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George B. Post 

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007 THE NEW YORK WORLD BUILDING 012  The St. Paul Building 016 Western Union Telegraph Building 036 NEW YORK STOCK EXCHANGE 020- Williamsburgh Savings Bank
During his prolific career, George B. Post (1837 - 1913) demonstrated innovative engineering skill, which facilitated his creation of large, open interior spaces as well as his pioneering work in the construction of skyscrapers. His Equitable Life Assurance Society building was the first office building to use elevators. In addition, his World Building and St. Paul building had the distinction of being the tallest buildings in New York at the time of their construction. One of his commercial masterpieces, the vast New York Produce Exchange, had an enormous sky-lighted hall. All of these buildings have been demolished. The New York Stock Exchange survives as an example of his creation of uncluttered interior spaces through inventive use of steel supports.

New York HospitalUnfortunately, many of Post's landmark New York buildings have vanished. The 8-story Equitable Life Assurance Society (1868-70), was the first office building to use elevators, and was a model for future skyscrapers. The Western Union Building (1872-75) in Lower Manhattan, an early skyscraper, was the first office building to rise as high as ten stories.

Produce ExchangeHis 20-story World Building (1889-90) was, for its time, the tallest building in the city. Post's Bronx Borough Hall (1895-97) stood in Crotona Park; today only the front steps survive. A model and several drawings represent Post's New York Hospital (1875-77) on 15th Street between Fifth and Sixth Avenues. Chickering Hall (1874-75) at Fifth Avenue and 18th Street served as both a concert hall and a piano store. Perhaps most impressive of all was the vast New York Produce Exchange (1881-84) at Two Broadway opposite Bowling Green. It housed a grand skylighted hall, typical of the challenging commercial project that became Post's hallmark.

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