Tabassum Blog 15

The Bayard–Condict Building is located at 65 Bleecker Street between Broadway and Lafayette Street, at the head of Crosby Street in the NoHo neighborhood of Manhattan, New York City. It is the only work of Louis Sullivan in New York City. It was built between 1897 and 1899. The building was originally known as the Condict Building before being renamed as the Bayard Building. The building was considered to be a radical design for its time, since it contradicted with the strictures of American Renaissance architecture which were the accepted status quo, but it had a very little influence on architectural design in New York City, because of its location and the industrial area that Bleecker Street was during that period. This commercial office building is clad in white terra cotta over a masonry wall. The Bayard Building was one of the first steel skeleton frame skyscrapers in New York City. The Department of Buildings raised several objections to the design before the plans were finally accepted. It is one of the first examples of the Chicago school style of architecture in New York City. The associate architect for this building was Lyndon P. Smith. The building is divided into three sections – an ornamented base, a shaft of identical stacked floors, and a decorated crown; this definitely shows Sullivan's views on skyscraper design. At 13 stories and 162 feet high, the building does not attempt to disguise its height, but rather accentuates it by leaving relatively undecorated mullions and pilasters. Sullivan's signature ornate floral designs decorate the base and top of the facade, and across the spandrels below the window openings. Figural sculptures of angels were added at the request of the client, Silas Alden Condict, over Sullivan's objections. The building was designated as a New York City landmark in 1975, and has been a National Historic Landmark since 1976.