The Woolworth Hosts Open House New York’s 2025 Launch Party
October 2025
The Woolworth welcomed Open House New York (OHNY) for the official launch of OHNY Weekend 2025, bringing together more than 500 leaders from New York City’s architecture, design, preservation, civic, and cultural communities.
Hosted on the building’s 26th floor, the event celebrated the power of an open city and the opportunity to experience New York’s remarkable architecture, history, and neighborhoods. It also marked a meaningful moment in the continued evolution of one of Lower Manhattan’s most celebrated landmarks.
“Open House New York embodies that same spirit of discovery, unlocking hundreds of destinations across the five boroughs and offering rare access to the people, places, and ideas that define New York and its future,” said Aron Weber, Regional Director with Cammeby’s International. “We’re proud that The Woolworth can play a small part in that story.”
Inspired by the evening’s “Intricate Details” dress code, guests enjoyed music, food, and community while raising funds to support OHNY Weekend. For many attendees, the celebration also provided a rare opportunity to experience one of New York City’s architectural treasures firsthand, reinforcing the building’s enduring significance as a cultural and civic landmark.
The event showcased The Woolworth as both a historic icon and a place of future possibility. Guests gathered above Broadway in a dramatic, open-floor setting that contrasted with the building’s landmarked lobby below known for its historic grandeur. The evening celebrated not only the building’s extraordinary legacy but also its growing role as a destination for New York’s next generation of creators, entrepreneurs, and civic leaders.
Designed by Cass Gilbert and completed in 1913, The Woolworth was once the tallest building in the world and remains one of the city’s most recognizable architectural landmarks. Its vaulted mosaics, marble interiors, terra cotta ornamentation, stained glass, and whimsical carved details continue to inspire architects, historians, tenants, and visitors from around the world.
Long known as the “Cathedral of Commerce,” The Woolworth has stood for more than a century as a symbol of New York’s ambition, artistry, and architectural innovation. Today, that legacy continues as the building enters a new chapter shaped by creativity, culture, and downtown revitalization. Surrounded by acclaimed restaurants, immersive cultural experiences, and an expanding mix of retail and hospitality destinations, The Woolworth sits at the center of Lower Manhattan’s continued transformation.
For over a century, The Woolworth has stood as a symbol of ambition and artistry, and today it continues to reflect the innovation and culture reshaping Downtown Manhattan.
Throughout OHNY Weekend, New Yorkers were invited to experience more than 300 buildings, infrastructure, cultural spaces, and civic landmarks that are often closed to the public, deepening appreciation for the design and ideas that shape the city. This included The Woolworth’s lobby.
As Lower Manhattan continues to evolve beyond the traditional office district, The Woolworth remains what it has always been: a place for bold ideas, ambitious people, and the ongoing story of New York.