History and architecture
An inscription occupying the entire height and length of the frieze of the entablature crowning one of the most monumental Classic colonnades in New York quotes Herodotus, "Neither Snow nor rain nor heat nor gloom of night stays these couriers from the swift completion of their appointed rounds." Although such couriers carry out their appointed tasks in a far different manner today than in 1913, the building still indicates, unmistakably, that it was designed for the ingress and egress of thousands.
Fifty years later the building continues to be a beehive of activity, and its admirable plan takes the traffic in its stride. The Post Office is one of the few buildings in the City that can be seen from all sides facing as it does Eighth Avenue, Ninth Avenue, and Thirty First and Thirty Third Streets. All of the elevations are equally well proportioned and interesting. It is the Eighth Avenue front with its majestic colonnade of 20 Corinthian columns 53 feet high that creates the greatest architectural effect.
The scale and monumentality inherent in this colonnade, with its attic story terminating in square pavilions at either end, is unparalleled among classic buildings in this City. when viewed with the 31 steps which lead from the street level to the main entrance 22 feet above, the sweep of the steps is overpowering. The sense of the colonnade is repeated on all of the other elevations with pilasters used instead of columns.
It is significant that the design of this building, won in competition, was until recently, a companion piece to Pennsylvania Station designed by the same architects. Today after demolition of the latter, it remains the lone survivor.
Sources and further reading
This history comes from the Landmarks app’s historical catalog. Names and building uses may reflect the period described.