Architecture of the United States New York City's Woolworth Building designed by architect Cass Gilbert, 1913. Raising previous technological advances to new heights, 793 ft (233 m), it was the world's tallest building until 1930. Frank Woolworth was fond of gothic cathedrals. Cass Gilbert constructed the office building as a cathedral of commerce and incorporated many Gothic revival decorative elements. The main entrance and lobby contain numerous allegories of thrift, including an acorn growing into an oak tree and a man losing his shirt. The popularity of the new Woolworth Building inspired many Gothic revival imitations among skyscrapers and remained a popular design theme until
Lewis Cass Building of Lansing was engaged to design the building, and plans were approved in 1918. Construction began in 1919, but was not completed until 1921. The building served as the state office building until the completion of the first part of a new state government complex in 1953. In 1951, a major fire caused severe damage to the building. In the reconstruction, the seventh floor was removed, leaving the remaining six. The building is now a six-story U-shaped Classical Revival structure, a seventh story having been removed after a major fire in 1951. The building remains in use by the state.