History
The building, completed in 1907, was built for J & W Seligman, an investment bank. In 1928, the building was acquired by Lehman Brothers, another investment bank, which remained headquartered there until 1980. The building is presently owned by Intesa Sanpaolo, Italy's largest bank. In 1996, the building was designated as a landmark by the New York City Landmarks Preservation Commission.
This building is noted in Stephen Birmingham's book, "Our Crowd: The Great Jewish Families of New York" (Harper & Row, Publishers, New York, Evanston and London, 1967, pg. 43). "James found a corner location in downtown Manhattan and rented it. 'J. Seligman & Brothers, Merchants' opened for business at No. 5 William Street in 1846."
The footnote goes on to say: "On this corner, later renumbered One William Street, would eventually rise the ornate eleven-story headquarters of J. & W. Seligman & Company. This wedge-shaped building, topped by a Romanesque tower, is now a landmark of the financial district . . ."
Read more about this topic: 1 William Street
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