Times Building from Broadway at 41st Street

Times Square looking north from Broadway at West 41st Street, Midtown Manhattan, with the New York Times Building in the center. Source: Frank M. Ingalls photograph collection, New-York Historical Society.

Between about 1902 and 1904, the old Long Acre Square, 42nd Street and Broadway had the New York Subway under construction. Times Building, constructed in 1904 on the site of the old Pabst Hotel, gave the square its name. Hotel Astor also opened in 1904. The old Rossmore Hotel opened in 1876, closed about 1915 and was replaced by a 11-story office building. In the early 20th century, Times Square became a theater, business and hotel center. This area completely changed decades later to become one of the hottest places in New York City, with many skyscrapers and billboards. The New York Times moved its headquarters again, in 1913, to a new Times Building at 229 West 43rd Street, which was expanded twice.