Contemporary sources at the time of the building's construction described the "Singer Tower" as referring only to the building's tower portion, rather than its base. The "Singer Building" name originally referred only to a portion of the base, although by the mid-20th century it referred to the entire structure. When the tower addition was completed in 1908, its roof was high, and was topped by a flagpole, giving it a ground-to-pinnacle height of . The Singer Building was the world's tallest building at the time of its completion and the world's tallest building to be destroyed upon its demolition.