Ampico Building (New York City, New York)

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Ampico Building (short for American Piano Company)
Alternative name : Chickering Hall
Height (estimated) 59.61 m
Length 30.48 m : Width 14.63 m
Floors (above ground)15 : Floors (below ground) 1
Construction end 1925
Architect: Cross & Cross

This 13-story building was erected by a piano manufacturer, but is not really competition for the larger and far more opulent and extravagant Steinway Building further to the west on 57th Street. Its caryatids, however, are marvelous

History has been good to this building, as the plaza and slope of the skyscraper immediately adjacent to the east, The Solow Building @ 9 West 57th Street, gave it greater exposure, and its original dark masonry has been painted white making it a far brighter urban object. What really singles this building out, of course, is its very ornate decoration and regilding of not only its quite mysterious and elegant rooftop caryatids but also its spandrels.

Despite such gaudiness, however, the overall effect of the decoration and gilding is quite irrepressible and its bold ornamentation is all the more lovable because of its juxtaposition with its Goliath, sleek, but somber, skyscraper neighbor. Chickering Hall was formerly located at 437 Fifth Avenue where it maintained a recital hall.

Major Tenants Include:
Office
I.M.C. Group, Inc.; Swarovsk

www.vnooffice.com/portfolio/property/29-west-57th-stree...
www.thecityreview.com/57w27.html
www.emporis.com/building/american-piano-company-buildin...