Washington Life Insurance Building, Liberty Street

Photo shows the old 19-story Washington Life Building (16-story above groud) at the southwest corner of Broadway and Liberty Street (141-145 Broadway), built for the Washington Life Insurance Company. Its construction began in 1897 and it was completed in 1898. Cyrus L. W. Eidlitz was the architect of this early skyscraper with bronze tiled mansard roof. The façade on Liberty Street had an extent of 159 feet. The Broadway front was 54 feet, but at the rear the site widened to 84 feet. There was a three-story basement. According to the New York Times (July 11, 1897), they seemed to designate the style of the building as French Renaissance, though the detail of the dormers suggested the Renaissance of North Germany. It was demolished before 1968. The site is now part of the Zuccotti Park.

Singer Building is to the right. Photograph published in 1910 in the book Both Sides of Broadway from Bowling Green to Central Park. Original title: No. 141 Broadway, at Liberty St. Washington Life Insurance Building - Benedict Bros., Diamonds and Jewelry.