The Beekman Tower is an Art Deco skyscraper situated at the corner of First Avenue and East 49th Street in Midtown Manhattan, New York City.
Video Beekman (Panhellenic) Tower
Overview
The tower was designed by John Mead Howells. Construction began on October 10, 1927, the cornerstone was laid on May 20, 1928, and the building opened on October 1, 1928. Originally named The Panhellenic, it was used as a club and hotel for women who had belonged to national Greek-letter sororities, providing affordable housing for many women entering the workforce during the period. The building features sculpture by Rene Paul Chambellan. The hotel was opened to male guests in 1932, and in 1934 was renamed Beekman Tower (Panhellenic) to present a more inviting image to both genders.
Maps Beekman (Panhellenic) Tower
Later years
The organizational meeting for Gamma Sigma Sigma, National Service Sorority was held here on October 10-12, 1952. The tower was sold in 1964 and became a conventional hotel. The Beekman Tower Hotel operated until 2013, when it was sold to Silverstein Properties, the developer of the World Trade Center, and converted to long-term furnished corporate apartments.
Silverstein has since sold the historical property. Beekman Tower is currently managed by Reside by Aboda.
References
External links
- Beekman Tower at NYC Architecture
- Neighborhood Preservation article
- Panhellenic House history
- Library Of Congress: Panhellenic Tower, 3-7 Mitchell Place, New York, New York County, NY
Source of article : Wikipedia