The French Building

The French Building – New York, New York Less than a 10-minute walk from Grand Central Terminal, I came across this ornately decorated entrance. At the time, I knew nothing about the building, but the craftsmanship immediately caught my attention. It certainly deserved a photograph. Later, I looked up its history and discovered that the French Building has nothing to do with France. Instead, it was named after Fred F. French, a successful real estate developer during the early 20th century. Completed in 1927, the building served as the headquarters of the Fred F. French Companies and is considered one of Midtown Manhattan’s hidden architectural gems. Rather than embracing the sleek, machine-age aesthetic that defines many Art Deco buildings, it incorporates decorative influences from the Near East, Mesopotamia, Egypt, and Greece. Blog readers, you’ll love my free monthly photography magazine. Signup for the free magazine to get articles and topics not discussed on the blog.