Downtown Athletic Club
| Downtown Club | |
|---|---|
The Downtown Club is the red brick building in the middle.
|
|
| General information | |
| Type | Residential |
| Architectural style | Art Deco |
| Location | 20 West Street, New York, New York 10004 |
| Construction started | 1929 |
| Completed | 1930 |
| Height | |
| Roof | 518 ft (158 m) |
| Top floor | 515 ft (157 m) |
| Technical details | |
| Floor count | 39 |
| Design and construction | |
| Architect |
Starrett & Van Vleck |
| Designated | 2000-11-14 |
| Reference no. | 319 |
Starrett & Van Vleck
The Downtown Club, formerly known as the Downtown Athletic Club, was a private social and athletic club in a 45-story building located at 20 West Street in Lower Manhattan, New York City, United States. It is currently in use as a residential building with condominiums.
The Club was founded in 1926. By 1927, it had purchased this site next to the Hudson River to construct its own building. It was completed in 1930.
The high cost of land necessitated a tall building, and the relatively small lot size dictated that the different functions and facilities of the club, including swimming pool, gymnasium, miniature golf course, squash, and tennis courts, as well as dining rooms and living quarters, be accommodated on separate floors. The Club flirted with bankruptcy in the late 1990s. Discussions were held with local real estate developers to sell off the top hotel floors and for the Club to retain ownership of the lower floors; however, this never came to pass.
The building was designed in a classic Art Deco decor. Its architects, Starrett & van Vleck are also noted for designing several New York City department stores including Lord and Taylor, Bloomingdales and Saks Fifth Avenue shortly before the design of this Club. It has been designated as a landmark in New York, ensuring the building's unique architectural legacy.
The club was less than half a mile south of the World Trade Center and closed after the September 11, 2001 attacks. The club never reopened, and declared bankruptcy in 2002. The 45-story building is now a residential tower named "The Downtown Club" which opened in 2005.
...
Wikipedia