The Day the Market Crashed

This beautiful example of 1920's Art Deco architecture provides one of the most distinctive features of Rochester's skyline.  The most noteworthy feature of the building are its four 42 foot high, 12,000 pound aluminum wings, but the whole building is a study in the art deco style and grand optimism of the roaring 20's. 

It was designed by the architecture firm of  Voorhees, Gmelin and Walker, who are famous for many distinctive buildings in New York City, including the impressive Bank of New York Building at #1 Wall Street.

It has always been used mainly as a bank or finance building throughout it's history.  Ironically, the cornerstone of the building was laid the day the stock market crashed, October 29, 1929, marking the beginning of the Great Depression.

The best way to view this building is to approach it running over the Broad Street Bridge (mentioned in a previous post).  I was able to capture it a sunrise on an amazingly warm November morning.

Click on pictures to enlarge.