View of the Park Row and St. Paul Buildings from Vesey Street, 1900.

When completed in 1899 the Park Row Building was the tallest office building in the world, holding the title for almost a decade until the completion of the Singer Building in 1908. The 391-foot skyscraper, designed by architect R.H. Robertson, featured twin three-story domed cupolas adorned by classical female figures representing commerce.

The St. Paul Building (right) opened a year before the Park Row Building, rising to a height of 315 feet. Designed by Stock Exchange architect George B. Post, the ornamented tower was demolished in 1958 to make way for the modern 222 Broadway.