Cass Gilbert was commissioned by Frank Woolworth to design the world’s tallest building, and he was required to cast over 30 proposals before his final design was approved. Until the Chrysler Building, it was indeed the tallest at almost 800ft. The Gothic design, making the structure appear as an enormous church spire, was blended with modern technology, using a steel frame to withstand high winds, and Gothic-influenced decoration bejewelled the cream terra-cotta façade with subtle blue and yellow accents. It is essentially a 15th century-style Neogothic structure of arches, spires, flying buttresses and gargoyles, the latter adorning the building caricature Gilbert, Woolworth and the other main people involved.

Written by  George Monkhouse.

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