(arquivo Ralph Walker/CASACOR)
Completed at the height of New York City's love affair with Art Deco architecture , One Wall Street marks an era. Occupying an entire city block in New York City's bustling Financial District , the building was originally designed by Ralph Walker , who, in 1957 , was named " the architect of the century " by the New York Times. (arquivo Ralph Walker/CASACOR)
Built for the Irving Trust , an American investment bank, the skyscraper opened in the early 1930s and continued to serve as an office building until 2015. The building is currently being converted into residential housing. (arquivo Ralph Walker/CASACOR)
The photographs show the bold and distinctive shape of Wall Street, with its numerous stepped recesses that became a hallmark of the Art Deco style . Walker, who had previously designed other buildings in New York, sought to incorporate decorative elements at the soil to humanize the skyscraper and leave a positive impression on pedestrians passing through the area. The building's ornate and grand entrance leads to the interior where Hildreth Meière , one of the most prominent muralists of her time, was asked to create a "customer-friendly" reception area for the company's clients. (Macklowe Properties/CASACOR)
As part of the building's renovation, this triple-height space, known as the " red room ," has now been completely restored and will soon be used for retail. The room's warm colors change from a deep blood-red on the floor to an orange with gold on the walls. In 2014, Macklowe Properties acquired the property and commissioned architectural firm SLCE to convert the historic building into residences with retail stores at its base . In total, the renovated building will house 566 condominiums and a suite of amenities that includes an athletic club, event space and spa services . The project is expected to be fully completed by the end of 2022. Via Designboom
