Location:330 West 42nd Street between Eighth and Ninth Avenues, New York, New York
Architect:Raymond Hood, Godley & Fouilhoux
Date Completed:1931
Often referred to as the "jolly green giant", the McGraw Hill Building dominated
the skyline in its neighborhood for most of its life. Hood designed the building with
numerous setbacks on the north and south sides. From those angles, the building
appears as a slab. But from the east or west, the building appears as a stepped tower.
Each floor of the north and south sides consists of 7 sets of four double hung windows,
separated by green painted metal strips. These window bands on each floor are
separated by continuous courses of bluish-green terra-cotta brick, which vary in size and
tone to create an almost sparkling effect from street level.
The idea of the bluish-green terra cotta brick was a totally radical one at the time.The
final shade was said to have been selected by John Herbert McGraw himself.
The top two stories have horizontal ribs that almost resemble wings, which form a simple,
clean, yet distinctive crown. As always, Raymond Hood combined the practical constraints
of the 1916 setback law with his unique vision and created a masterpiece.
The McGraw Hill is two great buildings in one. From two sides it is a graceful Art
Deco tower, from the other two sides, an International Style Slab.
McGraw-Hill Building
