You’ve seen it. Even if you don't know the name, if you’ve looked at a postcard of Lower Manhattan in the last ninety years, that green pyramidal roof has caught your eye. It’s the Bank of Manhattan Company Building. Most people just call it 40 Wall Street these days, or maybe the Trump Building if they’re looking at the big gold letters on the front. But the history of this place is way more chaotic than a corporate mailing address.
It was born out of a literal race to the clouds.
Back in 1929, New York was obsessed with height. It was a ego-driven, high-stakes game of "mine is bigger than yours" played by the city's wealthiest developers. The Bank of Manhattan Company Building wasn't just built to hold offices; it was built to crush the competition. Specifically, it was built to beat the Chrysler Building.
The Great 1930 Height War
The drama is actually kinda hilarious when you look back at it. You had H. Craig Severance, the architect for 40 Wall Street, and William Van Alen, the guy designing the Chrysler Building. These two used to be partners. Then they had a falling out and became bitter rivals. Severance thought he had the win in the bag. He kept adding floors to the Bank of Manhattan Company Building until it hit 927 feet.
He stood back, looked at the Chrysler Building—which was stalled at a lower height—and declared victory. He was the king of the world for exactly one month.
What he didn't know was that Van Alen had a secret weapon: a 185-foot stainless steel spire hidden inside the Chrysler Building's fire shaft. As soon as the Bank of Manhattan Building was "finished," Van Alen hoisted that spire up in about 90 minutes. Suddenly, the Chrysler Building was 1,046 feet. Severance was devastated. He’d lost the title of the world’s tallest building before the paint was even dry on his lobby walls.
Then, within a year, the Empire State Building came along and made them both look short. New York real estate moves fast.
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What's Actually Inside the Bank of Manhattan Company Building?
Walking past it today, you feel the weight of the Art Deco era. The base is clad in granite and limestone, feeling heavy and permanent, which is exactly what a bank in the 1930s wanted to project. They wanted you to think your money was safe behind those massive walls.
The building is technically a "setback" design. Because of the 1916 Zoning Resolution, architects couldn't just build a straight sheer wall up to the sky—it would block all the sunlight from hitting the street. So, the Bank of Manhattan Company Building tapers as it goes up, like a giant, tiered wedding cake made of steel and brick.
The lobby is where things get really interesting. It’s not just one floor; it’s a series of levels. Historically, the main banking hall was reached by a grand staircase because the bank wanted that sense of "ascending" to do business. Today, much of that grandeur remains, though it’s been renovated more times than most people can count.
Honestly, the sheer scale of the 70 floors is hard to grasp until you're standing in the middle of the floor plate. In the 30s, this was the pinnacle of office luxury. Nowadays, it’s a mix of financial firms, law offices, and tech startups trying to soak up some of that old-school Wall Street prestige.
That One Time a Plane Hit It
Here’s a fact most people forget: 40 Wall Street has survived a literal air strike.
In 1946, a U.S. Coast Guard plane was flying through a thick fog. The pilot, likely disoriented by the "soupy" weather that often rolls off the East River, crashed straight into the 58th floor of the Bank of Manhattan Company Building. It killed five people.
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It’s a grim piece of history, but it speaks to the resilience of these pre-war skyscrapers. The plane tore a 20-foot hole in the building, but the steel skeleton held. They patched it up, and if you look at the exterior today, you’d never know it happened. It’s a testament to the over-engineering of the era. They didn't just build these things to be tall; they built them to be invincible.
The Trump Era and Modern Controversy
In 1995, Donald Trump bought the leasehold for the building. At the time, the Bank of Manhattan Company Building was in rough shape. It was largely vacant, the windows were drafty, and the mechanical systems were ancient. He spent a fortune—some estimates say over $35 million—renovating it.
This is where the name change happened. While the deed might still reference its historic roots, the facade now screams "The Trump Building."
Whether you love the guy or hate him, the renovation probably saved the building from becoming a derelict relic. He updated the elevators, polished the marble, and brought the occupancy back up. But it hasn't been without drama. In recent years, the building has been at the center of various legal battles and valuations, keeping it in the headlines for reasons that have nothing to do with architecture.
Is it Worth Visiting?
If you're a fan of architecture, absolutely. You can't really go "touring" through the private office floors, but you can stand at the corner of Wall and William Streets and look up.
The top is the best part. That Gothic-inspired spire with the green copper (it’s green because of oxidation, just like the Statue of Liberty) is one of the most recognizable points in the city. At night, when it's lit up, it looks like something straight out of a Batman movie. Gotham City was largely modeled after this specific era of Manhattan architecture, and 40 Wall Street is the blueprint.
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Real Talk: The Limitations of 40 Wall Street
It's not all gold and glory. Older buildings like the Bank of Manhattan Company Building have quirks.
- The elevators can be slow compared to modern glass towers like One World Trade.
- The floor plates are "choppy" because of the interior columns.
- Maintaining a copper roof that's nearly 1,000 feet in the air is a logistical nightmare.
But you don't go to 40 Wall Street for a seamless, ultra-modern experience. You go for the soul of it. You go because you want to stand where the titans of the 1920s stood when they were trying to build the future.
How to Experience the Building Today
You don't need a pass to appreciate the Bank of Manhattan Company Building. Here is how to actually "see" it properly:
- The Long View: Go to the Brooklyn Heights Promenade. From across the water, the green spire of 40 Wall Street stands out perfectly against the backdrop of the newer, boxier towers.
- The Street View: Stand at the intersection of Wall Street and Broad Street, right by the Federal Hall National Memorial. Look east. The way the building frames the narrow canyon of Wall Street is iconic.
- The Lobby Peep: You can usually walk into the public areas of the lobby. Don't be weird about it—just walk in like you belong there. Look at the ceiling heights and the quality of the stone work. They literally don't make buildings like this anymore because it would cost billions in labor alone.
The Bank of Manhattan Company Building is a survivor. It survived the Great Depression, which hit right as it opened. It survived a plane crash. It survived the decline of Lower Manhattan in the 70s and 80s.
It’s still here, still green, and still a massive middle finger to anyone who thinks modern glass boxes are better than old-school masonry.
Actionable Steps for History Buffs
If you're planning to dive deeper into the history of NYC's skyscrapers, don't just stop at reading about them.
- Visit the Skyscraper Museum: Located in Battery Park City, they have incredible models and original blueprints of the Bank of Manhattan Company Building. Seeing the scale models of the "Height War" between Severance and Van Alen puts the whole rivalry into perspective.
- Check the Landmark Records: The building was designated a New York City Landmark in 1995. You can find the original designation report online through the Landmarks Preservation Commission. It contains the most granular detail possible about every cornice and window frame on the property.
- Walk the Financial District at Night: The lighting on the spire of 40 Wall Street is most dramatic after 10:00 PM when the surrounding street noise dies down. It’s the best time to photograph the Art Deco details without a thousand tourists in your shot.
Understanding 40 Wall Street is basically understanding the DNA of New York City. It’s about ambition, rivalry, and building something that lasts long after the people who dreamed it up are gone. It’s not just a bank building; it’s a monument to the idea that in New York, the sky is never actually the limit.