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Flatiron Building. Photo by Lorax. .

Top 10 Unbelievable Facts about the Flatiron Building

The Flatiron Building is a 22-story triangular that is 285 feet tall. It is located at 175 Fifth Avenue in Flatiron District, New York City. The building was designed by Daniel Burnham and Frederick Dinkelberg. It was one of the tallest buildings upon completion in 1902 at 20 floors high.

Back then, it was one of the two only ‘skyscrapers’ north of 14^th Street the other being the Metropolitan Life Insurance Company Tower. It is often referred to as ‘one of the world’s most iconic skyscrapers and a quintessential symbol of New York City.

The building is wedge-shaped. It resembles a clothes’ iron box hence the name Flatiron Building. It is one of New York City’s oldest surviving skyscrapers.  It is a very popular landmark to the extent that Flatiron District is named after it. Let us look at the top 10 unbelievable facts about Flatiron Building.

1. It was originally called Fuller Building

Portrait of George A. Fuller, architect and general contractor, whose film built the Flatiron Building in New York City, as well as many historic buildings in Chicago. Photo by Unknown.

After the building was erected in 1902, it was inaugurated as the ‘Fuller Building’. The Fuller Company from which the name was derived was a company specializing in skyscrapers.

The founder of the company George A. Fuller is referred to as the ‘father of the skyscrapers’.  George Fuller was an architect and a real estate developer. Two years before the building was completed, George Fuller died. The name of the building was changed to Flatiron Building.

2. It was designed by Daniel H. Burnham

The Flatiron Building was designed by Chicago architect Daniel Burnham. It was a prime architectural design at the advent of steel skyscraper construction in the United States.

Laws had just been passed requiring buildings to be constructed using steel. The land on which Flatiron Building now stands was owned by the CEO of the Fuller Company, Harry S. Black. He commissioned Burnham to design the building.

Burnham used the Renaissance design aesthetic with Beaux-Arts styling. The building has a firm base that becomes slender as it moves towards the capital.

3. It has been featured in various films

Godzilla star on the Hollywood Walk of Fame, in Hollywood, Los Angeles, California. Photo by FeldBum. .

The Flatiron Building is used frequently in commercials, and documentaries and has been featured in various films because it is an easily recognizable symbol of the city.

In the Late Show with Davis Letterman, the building is featured in the opening credits. Films and series like Friends, Spun City, Veronica’s closet, and Godzilla have the building featured. In Godzilla, the Flatiron Building is accidentally destroyed by the U.S. Army while in pursuit of Godzilla.

4. The current name was inspired by Flat Irons

The design of the Flatiron Building accentuates a triangle. This is due to the acute angle at 5^th and Broadway that creates this corner. The building is therefore wedge-shaped.

It derives the name ‘Flatiron’ from its resemblance to an ironing board or a clothes iron box. However, the owner of the building Amos Eno also contributed to the name.

The building was previously called Eno’s flatiron. Amos Eno offered advertising space on a screen that was erected on top of the building at the tip of the triangle.

5. The building initially lacked ladies’ restrooms

During its construction, it was not thought that the Flatiron Building would have many female users. Therefore, no restrooms for women were included in the building.

The management of the building had to incorporate women’s bathrooms later on. This was achieved by designating bathrooms on odd-numbered floors for women. By default, the men’s bathrooms are on the even-numbered floors.

6.Flatiron Building received skepticism because of its shape

When construction of the Flatiron Building began, many residents raised numerous concerns. They believed that the triangle shape of the building combined with the height would cause the building to fall.

The building was even nicknamed Burnham’s Folly. Steel structures were something new at that time hence the heightened skepticism. Flatiron Building remains to be one of the oldest skyscrapers in the world.

7. It designated a New York City landmark in 1966

The building was designated a New York City landmark in 1966. It was also added to the National Register of Historic Places 13 years later in 1979. Shortly after in 1989, Flatiron Building was decreed a National Historic Landmark.

It embodies the maximization of space even as urban development increases. The building has always stood out since its very construction. Flatiron building continues to attract many photographers who try to capture its very essence. Visitors flock to the area to have a glimpse of the iconic building.

8. The downdraught effect causes the wind to increase in speed at the foot of the building

Flatiron Building, New York, United States. Carlos Delgado. .

The location of the building at the intersection of Fifth Avenue and East 22^nd Street created many draughts. The windy section became popular with men standing around to witness the skirts of women being lifted by the wind.

The expression ’23 Skidoo’ which means get lost was popularized around this effect. It came from NYPD Officers who regularly patrolled in front of Flatiron chasing away men who hoped to watch women’s skirts fly up in the wind.

9. The building has only one staircase

The entire Flatiron Building has a single staircase. The staircase is supposed to be utilized in case evacuation is needed. There are plans to add another staircase.

The 21^st floor was added three years after the construction was completed. Therefore, to reach the 21^st floor, one has to step into a different elevator after reaching the 20^th floor.

10. It is included in the Lego Architecture series

The simplest lego set in the architecture series. Photo by InSapphoWeTrust. .

The sub-product of the main lego brand included the Flatiron Building in their landmark collections. Legos are plastic building-block toys. LEGO is a Danish phrase leg godt which means ‘play well’.

The plastic bricks and other standardized components fit together with studs to create something. Therefore, the lego set for the Flatiron Building has the plastic pieces fitting each other forming the Flatiron Building on completion.