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| Author: |
Alice Sparbeg Alexiou
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| Publisher: |
Thomas Dunne Books, 2010
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| Hardcover: |
320 pages
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| Language: |
English
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| ISBN: |
978-0-31238-468-5
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| Reviewer: |
Jan Klerks, CTBUH Communications Manager/Journal Editor
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My favorite books are the ones that tell the main story, but read away like a novel. These become particularly interesting when the main character of the book is a skyscraper, such as Karl Sabbagh’s and Jerry Adler’s stories of the development and construction of the New York City’s World Wide Plaza and the Bertelsmann Building respectively.
These skyscraper biographies are now joined by Alice Sparberg Alexiou’s story of the Flatiron building in New York City. Alexiou is a native New Yorker and the granddaughter of a man who for a time owned the classic triangular skyscraper and as such has developed a keen interest in the landmark. This tale is as much about architectural innovation and New York City at the turn of the century as it is about the larger-than-life personalities who designed, financed and built the 22-story landmark.
Written in an enjoyable style, the story captures the growth and spirit of the city, its slumps, its businesses and the structure of the buildings themselves. By introducing the many people involved, by describing the construction and the materials and by including the human side of the story, the building itself is being brought to life and is given a place in the history of tall buildings.