Former New York Life Insurance Building

History and architecture

The home office of the New York Life insurance Company, organized in 1841 and one of the oldest life insurance companies in America. was constructed between 1894 and 1898. A monumental freestanding skyscraper in the neo-Italian Renaissance style, it was designed by Stephen D. Hatch and McKim, Mead & White. The design history is extremely interesting, and somewhat complicated. in a sense, the building was constructed "backwards". The eastern rear section designed by Hatch was originally intended to harmonize with the old New York Life building of 1868-70, then located at the western end of the block.

When Hatch suddenly died, the commission was turned over to McKim, Mead & White and under their supervision the project took on new dimensions; the old building was demolished and the new building, now culminating in a palazzo-like tower on Broadway, was carried to completion. Thus two separate campaigns resulted in the unified and impressive structure we see today.

The New York Life Insurance Company flourished throughout the nineteenth century and was one of the "Big Three" along with Equitable Life and Mutual Life. The company maintained branch offices not only throughout the United States, but also in Europe, Asia and South America. A pioneer in public relations, New York Life recognized the importance of architecture as a symbol of its position within both the insurance industry and the community at large. Its home office was intended to project an image of prosperity, integrity and permanence.