The Flatiron Building To Shine After 123 Years—A Historic Lighting Transformation

Currently covered in scaffolding and years of grime, the triangular Beaux-Arts landmark at the crossroads of Fifth Avenue, Broadway, and 23rd Street–otherwise known as the iconic Flatiron Building–is about to get a glow up, literally, thanks to a newly approved exterior lighting plan by design studio L’Observatoire International. The building, often photographed but rarely restored, will soon sparkle every night, joining the ranks of illuminated NYC legends. Developer Daniel Brodsky stated: > We’re honored the Landmarks Preservation Commission has approved the building’s first-ever exterior lighting plan. This icon will shine nightly for the first time in its 123-year history. The Landmarks Preservation Commission officially signed off on the project, which includes lighting the upper five floors of the 22-story structure as well as the intricately detailed lower facade. Built in 1902 and designed by famed architect Daniel Burnham, the 307-foot Flatiron Building was among NYC’s very first skyscrapers. The building was originally intended to serve as the offices for Chicago contracting firm, George A. Fuller Company, hence why it was originally known as the Fuller building. And, out of its many interesting historical facts such as the use of water-powered elevators, one bit of information that most don’t know about is that the Flatiron building originally didn’t have female bathrooms. As one of the most loved buildings in the U.S., the Flatiron Building has long captivated photographers. But in recent years, the structure’s beauty has been shrouded in a blanket of scaffolding amid a carousel of ownership changes. That changed when developers Jeffrey Gural, the Brodsky Organization, and Italy’s Sorgente Group stepped in with a [$161.5 million rescue deal](https://secretnyc.co/flatiron-building-auction-nyc/) after a failed auction in 2023 left the building’s future in limbo. Now, the Flatiron is set to be reimagined as [60 luxury condos](https://secretnyc.co/flatiron-building-reimagined-as-condos/), with Studio Sofield designing the interiors and Corcoran Sunshine leading the sales. While no demolition, addition, or expansion will be completed, the restoration includes minor exterior work, such as replacing windows and a painstaking cleaning of the building’s limestone, brick, and terra cotta exterior. More than a real estate revival, though, it’s a glow-up of the century for one of NYC’s most recognizable silhouettes as, once the building reopens as a luxury condominium residence, it will shine bright through the night from the tippy top to the very bottom! Source: https://secretnyc.co/flatiron-building-will-light-up-for-first-time-ever/