Potter Building
Encyclopedia
The Potter Building is an iron-framed office building located at 35-38 Park Row
in Manhattan
, NY.
Commissioned by Orlando B. Potter
and designed by Norris G. Starkweather, it was constructed from 1883 to 1886. It replaced one of the New York World
's former buildings which burned down in 1882 doing more than $400,000 in damage. The facade was constructed of brick and terracotta, which was chosen by Potter due to its fire resistance and low cost. This soon led to terracotta becoming a popular element in other New York skyscrapers. It was a revolutionary structure in that it was virtually fireproof, made possible by the iron frame and the terracotta, and was the first use of fire-protected steel frame.
s first headquarters. However, fire broke out in the building around 10:00 PM on January 31, 1882 and destroyed much of the block within a few hours.
Park Row (Manhattan)
Park Row is a street located in the Financial District of the New York City borough of Manhattan. It was previously called Chatham Street and during the late 19th century it was nicknamed Newspaper Row, as most of New York City's newspapers located on the street to be close to the action at New...
in Manhattan
Manhattan
Manhattan is the oldest and the most densely populated of the five boroughs of New York City. Located primarily on the island of Manhattan at the mouth of the Hudson River, the boundaries of the borough are identical to those of New York County, an original county of the state of New York...
, NY.
Commissioned by Orlando B. Potter
Orlando B. Potter
Orlando Bronson Potter was a U.S. Representative from New York.Born in Charlemont, Massachusetts , the son of Samuel and Sophia Rice Potter, he attended the district school, Williams College, Williamstown, Massachusetts, and the Dane Law School, Cambridge, Massachusetts. MA 1867, LLD 1889...
and designed by Norris G. Starkweather, it was constructed from 1883 to 1886. It replaced one of the New York World
New York World
The New York World was a newspaper published in New York City from 1860 until 1931. The paper played a major role in the history of American newspapers...
's former buildings which burned down in 1882 doing more than $400,000 in damage. The facade was constructed of brick and terracotta, which was chosen by Potter due to its fire resistance and low cost. This soon led to terracotta becoming a popular element in other New York skyscrapers. It was a revolutionary structure in that it was virtually fireproof, made possible by the iron frame and the terracotta, and was the first use of fire-protected steel frame.
1882 fire
The old Potter Building, or the World Building, was completed in 1857 and was the New York WorldNew York World
The New York World was a newspaper published in New York City from 1860 until 1931. The paper played a major role in the history of American newspapers...
s first headquarters. However, fire broke out in the building around 10:00 PM on January 31, 1882 and destroyed much of the block within a few hours.