77 Water Rooftop War Plane

77 Water Street

IS THAT A PLANE ON TOP OF A DOWNTOWN SKYSCRAPER?

Your eyes are not mistaken, the Financial District's 77 Water Street has a World War I fighter plane on its roof. The British Sopwith Camel fighter plane, which sits on an Astroturf runway adorned with landing lights and a windsock is a replica that was hoisted up to the roof by crane in 1969, following the building's opening — a publicity stunt to add some excitement to a rather banal international-style high-rise. The building's lobby and surrounding public plaza also feature an array of public art displays along with a functioning turn-of-the-century replica candy shop.