Rise of the New York Skyscraper: 1865-1913

by Sarah Bradford Landau, Carl W. Condit

This prizewinning book chronicles the history of New York`s first skyscrapers, challenging conventional wisdom that it was in Chicago, not New York, that the skyscraper was born. Drawing on rich contemporary sources to show how remarkable developments in commerce, land use, technology, design, and zoning law enabled architects and engineers to create the first tall buildings, the authors claim New York City was beyond doubt the birthplace of skyscraper form and construction techniques.

Genres: Architecture, New York

496 pages, Paperback

First published April 24, 1996

About the author

Sarah Bradford Landau (1935–2023) was an architectural historian who taught for many years in the Department of Art History at New York University.

Reviews

[Jeramey · Rating 4 out of 5]

Incredibly thorough look at the origin of skyscrapers in Manhattan. Definitely changed how I look at the city.

A good companion to a similar book I read about Chicago.