Architectural Marvels

✎ The landmark limestone building was originally built between 1910 and 1914 as a 12 story structure after a design by Henry J. Hardenberg. The iconic tower with pyramidal roof — topped by a "Tower of Light" designed to look like a miniature temple and capped by a bronze lantern which lights up at night — was added in 1926-1928 by Warren & Wetmore and brought the building up to a its current height of 26-floors (478ft.). The tower was designed with a sixteen-foot-wide clock face on each of its four sides, a recessed loggia above that and on top of its pyramidal cap a gigantic 38-foot bronze lantern, about the size of a four story building. The tower was lit up at night with colored dials on the clock, a wash of changing colored light on the loggia, and five beacons inside the lantern: one shooting straight up, the others coming out the sides.

✎ The Consolidated Gas Company was formed in 1884 with the merger of six of the city's independent gas companies. Consolidated Edison, Inc., commonly known as Con Edison or Con Ed, is one of the largest investor-owned energy companies in the United States. It's a regulated utility providing electric, gas, and steam service in New York City and Westchester County.

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