Singer Building

Building Former early-20th-century skyscraper once world's tallest

An early 20th-century commercial skyscraper once towering in Lower Manhattan, the Singer Building was demolished in 1968; architectural historians visit the site and archives to study early skyscraper construction and design.

Main image

The Singer Building was an early skyscraper in Lower Manhattan, New York City, built as the headquarters for the Singer Manufacturing Company and completed in 1908. At about 612 feet (187 metres) tall including its tower, it was for a short time the world’s tallest building.

Architect Ernest Flagg’s design combined a commercial base with a tall, ornate office tower and a distinctive clock/tower element. The building was demolished in 1968 to make way for new development, and its removal remains notable in histories of New York’s changing skyline.

Located in the financial district of lower Manhattan near Broadway and the area around City Hall and Fulton Street, the Singer Building no longer exists but is frequently referenced in studies of early 20th-century skyscraper design and lost architectural landmarks of New York.

  • Dates: Completed in 1908 and designed by architect Ernest Flagg, it was briefly the tallest building in the world and was demolished in 1968.
Singer Building
40.7095, -74.0108
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How to Get to Singer Building #

The former Singer Building stood in Lower Manhattan near Broadway and Fulton Street. To visit the site, take the New York City Subway to the Fulton Street station complex (A, C, J, Z, 2, 3, 4, 5 lines) and walk about 2-5 minutes to the location on Broadway (near Liberty/Fulton). Driving from midtown Manhattan is typically a 20-30 minute drive depending on traffic.

Tips for Visiting Singer Building #

  • There is no building to visit: the Singer Building in New York was demolished in 1968. Don't plan a site visit expecting the original skyscraper.
  • To study the building and its significance, go to the Skyscraper Museum in Manhattan or consult archival photos and drawings at the New York Public Library's digital collections, which hold reliable historic material about the Singer Building.

Best Time to Visit Singer Building #

Best seen in spring or fall when weather in New York City is most comfortable and outdoor walking is pleasant; note the original Singer Building no longer stands (site is visited for historical interest).

Spring
April-May · ~8-20°C
Mild, pleasant weather for walking the site and surrounding Lower Manhattan areas.
Summer (busiest)
June-August · ~20-30°C
Warmer weather but higher visitor numbers across Manhattan and nearby attractions.
Winter
December-February · ~0-8°C
Colder conditions and fewer casual visitors; outdoor exploration can be brisk.

Weather & Climate near Singer Building #

Climate

Singer Building's climate is classified as Humid Subtropical - Humid Subtropical climate with warm summers (peaking in July) and freezing winters (coldest in January). Temperatures range from -4°C to 29°C. Abundant rainfall (1201 mm/year), wettest in July, distributed fairly evenly throughout the year.

Air Quality: AQI 35 Good
Best Time to Visit
JuneJulyAugust
Temperature & Rainfall
Temperature Range
34°
Warmest Month
-14°
Coldest Month
Monthly Conditions

January

January is the coldest month with highs of 4°C and lows of -4°C. Regular rainfall (95 mm) and partly cloudy skies.

46 Poor

Comfort

0°
Feels Like Freezing
0°C
Temperature
-4° – 4°
82%
Humidity
Very Humid

Weather

95 mm
Rainfall
4.8 m/s
Wind
Light Breeze
0.2
UV Index
Low
9.5h daylight

February

February is cold with highs of 5°C and lows of -3°C. Moderate rainfall (77 mm) and partly cloudy skies.

46 Poor

Comfort

1°
Feels Like Cold
1°C
Temperature
-3° – 5°
81%
Humidity
Very Humid

Weather

77 mm
Rainfall
4.9 m/s
Wind
Light Breeze
0.4
UV Index
Low
10.5h daylight

March

March is cold with highs of 10°C and lows of 1°C. Significant rainfall (105 mm) and partly cloudy skies.

54 Acceptable

Comfort

5°
Feels Like Cold
5°C
Temperature
1° – 10°
81%
Humidity
Very Humid

Weather

105 mm
Rainfall
5.0 m/s
Wind
Light Breeze
0.7
UV Index
Moderate
11.8h daylight

April

April is cool with highs of 16°C and lows of 6°C. Significant rainfall (103 mm) and partly cloudy skies.

64 Good

Comfort

11°
Feels Like Cool
11°C
Temperature
6° – 16°
82%
Humidity
Very Humid

Weather

103 mm
Rainfall
4.8 m/s
Wind
Light Breeze
1.1
UV Index
High
13.1h daylight

May

May is cool with highs of 22°C and lows of 11°C. Significant rainfall (111 mm) and partly cloudy skies.

74 Very Good

Comfort

16°
Feels Like Cool
16°C
Temperature
11° – 22°
84%
Humidity
Very Humid

Weather

111 mm
Rainfall
4.2 m/s
Wind
Light Breeze
1.4
UV Index
High
14.3h daylight

June

June is mild with highs of 26°C and lows of 16°C. Regular rainfall (92 mm) and partly cloudy skies.

82 Excellent

Comfort

21°
Feels Like Mild
21°C
Temperature
16° – 26°
83%
Humidity
Very Humid

Weather

92 mm
Rainfall
4.0 m/s
Wind
Light Breeze
1.7
UV Index
Very High
14.8h daylight

July

July is the warmest month with highs of 29°C and lows of 20°C. The wettest month with heavy rain (115 mm) and partly cloudy skies.

80 Excellent

Comfort

24°
Feels Like Warm
24°C
Temperature
20° – 29°
80%
Humidity
Very Humid

Weather

115 mm
Rainfall
3.7 m/s
Wind
Light Breeze
1.8
UV Index
Very High
14.6h daylight

August

August is mild with highs of 28°C and lows of 19°C. Significant rainfall (109 mm) and partly cloudy skies.

80 Excellent

Comfort

24°
Feels Like Mild
24°C
Temperature
19° – 28°
78%
Humidity
Very Humid

Weather

109 mm
Rainfall
3.6 m/s
Wind
Light Breeze
1.5
UV Index
Very High
13.6h daylight

September

September is mild with highs of 24°C and lows of 15°C. Significant rainfall (103 mm) and partly cloudy skies.

78 Very Good

Comfort

20°
Feels Like Mild
20°C
Temperature
15° – 24°
77%
Humidity
Very Humid

Weather

103 mm
Rainfall
3.8 m/s
Wind
Light Breeze
1.2
UV Index
High
12.3h daylight

October

October is cool with highs of 18°C and lows of 9°C. Regular rainfall (92 mm) and partly cloudy skies.

70 Very Good

Comfort

13°
Feels Like Cool
13°C
Temperature
9° – 18°
78%
Humidity
Very Humid

Weather

92 mm
Rainfall
4.0 m/s
Wind
Light Breeze
0.6
UV Index
Moderate
11.0h daylight

November

November is cold with highs of 12°C and lows of 4°C. Significant rainfall (104 mm) and partly cloudy skies.

58 Acceptable

Comfort

8°
Feels Like Cold
8°C
Temperature
4° – 12°
79%
Humidity
Very Humid

Weather

104 mm
Rainfall
4.5 m/s
Wind
Light Breeze
0.3
UV Index
Low
9.8h daylight

December

December is cold with highs of 7°C and lows of -1°C. Regular rainfall (95 mm) and partly cloudy skies.

46 Poor

Comfort

3°
Feels Like Cold
3°C
Temperature
-1° – 7°
82%
Humidity
Very Humid

Weather

95 mm
Rainfall
4.7 m/s
Wind
Light Breeze
0.2
UV Index
Low
9.2h daylight

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