H. Craig Severance was the lead architect, with Yasuo Matsui as associate and Shreve & Lamb as consulting architects. Construction began in May 1929, the tower topped out on November 13, 1929, and it was completed on May 1, 1930, a week ahead of schedule. It opened on May 26, 1930, at a cost of 24 million dollars.
The tower is 927 feet (283 m) tall, with 70 stories. It briefly claimed to be the tallest building in the world, until the Chrysler Building, at 1,046 feet (319 m), opened on May 27, 1930. The article says it is uncertain whether 40 Wall Street was ever taller, given late design changes.
The infobox lists neo-Gothic, and the Landmarks Preservation Commission described the facade as modernized French Gothic, while the massing largely follows Art Deco. A pyramidal roof, originally lead-coated copper, has weathered to blue-green. The observation deck on the 69th and 70th floors closed after World War II.
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