Flatiron Building - The Shape of a New York Icon

Architecture Topics

At the turn of the 20th century, New York was still a low-rise city. The Empire State and Chrysler Buildings were decades away, and the idea of a skyscraper north of Madison Square seemed absurd.

Then came the Flatiron, a 22-story steel-frame experiment that turned an awkward triangular lot into one of the most recognizable silhouettes in the world.

In this episode, we explore how the Flatiron Building was born: the ambitions of the Fuller Company, Daniel Burnham’s bold design, the skepticism it faced, and how it became a symbol of modern New York.

From its first tenants to its cultural impact and ongoing transformation, this is the story of how an odd-shaped corner became the face of a city.