Who designed the skyscraper?

Architect H. Craig Severance planned the structure with Yasuo Matsui and Shreve and Lamb.

What style of architecture does the tower feature?

The edifice reflects neo-Gothic skyscraper design.

Why was the Manhattan Company created?

Aaron Burr chartered the Manhattan Company under the stated intention of delivering clean water to Lower Manhattan, though its real objective was banking to challenge the Bank of New York.

What was the Race into the Sky?

The phrase referred to the competition between the developers of the Manhattan Company Building and the Chrysler Building to construct the world tallest tower.

What historic protections cover the property?

The skyscraper is a New York City designated landmark, belongs to the Wall Street Historic District, and holds a listing on the National Register of Historic Places.

New York · United States

40 Wall Street: what's nearby, how to get there and when to go · 2026

Residents working in this Financial District pocket trade daylight among steep skyscraper canyons for walking access to Lower Manhattan offices.

40 Wall Street · CC BY-SA 4.0

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Now in the city40 Wall Street+11°CClearupdated 07:50 AM Around here16

Exchange rate$1.00per 1 $USD — the local currencyas of Nov 2, 2026

About the place

The skyscraper stands in the Financial District as a monument to early skyscraper rivalry.

The neo-Gothic skyscraper rises between Nassau and William streets in the Financial District of Manhattan. Designed by H. Craig Severance with Yasuo Matsui alongside Shreve and Lamb, the tower served as the corporate base for the Manhattan Company. Municipal authorities designated the structure an official city landmark, and federal records include it on the National Register of Historic Places.

Read on

Aaron Burr established the Manhattan Company ostensibly as a water utility to challenge the banking monopoly held by Alexander Hamilton, though the enterprise soon focused entirely on finance. Developer George Ohrstrom and the Starrett Corporation later assembled the surrounding plots during a nationwide skyscraper boom, entering a public contest known as the Race into the Sky to top the Chrysler Building.

Associations

Manhattan CompanyAaron Burr founded the original banking enterprise to rival Alexander Hamilton.
Race into the SkyThe builders competed directly against the Chrysler Building for global height honors.
Financial District DensityDense surrounding parcels limit natural daylight reaching the lower office floors.
Wall Street Historic DistrictThe skyscraper serves as a registered contributing property to the federal district.

Facts

The skyscraper was designed by architect H. Craig Severance alongside Yasuo Matsui and Shreve and Lamb.
Aaron Burr established the Manhattan Company with an initial stated purpose of supplying clean water to Lower Manhattan.
The property holds status as a designated New York City landmark and belongs to the National Register of Historic Places.
Developer George Ohrstrom partnered with the Starrett Corporation to finance and construct the skyscraper.

Updated September 9, 2026Source: Wikipedia

40 Wall Street: what's nearby, how to get there and when to go · 2026

What is around16

The skyscraper stands in the Financial District as a monument to early skyscraper rivalry.

Getting there and staying

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