Unless you live or work at least 26 stories above the Financial District, you’ve probably never seen this British World War I fighter plane perched on the roof of the office tower at 77 Water Street.

But it’s been there for more than 45 years, and it was the idea of the building’s owner, the William Kaufman Organization.

The company decided to put this unusual “crowning jewel” on the top of the building, complete with an Astroturf runway and landing lights, just before it was completed in 1970.

The aircraft “serves as an endless source of delight and fascination for visitors who catch a glimpse of the unusual object adorning the roof.”

And though it looks authentic in photos, it’s actually a “sculptured steel replica” of a World War I Sopwith Camel fighter plane.

77 Water Street sounds like a fun place to be a desk jockey. Inside the lobby is a “wood-framed, turn-of-the-century-style” candy store.

[Top photo: Rob Bennett for the Wall Street Journal; bottom: William Kaufman Organization]

Share this: Twitter

Facebook

Reddit

Tumblr

Pinterest

Email

LinkedIn

Like this: Like Loading... Related

Tags: 77 Water Street, Financial District secrets, Lower Manhattan warplane on roof, New York rooftops, Sopwith Camel Fighter Plane, warplane on office tower roof New York City, William Kaufman Organization