The Woolworth Building - not the World's Largest Drugstore!

Amid the gray, generic concrete skyscrapers of Lower Manhattan stands the Woolworth Building. It's age and design sets it apart from the rest, which makes it impossible to miss from many angles of the island. But this little guy has lost some fame to his younger counterparts (i.e. the Empire State Building or Rockefeller Center) and I'd like to dedicate one of my snippets to this underrated and very overlooked NYC structure.
The neo-gothic, art deco-themed office building was built in 1913 by architect Cass Gilbert . The 30-storied tower atop a 30-storied base is easily recognized by the exterior beige color set against the newer and more bland skyscrapers that surround the structure. The green patina (once copper) roof is one of a kind in the city, and when the sun hits it just right, it is a sight that will physically stop you in awe. It was the world's tallest building for 17 years until 40 Wall Street (now the Trump Building) was finished. It was also the world's most recognizable structure until the Chrysler Building was completed in 1930.
The building is best known simply by name: Woolworth. Frank Woolworth (yes, of drugstore fame) financed the skyscraper in cash (a mere 13.5 million dollars), which was (and is) an unusual publicity tactic for a company. His vision was to erect a true "Cathedral of Commerce" for his corporate headquarters and other businesses. His wish came true - at one time it held more than 1,000 tenants.

The sculpture on the left is a likeness of Frank Woolworth that can be found in the lobby of the building. In the photo he is holding nickels and dimes, which could be comprehended as his paying cash to finance the building or merely because he was the king of the "nickel and dime" stores.
The building has successfully evaded any damage during its lifetime, but did have a $20 million dollar renovation between 1977 and 1981.
It served as the company's headquarters until their bankruptcy in 1997. In 1998, it was sold for $155 million for corporate and residential use.
The entire Woolworth Building (except for the entrance) has been closed to the public since September 11th, 2001, but I've read that there are plans to reopen the building with guided tours within the next year. When that happens, the building can be more fully appreciated, studied, and loved. I just hope that the tour is available for the next time I visit!