Allan Stillman, the founder of "T.G.I. Fridays" unknowingly created what would become one of the most beloved and hated eating establishments of its era. Stillman, a perfume salesman, put down $5,000 (plus an additional $5,000 he borrowed from his mom) to turn a divey boy's bar into a hoppin' singles hangout, velvet ropes and all. Read on to learn the history of T.G.I. Fridays.

605 Fifth Avenue, 1925. Designed in 1924 by architect William Van Alen (of later Chrysler Building fame), this midblock building was forecast by the New York Times to be “one of the finest buildings along Fifth Avenue in this section.” The asymmetrical structure had six full stories of curved windows on one corner. The architect took advantage of the setback of the neighboring church to showcase this innovative feature. Completed in 1925 for the Child's restaurant chain, the resulting edifice of gleaming white limestone and expansive plate glass was called a veritable jewel-box” by a contemporary design magazine. It was said to have been the first building in the U.S. without corner columns. The unique vantage point by which passersby could look right through the curved corner of the building was lost in 1952 with the demolition of the church and the construction of 600 Fifth Avenue, a 26-story office building. Since 1997 the building has been home to TGI Friday's. For many years the facade was painted a bright blue with contrasting red and white awnings. In the last few years, the facade has gone back to white, but a four-story advertisement covers the upper floors (and curved windows).