The Woolworth Building's tenant list (above) and section (right).

RENT The rise of the skyscraper in the late 19th century is often seen as the symbol of corporate capitalism, the product of the need to house growing armies of white-collar workers and an expression of the desire of large companies to establish identity on the skyline. But while advertising is one reason for big business to build tall, more important is the investment in prime urban real estate. From the first highrise buildings of the 1870s, corporate owners have rented out large portions of their headquarters. Skyscrapers are rarely the hive of a great company; rather, they are neutral containers that offer highly flexible space to the myriad enterprises that need to locate in the city. continue