There’s a little bit of retail history hiding at the top of the Woolworth Building in Lower Manhattan. The 40th floor was once the personal retreat and executive office of F.W. Woolworth, founder of the five-and-dime empire that helped reshape American shopping. Today, it’s a private residence spanning more than 6,000 square feet.
The landmarked neo-Gothic building on Park Place was commissioned by Woolworth and completed in 1913. At the time, it was the tallest building in the world, and Woolworth’s corporate headquarters occupied much of the tower. The business eventually became part of what is now Foot Locker, but the Woolworth name is still attached to one of New York’s most well-known skyscrapers.
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The dining room is surrounded by arched windows.
Oleg Davidoff
Residence 40 sits 516 feet above City Hall Park and is the only residence in the building with both 15-foot ceilings and the original polychromatic terra-cotta detailing in a floral motif around the windows, which brings some of the building’s original architectural character right into the apartment.
A private elevator opens into a 50-foot great room with views across Lower Manhattan and both the Hudson and East rivers. The dining room can accommodate more than 20 people, and the kitchen has custom Dada cabinetry, Calacatta Caldia marble, and Miele appliances.
The kitchen has white cabinetry, a large island, and views of the building’s Neo-Gothic facade.
Oleg Davidoff
Each of the four bedrooms has a private bathroom, with the corner primary suite offering city and river views, along with a large dressing room and a marble bathroom with heated floors.
The building was designed by architect Cass Gilbert, and its terra-cotta exterior and Gothic details are still a big part of what makes it recognizable. The upper floors were later converted into 33 residences by Alchemy Properties, with the late architect Thierry W. Despont overseeing the interiors.
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The primary bedroom features a sitting area and expansive city views.
Oleg Davidoff
The conversion to residences added things not found in Woolworth’s day, including a pool, a fitness studio, a wine cellar and tasting room, and full-time staff. Residents also have access to the Gilbert Lounge, named for the building’s original architect.
The Woolworth Building has had its share of notable residents and cameos over the years. The RealReal founder Julie Wainwright recently relisted her condo for $7.9 million, while another home famously doubled as Kendall Roy’s apartment in Succession.
Residence 40 is asking $18.5 million, with Catherine Juracich of Corcoran handling the listing.
Click here to see more photos of the Lower Manhattan home.
Oleg Davidoff
Authors
Abby Montanez
