The Flatiron Building

1902

Architect: Daniel Burnham
Address: 175 Fifth Avenue, Manhattan
Called "Burnham's Folly" by people who thought it would be knocked over by wind, and called a "monstrosity" by the New York Times, the Flatiron Building has withstood the test of time, the test of now-long-dead architectural critics, and the test of people who don't trust engineering but still use it a million ways in their everyday lives. Here's what it looks like to have an office at the corner; both Edward Steichen and Alfred Stieglitz took iconic photos while the critics complained. The top floor was actually added 3 years after completion; the building's many quirks are now, of course, beloved by tenants. The wind is no joke, however, and I'll probably go back with a much, much heavier tripod at some point...though I'm pretty happy with this shot for the moment.