21 West Street ARCHITECT: Starrett & Van Vleck DATE: 1929-31 STYLE: Art Deco

The 21 West Street Building, constructed in 1929-30, is a particularly fine example of the numerous Art Deco skyscrapers built during this period in New York City. The architects were trying to create a new stylistic expression which they felt would best represent the Jazz Age. The use of brick cladding on this building in different colors and textures was influenced by North German Expressionist architects, while the numerous and varied setbacks near the top of the building were the architects’ response to New York’s 1916 Zoning Resolution.