LINCOLN BUILDING

An extraordinary building, seldom sung, rarely praised. Perhaps because it's so . . . well, it's difficult to say what it is. It's hard to believe that it was built in the same time as the Chrysler and Empire State Buildings - it has none of their bravura moderne appeal. It's a slab, a throwback, but it's so damned huge and impressive I forgive it everything.

This view doesn't do it justice; the main slab seems to be overwhelming the lower portion. But it works. Even if it seems to have a junior sidekick.

It was considered a disappointment at the time, since the new tall towers were going streamlined and Moderne, and something this safe in 1930 was considered a missed opportunity. I suppose it was, as the last gasp of historicism, you'll find few peers.