The structure of 7 Pine Street was a cage frame: columns of cast-iron and beams and girders of wrought iron or steel. In this type of construction the exterior masonry walls provided the structure with the bracing required to resist lateral loads, such as wind. While similar in concept to the structure of the Hanover National Bank Building, the absence of integral bracing meant that this building had to be dismantled in the same manner as the Astor Building. Here, however, the reach of the stiff legged derricks on the Hanover National Bank Building may have been sufficient to allow the contractor to lower members of the cage frame to the ground. The outline of the original masonry party wall between 7 Pine and the American Surety Building (at right) can be seen in shallow relief. Lot line windows at 7 Pine were filled in when the American Surety was constructed. These windows suggest that 7 Pine was taller than its neighbors to the west when it was constructed.