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.
Singer Building at a Glance#
About Singer Building#
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.
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).
Weather & Climate near Singer Building#
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.
| Month | Comfort | Temp | Feels | Rain | Sky | Humidity | Wind | UV | Daylight |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| January | Poor | -4° - 4° | -5° | 95 mm | partly cloudy | 82% | 4.8 m/s | 0.2 low | 9.5h |
| February | Poor | -3° - 5° | -4° | 77 mm | partly cloudy | 81% | 4.9 m/s | 0.4 low | 10.5h |
| March | Acceptable | 1° - 10° | 2° | 105 mm | partly cloudy | 81% | 5.0 m/s | 0.7 moderate | 11.8h |
| April | Good | 6° - 16° | 11° | 103 mm | partly cloudy | 82% | 4.8 m/s | 1.1 high | 13.1h |
| May | Very Good | 11° - 22° | 16° | 111 mm | partly cloudy | 84% | 4.2 m/s | 1.4 high | 14.3h |
| June | Excellent | 16° - 26° | 21° | 92 mm | partly cloudy | 83% | 4.0 m/s | 1.7 very high | 14.8h |
| July | Excellent | 20° - 29° | 24° | 115 mm | partly cloudy | 80% | 3.7 m/s | 1.8 very high | 14.6h |
| August | Excellent | 19° - 28° | 24° | 109 mm | partly cloudy | 78% | 3.6 m/s | 1.5 very high | 13.6h |
| September | Very Good | 15° - 24° | 20° | 103 mm | partly cloudy | 77% | 3.8 m/s | 1.2 high | 12.3h |
| October | Very Good | 9° - 18° | 13° | 92 mm | partly cloudy | 78% | 4.0 m/s | 0.6 moderate | 11.0h |
| November | Acceptable | 4° - 12° | 6° | 104 mm | partly cloudy | 79% | 4.5 m/s | 0.3 low | 9.8h |
| December | Poor | -1° - 7° | -1° | 95 mm | partly cloudy | 82% | 4.7 m/s | 0.2 low | 9.2h |
