In the beginning, skyscrapers were built for a purpose more pressing than the incessant need to showcase the power, success, and ego of the city or architect. The oldest skyscrapers came into existence because of the simple need for space resulting from urban population growth and the need for efficient use of limited land in city centers. Consequently, the development of skyscrapers was a coincidental result of several factors, including needs, technological advancements, and social instances.
The birthplace of this tall structure is none other than the U.S, partially Chicago after the Great Chicago Fire of 1871. This marked the rise of the Chicago School of architecture where Pioneers like William Le Baron Jenney, Daniel Burnham, and Louis Sullivan led this movement, combining the structural strength of steel frames with the aesthetic principles of Romanesque and Beaux-Arts design. They also sought fireproof materials, turning to steel and masonry, which replaced wood. This article will showcase 10 of the oldest skyscraper examples and shed some light on the origins of skyscrapers. Non-shocking spoiler ahead, most of the oldest skyscrapers demonstrated in this list are located in the U.S.
Criteria to Determine Skyscrapers
The earliest recorded use of the word “skyscraper” in print was in 1883 in The Chicago Daily, referring to the city’s new high-rise buildings. This word was short for the term “scrape the sky,” where these newfound structures extended upward toward the sky, almost brushing against or erasing it. Fun fact: ” Skyscraper” has been used in other contexts before, for example, to describe sails on ships and even dramatically tall individuals.
The general description of a skyscraper dictates that it is a tall habitable building with multiple floors that span at least 10 and 20 stories, so that’s about a minimum of 40 meters, but modern skyscrapers must be at least 100 meters tall. A key definitive characteristic is its steel-frame structure which supports the vertical weight without needing thick loading-bearing walls. This innovation, combined with elevators and fire-resistant materials, encapsulated all the hype in the late 19th century around skyscrapers.
When it comes to the oldest skyscrapers, the criteria are quite simple: height, structural innovation, and historical significance. Early skyscrapers were primarily office buildings constructed in cities with limited space, such as New York and Chicago. They set a precedent for modern architecture by employing a tripartite design, mimicking classical columns with a base, shaft, and capital. This allowed for more windows and lighter facades compared to older masonry buildings.
Notable Examples of the Oldest Skyscrapers
Home Insurance Building (Chicago, USA)
Year Built: 1885
Architect: William Le Baron Jenney
Height: 55 meters
This was the world’s first and oldest skyscraper, despite it being demolished in 1931, it remains a vital milestone which influenced the future of skyscraper construction and urban development worldwide. It featured a ground-breaking shift from the traditional masonry construction with a steel skeleton frame. This light-weight structure enabled the building to soar 10 stories high and mark its place in architectural history. Its stone and terra cotta facade paid homage to older designs but with a modern twist due to the steel frame beneath. Its exterior exhumed simplicity with minimal ornamentation, hinting at its functional approach.
Osborne Apartments (New York, USA)
Year Built: 1885
Architect: James Edward Ware
Height: 49 meters
One of the first high-rise apartment buildings in New York City, the Osborne Apartments stands 15 stories tall. The building’s Renaissance Revival style is evident in its richly ornamented facade, with decorative cornices, stone carvings, and terracotta accents. Its innovative design not only made it a luxurious residential space but also set a precedent for high-rise living in urban environments. The use of lighter materials and steel beams enabled the building to reach new heights and gave it a lavish aesthetic both inside and out. Its interiors are equally grand, featuring mosaics, stained glass, and carved wood.
Sun Building (Washington, D.C., USA)
Year Built: 1887
Architect: Alfred B. Mullett
Height: 35.4 meters
The Sun Building, originally built as the Baltimore Sun’s Washington bureau, draws inspiration from the Beaux-Arts style with its grand facades and decorative detailing. It was the tallest building in Washington, D.C., at the time, standing at 9 stories, and was one of the first in the city to feature a steel skeleton frame. The Sun Building’s ornate cornices, pilasters, and the use of modern materials exemplify the grandeur and opulence associated with Beaux-Arts architecture. It also pioneered new technologies, such as steam-powered elevators, which made it a model for skyscraper construction in the capital.
Rookery Building (Chicago, USA)
Year Built: 1888
Architect: Burnham & Root
Height: 55 meters
The Rookery Building is one of the oldest skyscrapers with a striking fusion between tradition and innovation. Its exterior combines a load-bearing stone facade with an emerging steel-frame skeleton, allowing it to stand 12 stories tall. The two-story lobby, redesigned by Frank Lloyd Wright in 1905, is a striking space. It features a light court framed with intricate ironwork, and its glass ceiling floods the area with natural light, enhancing the elegant atmosphere. Its intricate details, including Persian-inspired motifs and decorative terra cotta, contrast with the otherwise rigid, geometric design of its facade. The Rookery stands as an example of Chicago School’s ability to blend function with aesthetic beauty.
New York Times Building (New York, USA)
Year Built: 1889
Architect: George B. Post
Height: 65 meters
Located in Manhattan, the original New York Times Building was a 13-story skyscraper. Influenced by the Romanesque Revival style, its facade boasted heavy stone masonry and rounded arches. This building was the embodiment of the industrial expansion that took place in New York, particularly with its towering presence in a city rapidly growing in population. It was later expanded to 16 stories and further cemented its role as an architectural symbol of the newspaper industry’s power. The building’s robust structure and decorative Romanesque elements demonstrates an interesting merge between practical steel-frame construction and rich historical aesthetics.
Wainwright Building (St. Louis, USA)
Year Built: 1891
Architect: Louis Sullivan
Height: 45 meters
The Wainwright Building is one of the earliest and oldest skyscrapers designed by Louis Sullivan, who is often nicknamed as the father of skyscrapers. This particular structure showcases his famous principle of form follows function where the structure’s design clearly reflects its purpose. The 10-story building is divided into three parts: a robust base for shops, a grid-like middle for offices, and a richly decorated top that housed the utilities necessary for the building’s operations such as mechanical rooms, storage, and ventilation. The meticulous arrangement of large windows, terracotta ornaments, and vertical piers give the building an illusion of a height taller than its own. The methodologies applied in this building made it a masterpiece of early skyscraper architecture.
Park Row Building (New York, USA)
Year Built: 1899
Architect: R.H. Robertson
Height: 119 meters
Standing at 29 stories, approximately 119 meters, the Park Row Building remained both the world’s tallest building and office from 1899 to 1908. Its facade boasts Beaux-Arts style with rich decorations complete with intricate pilasters, arches, and cornices that emphasize the building’s verticality. Its impressive height is due to the steel-frame construction and harmonious design which combines grandeur with cutting-edge technology. The building stood as a testament to New York’s rapid growth at the turn of the century, symbolizing the city’s ambitions and architectural advancements.
Flatiron Building (New York, USA)
Year Built: 1902
Architect: Daniel Burnham
Height: 87 meters
One of New York’s most iconic and oldest skyscrapers, the Flatiron Building is instantly recognizable due to its unique triangular shape. Designed in the Beaux-Arts style, the building features intricate terracotta detailing, decorative columns, and a facade that emphasizes its narrow, soaring form. The building’s steel frame allowed it to reach 22 stories despite its small footprint, and its design maximized natural light and airflow. It became a symbol of New York’s architectural innovation and remains one of the most photographed landmarks in the city.
