Planes, Trains and Owls: Art Deco Awesomeness at 20 Exchange Place

What a gorgeous doorway! But how do you get in?

On my list of unfulfilled creative expressions is to make a quilt inspired by the doors of 20 Exchange. Thanks for the re-inspiration, now I just need the time!

Was this originally or at some point in time Morgan Guaranty and Trust?

I worked on the 22nd floor for about a year and a half in 2001-2003 and am obsessed with 20 Exchange. I saw Inside Man in the theater almost entirely because of the building and was delighted that they refer to it as “20 Exchange” in the movie. Also Clive Owen is cute but the building is my true obsession, especially its unique presence in the Lower Manhattan skyline. Thanks for featuring it!

A couple of notes for a follow-up post (that I hope you’ll consider :D)- although your last picture looks up at the “Titans of Finance” – the heads on the 20th story setback, you don’t mention them and I think they’re one of the building’s architectural highlights. Heading down Exchange Place from Broadway is a great place to view them, although I was recently on the 16th floor of 48 Wall Street and the view south over the former hotel (between William and Hanover) to the northern facade of 20 Exchange is simply stunning/gives a great view of these particular features.

Also, I’ve seen old pictures showing an ornate skyway connector around the 3rd story between 20 Exchange and the old hotel, which I believe was also a maybe originally a banking floor.

Lastly, the building’s construction is covered in “Higher: a historic race to the sky and the making of a city” by Neal Bascomb, a great book about the skyscraper race between the Empire State and Chryster Buildings, and less famously, 40 Wall Street and 20 Exchange Place. Thanks again for covering the building – I’d love to see it featured in more films!

Were you able to go further into the building? Beyond the lobby of NY’s history I mean? ANd which doorway leads to that lobby btw?

I would be sincerely intrigued to see a more of an interior that reflects the aesthetic of the art deco exterior here. The lobby is great, but I’d love to know which other parts are of that time as well.

Hi Scout, I really enjoyed this post, as I also love the art deco style. I am wondering about the rounded doors though, how do they open (if they are used at all now.) It’s interesting that no hinges are visible. Could they possibly hide a revolving door?? Anyway, great post of a spectacular building.

The creepy owl is Glaucus, the owl of the goddess Athena whose namesake city the coin is from

Another great post Nick.I’m currently researching a set of Bank doors here in Sydney. The building was opened in 1932 at 341 George st in the city. It was the head office for the Bank of NSW but is now a branch of Westpac.

The doors were huge and depicted scenes from Australia’s history. They “opened” by dropping into the floor each morning and rising up at the close of business. In the mid 1950’s the hydraulic rams that operated the doors failed and the doors crashed into the sub basement and have been there ever since.

Have had lots of trouble trying to find an image of the doors as all the photo’s of the building were taken when the bank was open so the doors are “in the floor”. The current owner of the building is also very unhelpful and is refusing any access to that part of the building due to OH&S issues. I have heard about 4 accounts from people who have seen them over the last twenty years!!!!

You blog inspires me to keep asking questions, search that data base AGAIN and make that phone call.

THANKS!! Spen

nice amsterdam cross above the door