}}</ref> There were also several people who killed themselves inside the building, such as the shooting suicide of a politician in 1933 and another one in 1937.<ref>{{Cite news|date=November 24, 1933|title=G.c. Austin Kills Himself by Shot; Body of Former Assemblyman Found in Equitable Building|language=en-US|work=The New York Times|url=https://www.nytimes.com/1933/11/24/archives/gc-austin-kills-himself-by-shot-body-of-former-assemblyman-found-in.html|access-date=May 13, 2020|issn=0362-4331|archive-date=November 3, 2020|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20201103092852/https://www.nytimes.com/1933/11/24/archives/gc-austin-kills-himself-by-shot-body-of-former-assemblyman-found-in.html|url-status=live}}</ref>

== Impact ==

=== Critical reception ===
Many architectural critics had negative comments about the Equitable Building.<ref name="Chappell p. 110">{{harvnb|Chappell|1992|ps=.|p=110}}</ref> [[Francisco Mujica (architect)|Francisco Mujica]] stated in 1927 that "its intelligent interior arrangement and the central location of its 50 elevators" was the only appealing part of the Equitable Building.<ref name="Chappell p. 110" /><ref>{{cite book|last=Mujica|first=Francisco|url=https://books.google.com/books?id=hihDQwAACAAJ|title=History of the Skyscraper|publisher=Archaeology and Architecture Press|year=1927|page=37}}</ref> Another critic called it a "monstrous parasite on the veins and arteries of New York".<ref name="REM p. 11" /> Sally A. Kitt Chappell wrote that the Equitable Building "was tall but without the redeeming slender, spirelike quality of a tower, and yet its height prevented it from having the urbanistic decorum of an office block".<ref name="Chappell p. 109" /> However, Chappell also wrote that the building had "mitigate[d] two of the major evils of which skyscrapers were accused, as its fireproofing and elevator service attest."<ref name="Chappell p. 110" />

There was also significant resistance to the building's shape.<ref name="NYCL p. 5" /> Opponents stated that the building also overwhelmed nearby infrastructure by blocking ventilation, straining nearby transit facilities, and preventing firemen from easily reaching the upper floors. The shadow was more than six times the lot area and up to {{Convert|0.2|mi|m|abbr=}} long.<ref name="Chappell p. 109" /><ref name="NYCL p. 6" /> One journal stated that the Equitable Building cast a {{convert|7|acre|m2|adj=on}} shadow on its surroundings, including a permanent shadow on the [[Singer Building]] up to its 27th floor and the [[City Investing Building]] up to its 24th floor, and completely cutting off sunshine to at least three other adjacent buildings shorter than 21 stories.<ref>{{cite magazine|date=November 1918|title=Shadows Cast by Skyscrapers|url=https://books.google.com/books?id=64I9AQAAMAAJ&pg=PA248|journal=Buildings and Building Management|publisher=Building Manager Publishing Company|page=38|access-date=May 11, 2020|archive-date=September 16, 2020|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20200916103915/https://books.google.com/books?id=64I9AQAAMAAJ&pg=PA248|url-status=live}}</ref> Even during the cornerstone laying, Mayor Mitchel had alluded to the possibility that the Equitable Building might be the last bulky skyscraper to be erected in New York City.<ref>{{Cite news|date=May 3, 1914|title=New Equitable Office Building May Be Last of Huge Skyscrapers|language=en-US|work=The New York Times|url=https://www.nytimes.com/1914/05/03/archives/new-equitable-office-building-may-be-last-of-huge-skyscrapers-mayor.html|access-date=May 12, 2020|issn=0362-4331|archive-date=November 3, 2020|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20201103081532/https://www.nytimes.com/1914/05/03/archives/new-equitable-office-building-may-be-last-of-huge-skyscrapers-mayor.html|url-status=live}}</ref>

=== Zoning law ===
[[File:Equitable Building.jpg|left|thumb|The Equitable Building in 2011, showing the effect of [[1916 Zoning Resolution|pre-zoning]] skyscrapers when seen from the sidewalk]]
The Equitable Building's construction was one of the influences behind the passage of [[zoning]] reform in New York City.<ref name="Chappell p. 109" /><ref name="Willis p. 69" /> The ''[[AIA Guide to New York City]]'' described the building as "more famous for what it caused than what it is",<ref>{{Cite aia5|page=39}}</ref> although the Equitable Building was only one of the several catalysts of such reform.<ref name="Chappell p. 109" /><ref name="nyt20160726">{{Cite news|last=Dunlap|first=David W.|date=July 25, 2016|title=Zoning Arrived 100 Years Ago. It Changed New York City Forever.|language=en-US|work=The New York Times|url=https://www.nytimes.com/2016/07/26/nyregion/new-yorks-first-zoning-resolution-which-brought-order-to-a-chaotic-building-boom-turns-100.html|access-date=May 13, 2020|issn=0362-4331|archive-date=July 11, 2019|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20190711221354/https://www.nytimes.com/2016/07/26/nyregion/new-yorks-first-zoning-resolution-which-brought-order-to-a-chaotic-building-boom-turns-100.html|url-status=live}}</ref>

Opposition to super-tall buildings dated as far back as 1894.<ref name="Chappell p. 109" /> Early attempts by [[Ernest Flagg]] to limit the height of New York's skyscrapers in 1896 failed; further unsuccessful attempts followed between 1906 and 1908, and legislation was turned down again in 1909, partially because of pressure from the real estate industry.<ref name="NYCL p. 6" /><ref name="WillisP68" /> After 1913, however, the city's property market entered a recession, and vacancy levels in buildings began to rise.<ref name="WillisP68">{{harvnb|Willis|1995|p=68|ps=.}}</ref> The Committee on Congestion of Population in New York,{{efn|Created in 1907 by a group of citizens that included [[Benjamin C. Marsh]]<ref name="LC p. 349"/>}} as well as the Fifth Avenue Association, were among the groups that advocated for such legislation to limit building heights.<ref name="Chappell p. 109" /><ref name="LC p. 349">{{harvnb|Landau|Condit|1996|ps=.|p=349}}</ref><ref>{{cite book|last=Page|first=M.|url=https://books.google.com/books?id=-SZYgkjj4B8C&pg=PA62|title=The Creative Destruction of Manhattan, 1900–1940|publisher=University of Chicago Press|year=1999|isbn=978-0-226-64468-4|series=Historical Studies of Urban America|pages=62–63|access-date=May 11, 2020|archive-date=September 15, 2020|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20200915235838/https://books.google.com/books?id=-SZYgkjj4B8C&pg=PA62|url-status=live}}</ref> The [[New York City Board of Aldermen]]'s Building Commission had published preliminary reports for zoning controls in 1913, when the Equitable Building was barely under construction. Nevertheless, in the following years, opponents of super-tall skyscrapers frequently cited the Equitable Building's bulk.<ref name="Chappell p. 109" />

After the Equitable Building's completion, numerous nearby property owners filed for reduced property valuation assessments on the basis that significant rental income had been taken by the shadow that the building cast.<ref name="Chappell p. 110" /> Following the public criticism of the Equitable Building, the real estate industry finally ceased its objections to new legislation, and the [[1916 Zoning Resolution]] was passed.<ref name="WillisP68" /> The legislation limited the height and required [[Setback (architecture)|setbacks]] for new buildings to allow the penetration of sunlight to street level. New buildings were thus required to withdraw progressively at a defined angle from the street as they rose, in order to preserve sunlight and the open atmosphere in their surroundings.<ref name="NYCL p. 5" /><ref name="nyt20160726"/> Chappell writes that if the Equitable Building were completed after the resolution's passage, it would have had two setbacks below the 18th floor, and the building above that point would have been a small tower.<ref name="Chappell p. 110" /> The effort to place restrictions on land use in New York City led to the [[Standard State Zoning Enabling Act]], a nationwide zoning legislation.<ref>{{cite book|author=Advisory Committee on Zoning|url=https://planning-org-uploaded-media.s3.amazonaws.com/legacy_resources/growingsmart/pdf/SZEnablingAct1926.pdf|title=A Standard State Zoning Enabling Act: Under which municipalities may adopt zoning regulations|date=1926|publisher=U.S. Government Printing Office|edition=Revised (1926)|page=iii|access-date=May 13, 2020|archive-date=August 19, 2020|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20200819180414/https://planning-org-uploaded-media.s3.amazonaws.com/legacy_resources/growingsmart/pdf/SZEnablingAct1926.pdf|url-status=live}}</ref> The subsequent 1961 Zoning Resolution allowed the construction of bulky towers if they contained plazas.<ref name="NYCL p. 6" />

==See also==
{{Portal|Architecture|New York City|NRHP}}
* [[Early skyscrapers]]
* [[List of National Historic Landmarks in New York City]]
* [[List of New York City Designated Landmarks in Manhattan below 14th Street]]
* [[National Register of Historic Places listings in Manhattan below 14th Street]]

==References==
===Notes===
{{Notelist}}

=== Citations ===
{{Reflist}}

=== Sources ===
{{Refbegin}}
* {{cite book|last=Buley|first=R.C.|url=https://babel.hathitrust.org/cgi/pt?id=mdp.39015017364897&view=1up&seq=13|title=The Equitable Life Assurance Society of the United States: One Hundredth Anniversary History, 1859/1959|publisher=Appleton-Century-Crofts|year=1959|issue=v. 2|access-date=May 13, 2020|archive-date=August 25, 2021|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20210825230146/https://babel.hathitrust.org/cgi/pt?id=mdp.39015017364897&view=1up&seq=13|url-status=live}}
* {{cite book|last=Chappell|first=S.A.K.|url=https://books.google.com/books?id=VDtdoWdT8EEC&pg=PA111|title=Architecture and Planning of Graham, Anderson, Probst and White, 1912–1936: Transforming Tradition|publisher=University of Chicago Press|year=1992|isbn=978-0-226-10134-7|series=Chicago Architecture and Urbanism|pages=104–110}}
* {{cite web|url=http://s-media.nyc.gov/agencies/lpc/lp/1935.pdf|title=Equitable Building|date=June 25, 1996|publisher=[[New York City Landmarks Preservation Commission]]|ref={{harvid|Landmarks Preservation Commission|1996}}|access-date=May 6, 2020|archive-date=July 31, 2020|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20200731175506/http://s-media.nyc.gov/agencies/lpc/lp/1935.pdf|url-status=live}}
* {{cite web|url=https://npgallery.nps.gov/GetAsset/67601cac-4e94-4aad-91a0-d743b12d4336|title=Historic Structures Report: Equitable Building|date=June 2, 1978|publisher=[[National Register of Historic Places]], [[National Park Service]]|ref={{harvid|National Park Service|1978}}|access-date=May 6, 2020|archive-date=August 19, 2020|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20200819175726/https://npgallery.nps.gov/GetAsset/67601cac-4e94-4aad-91a0-d743b12d4336|url-status=live}}
* {{cite book|last1=Horowitz|first1=Louis J.|url=https://books.google.com/books?id=_wIkpwAACAAJ|title=The Towers Of New York: The Memoirs Of A Master Builder|last2=Sparkes|first2=B.|last3=Shreve|first3=H.A.|publisher=Literary Licensing, LLC|year=2011|isbn=978-1-258-18724-8}}
* {{cite book|last=Korom|first=Joseph J.|url=https://archive.org/details/bub_gb_JVzYO1TyZ6AC|title=The American Skyscraper, 1850-1940: A Celebration of Height|publisher=Branden Books|year=2008|isbn=978-0-8283-2188-4}}
* {{cite nysky}}
* {{cite magazine|date=February 1915|title=The Epic of the Equitable|url=https://books.google.com/books?id=Mu9FAQAAMAAJ&pg=PA11|magazine=The Real Estate Magazine|publisher=Allied Publishing Company|volume=5|number=2|ref={{sfnref|''The Real Estate Magazine''|1915}}|access-date=June 17, 2021|archive-date=June 24, 2021|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20210624200900/https://books.google.com/books?id=Mu9FAQAAMAAJ&pg=PA11|url-status=live}} Full issue dedicated to the Equitable building.
* {{cite book|last=Willis|first=Carol|title=Form Follows Finance: Skyscrapers and Skylines in New York and Chicago|publisher=Princeton Architectural Press|year=1995|isbn=978-1-56898-044-7}}
{{Refend}}

==External links==
{{Commons category|Equitable Building (Manhattan)}}
* {{oweb|https://www.silversteinproperties.com/portfolio-properties/120-broadway}}

{{s-start}}
{{succession box | title=[[List of largest buildings in the world|Largest office building in the world]]<br />by floor area<br />1915–1928 | before=[[Manhattan Municipal Building]]  | after=[[Merchandise Mart]] | years=}}
{{s-end}}

{{Broadway (Manhattan)}}
{{Financial District, Manhattan}}
{{New York City Historic Sites}}
{{National Register of Historic Places in New York}}
{{Authority control}}

[[Category:1910s architecture in the United States]]
[[Category:1915 establishments in New York City]]
[[Category:Broadway (Manhattan)]]
[[Category:Financial District, Manhattan]]
[[Category:Historic district contributing properties in Manhattan]]
[[Category:Individually listed contributing properties to historic districts on the National Register in New York (state)]]
[[Category:National Historic Landmarks in Manhattan]]
[[Category:New York City Designated Landmarks in Manhattan]]
[[Category:New York State Register of Historic Places in New York County]]
[[Category:Office buildings completed in 1915]]
[[Category:Office buildings on the National Register of Historic Places in Manhattan]]
[[Category:Skyscraper office buildings in Manhattan]]