Alright, let's dissect this monument to gilded excess. You want the unvarnished truth, the grit beneath the veneer. Fine. Just don't expect me to wax poetic about marble and brass.
Trump Tower
View from Fifth Avenue, 2010
This… edifice. It stands at 721 Fifth Avenue in the heart of Midtown Manhattan, a 58-story testament to… well, to something. Completed in 1983, it’s a mixed-use beast, housing retail, offices, and residences. Its architectural style is vaguely described as Modernist, which, given the context, feels like an insult to actual modernism. Coordinates: 40°45′45″N 73°58′26″W / 40.7625°N 73.9738°W / 40.7625; -73.9738. It's named for Donald Trump, a fact that, frankly, says more about the building than it does about him. Or perhaps it’s the other way around. The cost? A tidy $300 million, a sum that, in retrospect, was probably just the down payment on a much larger, more complicated story. Currently owned by GMAC Commercial Mortgage, it’s a shell, a shell housing the headquarters for the Trump Organization and, of course, Trump’s own penthouse residence. Several members of the Trump family have also graced its floors. It occupies a site once held by the flagship store of Bonwit Teller, a department store chain that, like many things of its era, eventually succumbed to the relentless march of… well, Trump.
Architecture
Der Scutt of Swanke Hayden Connell Architects is credited with the design, a decision that, looking at the result, feels like a compromise made under duress. It’s 664 feet (202 m) tall, a height that attempts to assert dominance but mostly just looks… tall. The top story is labeled "68" – a charmingly arbitrary embellishment, as if counting floors was beneath the man. Apparently, the five-story public atrium somehow counts as ten floors, a bit of arithmetic that, while mathematically dubious, perfectly encapsulates the building’s ethos. Several Bloomberg L.P. writers have pointed out the rather creative floor numbering, suggesting a lack of floors 6 through 13. A rather generous interpretation of reality, wouldn't you say? The building may only have 48 usable stories, but who's counting when you've got mirrors and brass?
Form and Facade
The building’s 28-sided design, a deliberate departure from the usual boxy skyscrapers, was meant to maximize window exposure. This results in a rather… fractured appearance. Horizontal setbacks, rather than the more common vertical ones, create a series of terraces. These were part of the deal for zoning bonuses, a classic urban negotiation where public space is traded for added height. There’s a terrace on the fifth floor, overlooking the 57th Street side, and a smaller one on the fourth floor facing 56th Street. One has trees and a fountain; the other, a few granite benches. A study in contrasts, I suppose. Above the entrance, brass letters proclaim "Trump Tower," a rather unsubtle statement. At the very top, a concrete hat-truss, similar to one found on the Trump World Tower, ties the exterior columns to the concrete core, a structural necessity to resist lateral forces. Frankly, it just looks like a hat.
Structural Features
It’s a reinforced concrete shear wall core structure, which, at its completion, was the tallest of its kind. They used 45,000 cubic yards (34,000 m³) of concrete and 3,800 tons of steel. The choice of a concrete superstructure, rather than steel, was apparently for rigidity and ease of construction. Scutt himself noted its rigidity. It’s a concrete tube structure, a design principle pioneered by Fazlur Rahman Khan.
However, the building’s efficiency is… questionable. It’s been called one of the city’s least energy-efficient buildings per square foot. In 2017, its Energy Star score was a dismal 44 out of 100. And in 2019, it was reported that Trump's buildings, including this one, failed to meet the city's 2030 carbon emission standards. The city threatened fines. Apparently, even buildings can have an environmental conscience, or a lack thereof.
Interior
Lower Stories
The building’s base, with its stepped massing, supports these… lighted trees. A touch of nature, perhaps, or just more surfaces to reflect the endless gold.
Trump’s original vision was for an office building, but the zoning in the Fifth Avenue district allowed for more height with mixed-use development and public space. These privately owned public spaces (POPS), as they’re called, were the price of admission for those zoning bonuses. The atrium, concourse, restrooms, and terraces all fall under this category. The law dictates these spaces must be street-accessible, offer seating, and not require purchases. A noble sentiment, rarely honored in practice.
The Trump Organization constructed a five-story, 15,000-square-foot (1,400 m²) atrium, the building’s main lobby. It connects to the Fifth Avenue lobby and, rather inconveniently, to the atrium of 590 Madison Avenue. Under the POPS agreement, it’s supposed to be open to the public from 8 a.m. to 10 p.m. daily. The Fifth Avenue Association even gave it an award. But then, the Trump Organization decided public space could also be retail space. They installed counters selling merchandise, fined in 2008, but they remained. Another counter appeared by 2015. Fines followed, along with orders to remove them and reinstate the bench. A constant battle between public access and private profit, played out in marble and brass.
The public spaces are clad in 240 tons of Breccia Pernice, a pink marble. The atrium boasts a 60-foot-tall (18 m) indoor waterfall on its east wall, with walkways, shops, and cafes spanning it. Mirrored panels clad the escalators and columns. Six balconies overlook the space. Four gold-painted elevators whisk visitors upwards, one dedicated to the penthouse residence. The original plan for 40-foot trees in the atrium was apparently nixed by Trump himself, who, impatient with contractors, reportedly cut them down. A rather dramatic gesture, even for him. Retail outlets include Gucci’s flagship store at ground level.
The terrace accessible from the fifth floor is on the roof of 6 East 57th Street, with connections to both buildings. Signage for these upper-floor POPS is, predictably, poor.
Restaurants
There are several dining options within the tower. 45 Wine and Whiskey (formerly Trump Bar) is in the lobby. Down in the basement, you’ll find Trump's Ice Cream Parlor, Trump Cafe, and Trump Grill.
Trump Grill has been widely panned. Vanity Fair called it a contender for "worst restaurant in America," with "steakhouse classics doused with unnecessarily high-end ingredients." Eater described the food as "totally unadventuresome and predictable, though competently prepared, like food you might find in a country club." Even New York magazine quipped that "despite what the sign reads, countless restaurants trump this spot." Health inspections in 2018 found "evidence of mice or live mice" near the kitchen, with violations described as "critical." Charming.
The Trump Bar, now 45 Wine and Whiskey, was remodeled and reopened in November 2021. It features 39 photos of Trump, and the drinks are described as overpriced. Because of course they are.
Eater also reviewed the other establishments, finding them rather ordinary. The ice cream was "almost too soft to be scooped," the cafe served a "rubbery and overcooked" hamburger, and the steak fries were "inedible." The bar’s menu was small and overpriced, with snacks that "do little to affirm the luxury that the place aspires to." Vice magazine found the bar similarly overpriced, with a $20 drink consisting of watered-down vodka and a few olives. New York magazine found the cafe's food "safe classics," a stark contrast to the grandeur of the space.
Upper Stories
The building has thirteen office floors, followed by thirty-nine residential floors containing 263 condominiums. Trump famously placed the lowest residential floor on the 30th, claiming he didn't want to call it the "second floor." A marketing ploy, perhaps, or a subtle jab at the General Motors Building next door. Many apartments are furnished, though some commercial spaces remain bare. The interiors are a symphony of mirrors and brass, with kitchens featuring "standard suburban" cabinets.
NBC's The Apprentice was filmed here, on the fifth floor, in a fully functional studio. The famous boardroom, where contestants were fired, was a regular fixture. Trump's 2016 presidential campaign headquarters was also located within this space. After the election, the campaign moved out, but the tower remained a symbol.
History
Planning
Site Acquisition and Rezoning
Trump’s fascination with the site at 56th Street and Fifth Avenue began in childhood, but concrete plans emerged in the mid-1970s. The lot was occupied by the architecturally significant 1929 Bonwit Teller flagship store. It was adjacent to Tiffany & Co.'s flagship, a location Trump deemed prime real estate. He persistently contacted Bonwit Teller's parent company, Genesco, about purchasing the building. Initially, they dismissed his offers, but in 1979, Genesco, under new chairman John Hanigan, sold many Bonwit Teller locations to Allied Stores. The flagship building itself went to the Trump Organization for $10 million.
The land was owned by the Equitable Life Assurance Society of the United States, which had a long-term lease with Genesco. Trump’s initial attempts to buy the land were rebuffed, so he purchased the lease instead. Equitable then exchanged the land for a 50% stake in the construction project, a more lucrative arrangement than the meager annual rent from Genesco. Trump also acquired the air rights over Tiffany’s to prevent a taller building from overshadowing it.
Trump then faced the task of gaining approval from the New York City Department of City Planning, Manhattan Community Board 5, and the New York City Board of Estimate for his rezoning proposal. The New York Committee for a Balanced Building Boom opposed the rezoning, fearing the impact on Fifth Avenue's character. Trump credited a positive review from The New York Times ' architectural critic, Ada Louise Huxtable, with swaying some of the skeptical committee members. Nevertheless, the deal drew criticism from the media, with New York magazine suggesting it "legitimized a pushy kid nobody took seriously." The Wall Street Journal noted Trump's blend of "huckster's flair" and shrewd business sense, while The Village Voice accused him of turning "political connections into private profits at public expense."
Design Process
Bonwit Teller's flagship store closed in May 1979, and the building was demolished by 1980. Allied had already leased space for a new Bonwit Teller store in the tower's base. Meanwhile, Trump hired Der Scutt as architect in July 1978. Scutt had previously collaborated with Trump on projects like Grand Hyatt New York. Trump, however, found Scutt’s initial design, reminiscent of Boston's John Hancock Tower, too modest. He desired a building that was both opulent and imposing. "The marble in Trump Tower," he declared, "would cost more than the entire rent from one of my buildings in Brooklyn."
Two key decisions shaped Trump Tower: the use of a concrete superstructure and its designation as a mixed-use building within the Fifth Avenue special zoning district. The initial plan for 60 stories was amended, ultimately settling on 58. The base was envisioned in limestone, with elevators in a separate glass structure. The final design placed the atrium on the lower six floors, followed by office floors, and then residential units.
To differentiate Trump Tower from the prevailing "boxy" International Style buildings, Scutt designed a 28-faced edifice with an "inverted pyramid of cubes" at the base. This design garnered mixed reactions; while praised for creativity, some critics suggested masonry cladding to blend with neighbors or a reduction in height for aesthetic harmony. The city, however, approved it.
Construction
HRH Construction was the contractor, a company that would go on to build many of Trump's subsequent developments. Barbara Res, previously involved in Trump's projects like the Citigroup Center and the Grand Hyatt, was appointed construction executive. She was the first woman to oversee a major New York City construction site, facing initial skepticism from subcontractors who assumed her male supervisor was in charge.
The site superintendent was Anthony "Tony Raf" Rafaniello, tasked with coordinating construction based on blueprints. He planned a three-phase schedule and held weekly subcontractor meetings to ensure alignment.
The mixed-use nature of Trump Tower presented regulatory challenges. Tenants requested custom features, such as a swimming pool or the removal of load-bearing walls. Trump's then-wife, Ivana Trump, contributed to selecting minor interior details. While Trump and Res agreed on many tenant requests, design disagreements arose. Trump famously hated the marble slabs at some corners, demanding their removal, only to settle on bronze panels. Res, however, refused to purchase them.
Trump Tower was among the pioneering skyscrapers to employ a concrete frame, alongside Chicago's One Magnificent Mile, engineered by Fazlur Rahman Khan. Concrete proved more expensive in New York, inflating construction costs. Floors above the 20th followed a similar design, allowing for rapid completion, while lower floors, each unique, took weeks to erect. Worker fatalities were notably low, with one death during excavation due to a sidewalk collapse. A fire on the 25th to 27th floors caused minor damage and a two-month delay. Tragically, a falling windowpane killed a pedestrian in May 1983.
The tower was topped out by July 1982, two and a half years after construction began. The initial 125 million for construction and $75 million for other expenses.
Operation
1980s
Trump plastered newspapers and magazines with advertisements for his new tower. Early tenants included Asprey and Ludwig Beck, who moved in before the building's official opening in early 1983. The atrium and retail spaces officially opened on February 14, 1983, with residences and offices following soon after. The 40 ground-level stores commenced operations on November 30, 1983. Mayor Koch, at the dedication, wryly noted, "This is not your low-income housing project... but we also need accommodations... for those who can afford to pay a lot of money and bring a lot of taxes into the city." By August 1983, the construction loan was repaid with 1 million. Residents began moving in that month.
Despite the Bonwit Teller building's demolition, the store itself operated within the tower's lower levels, leasing 80,000 square feet (7,400 m²). By August 1983, the controversy over the building's facade had faded, with one reporter noting that "the only negative comments about Donald Trump these days are given off the record." Forty high-end retailers, including Buccellati, Charles Jourdan, Mondi, and Fila, opened shops. Trump claimed in 1985 that over a hundred stores wanted space. He began referring to the tower as a "New York landmark." By 1986, however, 15% to 20% of the original stores had closed or relocated. Retail rents reached unprecedented heights, with atrium space commanding $450 per square foot annually. Vanity Fair noted that as tenants were evicted due to high rents, many sued the Trump Organization for overbilling and illegal lease terminations.
The residential units proved far more successful. 95% of the condominiums sold within four months of opening, despite the steep prices, which ranged from 12 million. The penthouse alone sold for 300 million from condominium sales, exceeding construction costs. By 1991, legal disputes extended to residents, with Trump successfully suing actress Pia Zadora and her husband for $1 million in unpaid rent.
The city government challenged the validity of Trump Tower's tax breaks. Their attempt to deny the exemption, based on the building not replacing an "underused" site as required by the 421-a tax exemption program, was rejected by the New York Court of Appeals in 1984. A subsequent claim that the commercial space didn't qualify was also dismissed in 1988. The city then tried to reduce the exemption amount through a different calculation method, but the Court of Appeals ruled in 1990 that the city owed Trump $6.2 million in tax rebates.
1990s
The Bonwit Teller store at Trump Tower closed in March 1990 due to its parent company's bankruptcy. In July 1990, Galeries Lafayette announced a 25-year lease for the former Bonwit space, a move that expanded its U.S. presence and helped Trump service the tower's debts. The renovated store, costing 3.6 million in its first year on sales of $8.4 million.
Galeries Lafayette closed its Trump Tower location in August 1994, less than three years after opening, citing an inability to pay the $8 million annual rent and taxes, along with a failure to stock top French designer merchandise. It was replaced by a Niketown store. By this time, most high-end retailers had departed, replaced by more mainstream brands like Coach and Dooney & Bourke.
2000s to Present
In 2006, Forbes valued the tower's office space at up to 288 million. Trump secured a ten-year, 490 million to 471 million due to a 20% decrease in operating income and an 8% decline in Manhattan real estate values. With the 371 million, excluding his penthouse.
Following Trump's 2016 presidential campaign launch at Trump Tower, visitation surged, particularly from supporters. Campaign merchandise sales in the atrium contributed to funding his campaign. The tower became a tourist attraction, especially after his election. In 2017, the city ordered the removal of two unauthorized kiosks selling Trump merchandise. The New York Times reported in 2020 that commercial rents had generated 20 million annually.
Wells Fargo & Co., the loan servicer, placed the tower on a debt watch list in September 2021 due to a drop in occupancy to 78.9% from 85.9% in 2020. Revenue fell significantly. By early 2024, Gucci was the sole major retailer in the atrium, which once housed 60 stores. Analysis in February 2024 revealed that the average price per square foot for a condominium had nearly halved since 2013, attributed to competition, the building's age, and persistent protests. In 2022, Trump refinanced the building with a $100 million loan from Axos Bank.
Tenants
Commercial Tenants
The Italian fashion retailer Gucci remains the largest commercial tenant, leasing 48,667 square feet (4,521.3 m²) since 2007. Gucci renegotiated its lease in 2020, securing a rent reduction in exchange for extending the lease. CONCACAF, the football confederation for North and Central America and the Caribbean, previously occupied the entire 17th floor. Qatar Airways, owned by the Qatari government, has leased space since at least 2008. In July 2025, FIFA leased offices for the FIFA Club World Cup.
From 2008 to October 2019, the Industrial and Commercial Bank of China operated a branch on three floors, paying approximately 3.9 million in rent in 2017 and 2018. By October 2020, Trump had received approximately $5.4 million from the bank.
The Donald Trump 2016 presidential campaign saw its monthly rent increase from 169,758. The Donald Trump 2020 presidential campaign paid over 37,541.67 per month. The Trump Organization's headquarters occupy the 25th and 26th floors. As of July 2025, the retail space is largely vacant, save for Gucci and two basement/ground-level stores selling Trump merchandise. The waterfall is off, and escalators to upper retail levels are cordoned off.
6 East 57th Street
The Trump Organization holds a ground lease on the adjacent building, 6 East 57th Street. One of Trump Tower's POPS is located atop this building, which housed the Niketown store from 1994. Nike closed the store in early 2018 and relocated. In 2018, Tiffany & Co. subleased the space until 2022 during renovations of its neighboring flagship. Louis Vuitton subleased it in 2025 during its own store renovation.
Residential Owners and Tenants
Donald Trump, Melania, and Barron maintain a three-story residence on the penthouse floors, covering about 11,000 square feet (1,000 m²). It was their primary residence until October 2019. The Trump Organization offices are on the 25th and 26th floors, with a private elevator connecting them to the penthouse. Trump uses the building for meetings, such as his April 2024 meeting with President of Poland Andrzej Duda and former Prime Minister of Japan Taro Aso.
The penthouse was originally designed by Angelo Donghia in a black-and-white, brass-and-mahogany scheme, later replaced by a gold-and-Greek-column design after Trump reportedly admired the lavish home of Saudi businessman Adnan Khashoggi. Ivana Trump described the penthouse layout in a 1984 GQ article: the first floor contained living, dining, and entertainment rooms and the kitchen; the second floor housed bedrooms and bathrooms with a balcony overlooking the living room; and the third floor had bedrooms for children, maids, and guests.
Other residents include filmmaker Vincent Gallo; art dealer Hillel "Helly" Nahmad, who acquired a second apartment in 2010; Juan Beckmann Vidal, owner of the tequila brand Jose Cuervo; and actor Bruce Willis, who purchased an apartment in 2007.
Past
Former tenants include Jean-Claude "Baby Doc" Duvalier, former president of Haiti, who lived in a 13.5 million. Prince Mutaib bin Abdulaziz Al Saud of Saudi Arabia reportedly occupied an entire floor. Mobster Vyacheslav Ivankov reportedly resided there in the 1990s before his arrest and deportation.
Chuck Blazer, former president of CONCACAF, rented two apartments on the 49th floor, one for himself and one for his cats, for a combined 3.5 million apartment; after a 2018 prison sentence, he was placed under house arrest there in 2020. Portuguese footballer Cristiano Ronaldo, who bought an apartment for 9 million in 2019 and sold it for $7.18 million in 2022.
Trump's parents, Fred and Mary, had a second home on the 63rd floor. During Trump's presidency, the Secret Service initially used the apartment below his penthouse as their command post but relocated to a sidewalk trailer in July 2017. The United States Department of Defense leased space for president-protection personnel. Former Trump campaign manager Paul Manafort agreed to forfeit his Trump Tower condo in 2018 as part of a plea deal in the Special Counsel investigation.
Incidents
During Construction
Destruction of Bonwit Teller Building Features
Art dealer Robert Miller, whose gallery was opposite the Bonwit Teller Building, contacted Penelope Hunter-Stiebel of the Metropolitan Museum of Art upon hearing of the building's demolition. In December 1979, Trump and Stiebel agreed that the Art Deco limestone bas-relief sculptures and the massive grille above the entrance would be removed and donated to the museum. Miller appraised the sculptures at 250,000. In February 1980, Trump assured the museum that his contractor would "save these artifacts and take all necessary measures to preserve them." Despite weekly meetings between the Trump Organization and Stiebel regarding transport, specific dates were never finalized, and Stiebel’s concerns about the lack of a formal agreement were dismissed.
On April 16, 1980, the grille and sculptures were removed, slated for destruction due to hazard concerns, cost, and potential construction delays. Stiebel attempted to pay for them but was rebuffed. Workers claimed she could make an appointment to view them, then canceled several. She was eventually informed the grille had been "lost" and the sculptures were destroyed on June 5. Trump later admitted ordering the destruction, calling the sculptures "garbage" and claiming their removal would cost an additional $500,000 and delay the project. He also stated the decor at his Grand Hyatt New York featured "real art, not like the junk I destroyed at Bonwit Teller."
The New York Times condemned the act as "esthetic vandalism," and Mayor Ed Koch's spokesperson stated Trump failed his "moral responsibility." Scutt was outraged, having envisioned incorporating the sculptures into the lobby design. Miller lamented that such artistry would "never be made again." Trump, however, later claimed the notoriety from the incident helped advertise residential units.
Unpaid Laborers
In 1983, a class-action lawsuit was filed against the Trump Organization for unpaid pension and medical obligations to labor unions. Trump had paid a window-cleaning company employing undocumented Polish immigrants during an adjoining building's renovation. The laborers claimed they were paid $4 an hour for 12-hour shifts and were not informed about asbestos in the construction site.
Trump testified in 1990 that he was unaware of the undocumented Polish immigrants working on the Bonwit Teller demolition and Trump Tower project. He claimed he rarely visited the site and never noticed the laborers, who often worked without hard hats. However, a labor consultant and FBI informant testified that Trump was aware of their status. Trump admitted using the pseudonym "John Baron" in business dealings, though he claimed this was after Trump Tower's construction. A labor lawyer testified to receiving threats from a "John Baron" over the phone. After the laborers filed a mechanic's lien for unpaid wages, they reported being threatened with deportation by a Trump Organization lawyer.
A judge ruled in favor of the Polish laborers in 1991, ordering the contractor to pay them 1.375 million, reportedly the full amount recoverable at trial.
Other Incidents
Trump sued a contractor for "total incompetence." Construction was halted twice due to protests by minority rights groups concerned about the lack of minority workers. Trump also clashed with Mayor Koch over the tower's tax exemption, ultimately winning a case in the New York State Court of Appeals regarding a 10% state tax on transactions over $1 million.
The city granted Trump permission to build the top twenty stories in exchange for operating the atrium as a city-administered, privately owned public space. Two Trump merchandise kiosks in the lobby, one replacing a public bench, operated in violation of city regulations. A notice of violation was issued in July 2015, demanding the bench's return. The Trump Organization initially disputed the violation but later agreed to remove the kiosks.
Trump allegedly maintained ties with organized crime figures for concrete supply. Mobster Michael Franzese claimed the mob controlled the concrete business and that Trump "didn't have a choice" but to deal with them. Mafia-connected union boss John Cody allegedly supplied Trump with concrete in exchange for a high-level apartment for his mistress. Journalist Wayne Barrett alleged in a 1992 book that Trump met personally with mob boss Anthony Salerno at the home of fixer Roy Cohn during a time when other developers sought freedom from mob control. Trump admitted in 2014 that he had "no choice" but to work with "concrete guys who are mobbed up."
Issues During Trump Presidency (2017–2021)
Claims Made by Trump
In March 2017, Trump tweeted claims that former president Barack Obama had wiretapped phones in Trump Tower. An Obama spokesperson denied the claims, and FBI Director James Comey stated there was no evidence of wiretapping.
Trump also claimed ownership of a painting, Two Sisters (On the Terrace), by Pierre-Auguste Renoir. The original hangs in the Art Institute of Chicago. Timothy L. O'Brien reported that Trump insisted his copy was genuine during interviews for his book, TrumpNation: The Art of Being The Donald. The Art Institute of Chicago refuted Trump's claim.
Security Issues
On August 9, 2016, a man posted a video claiming to be an independent researcher seeking to speak with Trump. The next day, a man, possibly the same individual, scaled the building using suction cups, and was arrested after nearly three hours.
Significant security concerns arose after Trump's election in November 2016. Trump Tower became a focal point for protests, necessitating extensive security measures. 56th Street between Fifth and Madison Avenues was closed to traffic, with later exceptions for deliveries. Access to shops was restricted. During presidential visits, dump trucks filled with sand were parked outside to prevent car bombings. Fire protection was also provided. A Sensitive Compartmented Information Facility was established for the president. The heavily secured building was nicknamed "White House North."
The Federal Aviation Administration imposed a no-fly zone over Trump Tower until January 2017. The NYPD estimated security costs at 24 million. Nearby businesses experienced decreased patronage due to reduced foot traffic. Despite heightened security, there were several arrests, including a woman who reached the 24th floor and a student found with weapons.
Protests around the tower diminished after Trump's inauguration. By summer 2017, security measures were reduced to only apply when Trump was present. Several businesses at the tower's base closed due to declining customer numbers. After Trump's presidency ended in January 2021, vehicular barricades were removed.
Other Incidents
On April 7, 2018, a fire broke out on the 50th floor, killing a resident and injuring six firefighters. Trump attributed the limited damage to the building's design. The deceased was identified as 67-year-old Todd Brassner, an art dealer. The residential units lacked sprinklers, as the building predated a 1999 law requiring them, a proposal Trump had lobbied against. The fire department attributed the blaze to overheated power wires. A minor electrical fire earlier that year had injured three people.
In July 2020, activists, including Mayor Bill de Blasio, painted "Black Lives Matter" in large letters on Fifth Avenue in front of the building. Trump expressed his opposition to the mural.
Impact
Critical Reception
In a 1982 review, New York Times critic Paul Goldberger contrasted Trump Tower's "reflective" nature with the postmodern 550 Madison Avenue. He later described the atrium as a "pleasant surprise," noting its "warm, luxurious and even exhilarating" atmosphere, though he found it "a bit too high and narrow." He criticized the "hyperactive" exterior and the constricted passageways within the atrium.
Ada Louise Huxtable, a former New York Times critic, called the finished tower a "monumentally undistinguished one," describing the atrium as an "uncomfortable place, awkwardly proportioned in its narrow verticality," a "pink marble maelstrom." She requested Trump remove a quote of hers praising the building's proposed design. William E. Geist called the tower a "Xanadu of conspicuous consumption," "preposterously lavish" and "showy, even pretentious." Architect Gregory Stanford deemed the atrium "pretty horrible."
The 2010 AIA Guide to New York City described Trump Tower as a "fantasyland for the affluent shopper," with the Trump theme pervasive. They likened its interior design to a generic "malt liquor" rather than a high-end "Veuve Clicquot." Fodor's New York City 2010 noted its "ostentatious atrium" as an example of 1980s "unbridled luxury." The atrium, along with that of Citigroup Center, was considered a convenient public area.
Frommer's called the tower "bold and brassy," its golden sign "screaming 'Look at me!'" Insight Guides deemed it "worth stopping by for a glimpse of the opulence synonymous with Manhattan in the 1980s," recognizable to viewers of The Apprentice.
In Popular Culture
Trump Tower served as the location for Wayne Enterprises in Christopher Nolan's The Dark Knight Rises. Trump himself praised the film, noting the tower's role. The 2010 comedy film The Other Guys featured a car chase scene involving a collision with Trump Tower. The penthouse was used in the 2015 film Self/less.
Trump Tower, a romance novel by Jeffrey Robinson, chronicles fictional residents' activities. News media noted its existence during the 2016 campaign. The novel, though registered with an International Standard Book Number, was never formally published. Some versions are advertised with Trump as the author.
Trump Tower appears on the cover of the 1997 video game Grand Theft Auto and is depicted in its sequel Grand Theft Auto IV and its episodes as Cleethorpes Tower.
See Also
- List of things named after Donald Trump
- List of residences of presidents of the United States
- Timeline of Russian interference in the 2016 United States elections
- Timeline of Russian interference in the 2016 United States elections (July 2016 – election day)
- Timeline of post-election transition following Russian interference in the 2016 United States elections
- Trump Tower meeting, June 9, 2016
- Mueller report