Walk down the canyons of Lower Manhattan and everything starts to look the same after a while. You've got your gray stone, your glass towers, and that heavy, serious "money" vibe that defines Wall Street. But then you hit 77 Water Street. It’s different. It’s weird. Honestly, it’s one of the few buildings in the Financial District that doesn't feel like it's trying to lecture you on the importance of global trade.
Built in 1970, 77 Water Street New York NY was a radical departure from the stuffy architecture of its time. While most developers were trying to squeeze every cent out of their square footage, the William Kaufman Organization decided to do something human. They built a skyscraper on stilts. They put a fake candy store in the lobby. They even put a full-sized World War I fighter plane on the roof.
It’s a landmark of "pop architecture" that many people walk past without ever looking up. That’s a mistake.
The Architecture of a Floating Giant
Most people don't realize that 77 Water Street was designed by Emery Roth & Sons. If you know New York real estate, you know that name usually means "functional but boring." Not here. They collaborated with Gyo Obata of Hellmuth, Obata & Kassabaum (HOK) to create something that feels weightless.
The building is basically a black glass box suspended on white steel columns. By lifting the actual office space high above the ground, the architects created a massive open plaza at the base. It’s a bold move. In a city where every inch of ground-floor retail is worth a fortune, they gave it away to the public.
This isn't just a lobby; it's an urban park. You've got these wooden walkways over pools of water that make you feel like you're in a Japanese garden rather than a block away from the New York Stock Exchange. The pools are tiled with bright blue mosaics that catch the light in a way that feels almost psychedelic when the sun hits the surrounding glass.
That Sophisticated Candy Store (And Why It Exists)
If you step into the plaza of 77 Water Street New York NY, you’ll see something that looks like it belongs in a 19th-century village. It’s a wooden, old-timey general store.
It’s called "Bridgewaters."
It’s not a movie set. It’s a functioning shop where you can buy candy and newspapers. The Kaufman family, specifically Melvyn Kaufman, hated the idea of "soulless" office buildings. He wanted whimsy. He believed that people working 80-hour weeks in finance needed a moment of joy. So, he built a fake old-fashioned streetscape right underneath a high-tech skyscraper.
The contrast is jarring. You have these massive white structural columns—the kind that hold up thousands of tons of steel—and right next to them is a porch swing and a penny-candy counter. It’s brilliant branding, really. It makes the building memorable in a sea of forgettable towers.
The Plane on the Roof
Look at 77 Water Street New York NY on Google Maps in satellite view. You’ll see it. There is a British Sopwith Camel replica sitting on a "runway" on the roof.
Why? Because Melvyn Kaufman thought the view from neighboring skyscrapers was boring. He figured that if people in the surrounding buildings were going to look down at his roof, they should see something interesting. It’s a full-scale model, complete with a wind sock and runway lights. It’s never flown. It never will fly. It’s just... there.
This kind of architectural eccentricity is basically extinct in modern New York. Today, every roof is covered in HVAC units or luxury "amenity decks" for residents. The Sopwith Camel is a relic of a time when developers had a sense of humor.
Living and Working in the Financial District Today
The Financial District (FiDi) has changed a lot since 1970. It’s not just for bankers anymore. With the conversion of many old office buildings into luxury condos, the area around 77 Water Street is now a residential hub.
The building itself remains a premium office destination. It’s managed with a level of care you don't always see. The lobby renovations have kept the original spirit while updating the tech. The HVAC systems, the elevators, the security—it’s all been brought into the 21st century.
But the "vibe" remains.
When you work at 77 Water Street, you aren't just going to a cubicle. You’re entering a space that acknowledges you're a person. The plaza isn't just "dead space"; it's a place where people actually sit and eat lunch. The heat lamps in the winter and the cool breeze from the water features in the summer make it one of the most functional public spaces in the neighborhood.
What to Know If You're Visiting
If you’re a tourist or an architecture buff, you can’t just wander into the elevator banks. Security is tight, as it is everywhere in Lower Manhattan. However, the plaza is completely open.
- The Best Time to Visit: Mid-morning on a weekday. The "suits" are all upstairs, and the plaza is quiet. The light bounces off the blue pools perfectly around 10:30 AM.
- The "Secret" Detail: Look for the bronze statues. There’s a statue of a businessman sitting on a bench. He’s been there for decades. He’s easy to miss if the plaza is crowded, but he’s part of the "human scale" Kaufman was obsessed with.
- The View: You can’t get to the roof to see the plane, but if you go to a high floor in a nearby building—like the public observation deck at 28 Liberty Street (formerly One Chase Manhattan Plaza)—you can sometimes catch a glimpse of the Sopwith Camel looking back at you.
The Long-Term Value of Whimsy
Is 77 Water Street the most efficient building in New York? Probably not. You could probably pack another 50,000 square feet of office space into that plaza if you really wanted to.
But it remains one of the most leased and sought-after addresses in the area. Why? Because people like being there. Companies like Sage Realty (the leasing arm of Kaufman) understand that "place-making" isn't just a buzzword. It’s a financial strategy.
When your building has a personality, people stay longer. They take care of the space. They identify with the brand. 77 Water Street New York NY proves that you don't have to be a boring glass box to be a successful piece of commercial real estate.
Navigating the FiDi Real Estate Landscape
If you're looking for office space or considering a move to the Financial District, you have to weigh the "cool factor" against the "corporate factor."
A lot of the newer buildings at the World Trade Center site are incredible. They have floor-to-ceiling glass and the latest LEED certifications. But they can also feel a bit sterile. 77 Water Street offers a middle ground. It’s high-tech enough for a modern firm, but it has a soul that a brand-new building simply hasn't earned yet.
It’s also surprisingly accessible. You’re a short walk from the 2, 3, 4, 5, R, and W trains. You’ve got the Staten Island Ferry and the Pier 11/Wall St. ferry terminal right there. For commuters, it’s basically a dream location.
Actionable Insights for Tenants and Visitors
If you're heading to 77 Water Street, keep these three things in mind to make the most of the area:
- Check the Plaza First: Don't just rush into your meeting. Spend five minutes walking the wooden planks over the water. It's a legitimate mental reset.
- Explore the "Secret" Shops: While the candy store is the star, the ground-floor retail in the immediate vicinity has evolved. You're no longer stuck with just generic delis; there are high-end coffee shops and lunch spots that cater to the new residential crowd.
- Use the Ferry: If you’re coming from Brooklyn or Queens, take the NYC Ferry to Pier 11. It’s a three-minute walk to the building entrance, and it’s a much better way to start your day than being crammed onto the 4 train.
77 Water Street isn't just an address. It’s a reminder that New York is at its best when it’s a little bit weird. Whether you're there for a meeting or just passing through on a walking tour of Lower Manhattan, take a second to appreciate the plane on the roof and the candy store in the lobby. We need more buildings that don't take themselves so seriously.