The St. James Building – Broadway at 26th Street, New York, New York

In 1897, when the St. James Building was built on the site of one of the 19th Century’s most elegant hotels, it stood in the heart of New York’s wealthiest neighborhood just across from Delmonico’s. (Confederate saboteurs had tried to burn the hotel down on November 25, 1864.)

The St. James Building was designed by renowned architect Bruce Price, who designed many of the Canadian Pacific Railway‘s Château-type stations and hotels, including the Chateau Frontenac in Quebec City. The St. James Building is a striking combination of stone, brick, terra cotta, iron and copper in the Beaux Arts style with extensive detailing inside and out. One of its original treasures – a lobby mural painted by the famous French decorating firm of Arthur Brounet – is maintained in its original glory, one of the few remaining of the dozens of originals that adorned Manhattan theatres, hotels and residences.

The St. James Building provided offices for architects, including its designer, Bruce Price, and the Flatiron's Daniel Burnham. Oscar F. Spate had his office here when in 1901 he made an ill-fated attempt to turn seating in Madison and Central parks into a for-profit enterprise. Future Israeli prime minister Golda Meir worked here for the Pioneer Women's Organization for Palestine (1932-34). From 1965 to 1968, this was the base of the Mattachine Society, the leading pre-Stonewall gay rights group.

The St. James Building was extensively restored and technologically upgraded in the 1980s and 90s and was highly celebrated on its 100th birthday in 1996. The area around the St. James Building, now called NoMad, has been experiencing a huge surge in popularity and the St. James is once again surrounded by the some of the finest hotels, residences, restaurants in the city.