The superstructure is made of a steel frame covered with concrete and gypsum. At the time, American building codes required that all structural steel be covered in a fireproof material, usually concrete, because improperly protected steel columns or beams may soften and fail in confined fires. The concrete core shear walls extend up to the 17th floor and diagonal core bracing (shear trusses) extends to the 29th floor. The structural system is composed of steel columns whose centers are apart. The building's heating and air conditioning systems are divided into two sections: a basement unit serving the 20th story and all floors below, and a roof unit serving the 21st story and all floors above. Ducts for utilities such as electric, telephone, and CCTV cables were embedded into the concrete floor slabs. According to the New York City Department of City Planning, the building has of interior floor space.