Over the Singer Building's existence, its lighting system was changed at least five times, The copper ornamentation on the tower's dome was restored in 1939. The flagpole and roof cresting were removed entirely in early 1947. The building experienced an electrical fire in 1949 that forced the evacuation of the entire building, although only one person was injured. The revolving doors at the base had been removed by 1958, being replaced with standard doors. A year later, new elevators and elevator doors were installed to comply with building codes. Toward the end of its existence, the Singer Building's two large ground-level storefronts were subdivided into smaller ones. Taller buildings continued to be constructed in New York City, and by its 50th anniversary in 1958, the Singer Building was only the 16th tallest in the city.