H. Craig Severance
Encyclopedia
H. Craig Severance was an American
architect
who designed a number of well-known buildings in New York City
, including the Coca-Cola Building, Nelson Tower
and most prominently, 40 Wall Street
.
In his early career, Severance worked for Carrere and Hastings
and later, in partnership with William Van Alen
. The partnership ended on unfriendly terms, and in the late 1920s, the two found themselves in competition to build the world's tallest building, with Severance's 40 Wall Street and Van Alen's, Chrysler Building
. Although the Chrysler Building claimed victory with its spire at 1,046 feet, Severance protested that his building had the highest usable space. The issue became moot when the Empire State Building
was completed less than a year later.
United States
The United States of America is a federal constitutional republic comprising fifty states and a federal district...
architect
Architect
An architect is a person trained in the planning, design and oversight of the construction of buildings. To practice architecture means to offer or render services in connection with the design and construction of a building, or group of buildings and the space within the site surrounding the...
who designed a number of well-known buildings in New York City
New York City
New York is the most populous city in the United States and the center of the New York Metropolitan Area, one of the most populous metropolitan areas in the world. New York exerts a significant impact upon global commerce, finance, media, art, fashion, research, technology, education, and...
, including the Coca-Cola Building, Nelson Tower
Nelson Tower
thumb|Nelson Tower from the EastNelson Tower is a 46 story 171 meter tall building located at 450 7th Avenue on Manhattan Island, New York, United States. - History :...
and most prominently, 40 Wall Street
40 Wall Street
40 Wall Street is a 70-story skyscraper in New York City. Originally known as the Bank of Manhattan Trust building, and also known as Manhattan Company Building, it was later known by its street address when its founding tenant merged to form the Chase Manhattan Bank and today is known as the...
.
In his early career, Severance worked for Carrere and Hastings
Carrère and Hastings
Carrère and Hastings, the firm of John Merven Carrère and Thomas Hastings , located in New York City, was one of the outstanding Beaux-Arts architecture firms in the United States. The partnership operated from 1885 until 1911, when Carrère was killed in an automobile accident...
and later, in partnership with William Van Alen
William Van Alen
William Van Alen was an American architect, best known as the architect in charge of designing New York City's Chrysler Building .-Life:...
. The partnership ended on unfriendly terms, and in the late 1920s, the two found themselves in competition to build the world's tallest building, with Severance's 40 Wall Street and Van Alen's, Chrysler Building
Chrysler Building
The Chrysler Building is an Art Deco style skyscraper in New York City, located on the east side of Manhattan in the Turtle Bay area at the intersection of 42nd Street and Lexington Avenue. Standing at , it was the world's tallest building for 11 months before it was surpassed by the Empire State...
. Although the Chrysler Building claimed victory with its spire at 1,046 feet, Severance protested that his building had the highest usable space. The issue became moot when the Empire State Building
Empire State Building
The Empire State Building is a 102-story landmark skyscraper and American cultural icon in New York City at the intersection of Fifth Avenue and West 34th Street. It has a roof height of 1,250 feet , and with its antenna spire included, it stands a total of 1,454 ft high. Its name is derived...
was completed less than a year later.
Other well-known designs
- 50 Broadway, New York City
- 400 Madison Avenue, New York City
- Bank of the U.S., New York City
- Montague-Court BuildingMontague-Court BuildingThe Montague Court Building is located at 16 Court Street, Brooklyn, New York.It was designed by architect H. Craig Severance and built in 1928. It is currently the tallest office building and the second tallest building overall in Brooklyn at 462 feet...
, New York City - Taft Hotel, New York City