What was the name of the Pan AM building before it was renovated, and became the Pan Am building, and who owned it at that time?

• ID# 34.2 (reply to #34.1) - 13 May 1998
  Are you certain you mean the Pan Am (nowadays Met Life Building) next to Grand Central Terminal? That building was namely even from the start built for the Pan American Airways and changed name only after the transaction to Met Life Insurance. ED.

• ID# 34.3 (reply to #34.1)
  From: Leonard Machler ([email protected]) - 6 Jun 1998

  If it helps, the Pan Am building (now Met Life) was constructed in 1963 by Walter Gropius. It is 808 feet tall and was the largest office building in New York until the construction of the twin World Trade Centre towers. The building's octagonal shape was supposed to resemble an aircraft wing, so therefore it was built for Pan Am originally.

  • ID# 34.4 (reply to #34.3)
    From: David - 23 Sept 1998

    . . .and I reckon its got to be N.Y.'s biggest architectural mistake, in terms of location at least. Anyone agree?

    • ID# 34.5 (reply to #34.4)
      From: John J. Ragusa ([email protected]) - 2 Mar 1999

      You are right! It is an ugly building and I can say that because I work in it! It is an eyesore and blocks the vista from Park Avenue. Besides Gropius, there was a consortium of architects: Emery Roth & Sons and Pietro Belluschi. When on the drawing boards, Gropius wanted to demolish the New York Central Building (now the Helmsley Bldg)because he hated neo- classicsm!! Someone should demolish the Pan Am Building!