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South of Union Square
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811 7 Avenue
811 Seventh Avenue
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1970

811 Seventh Avenue
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IMAGE DATE1970
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Americana Hotel, ca. 1970.

Constructed on the plot that was once occupied by a massive Moorish castle-esque warehouse, the Americana of New York was one of the tallest hotels in the world when completed in 1962. It was also the first hotel with over 1000 rooms to be built since the Waldorf-Astoria in 1931. Designed by Morris Lapidus, better known for his "Miami Modern" style, the Americana was rendered in a bent slab style with some modern flourishes at the ground level entrance.

The hotel hosted famous performers at its supper club, The Royal Box. It also was the location for a number of political events, serving as Democratic headquarters for the 1976 Democratic National Convention and 1980 Democratic National Convention. In early November 1972, Brooklyn Congressman Shirley Chisholm stood up in front of 1300 supporters to announce her intention to run for the Presidency.

The hotel still stands today as the Sheraton New York Times Square Hotel and remains one of the tallest hotels in the world.

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