ARCHITECTURE
When is the re-auction of Flatiron, New York’s skyscraper from Spiderman and Friends?
After an unsuccessful first auction, those interested will first have to demonstrate that they have the money to back their offer.
The Flatiron, one of New York’s most recognizable skyscrapers, is set to go up for auction for the second time in two months. The unique situation arises after the previous buyer failed to produce the required funds despite committing to a $190 million purchase price for the iconic structure, which was designed by architects Daniel Burnham and Frederick Dinkelberg over a century ago.
Where is Flatiron located?
The 22-story, 121-year-old building occupies a triangular block on the corner of Fifth Avenue, Broadway, and 22nd Street, with 23rd Street running along the northern vertex. The building, which was designated a New York landmark in 1966, added to the Register of Historic Places in 1979, and declared a National Historic Landmark in 1989, is set to go back up for auction on May 23.
Designed to give the area a new image and showcase a new commercial orientation, the Flatiron’s backbone is comprised of 3,500 tons of steel. Since its last tenant left in 2019, the building has remained vacant and has become a symbol of The Big Apple’s changing skyline.
In the previous auction on March 23, the winning bidder, Jacob Garlick, founding partner of Abraham Trust, failed to deposit the required 10% payment guarantee in cash, resulting in the nullification of the sale. For this new auction, interested buyers must demonstrate upfront that they have the required funds to back up their offers, as reported by NBC Channel 4.
Flatiron’s leading role in movies and TV series
Potential bidders must also provide a $10,000 check, which has caused a stir on social media platforms. Whether the new owner of the Flatiron will retain its current use as an office building, or convert it into a luxury hotel, transform it into an apartment building, or something else, remains to be seen.
The Flatiron has featured in numerous movies and TV series. When not accidentally destroyed by the US military (‘Godzilla’), it has been used as an ideal backdrop for scene changes (‘Friends’). The building’s most prominent role, however, was as the Daily Bugle newspaper headquarters in Spider-Man.