The 39-story Secretariat building was the first major International Style building to be constructed in New York.

The 39-story Secretariat building was the first major International Style building to be constructed in New York. The style has a simple, geometric form, and a glass curtain wall. The building does not have historical references and is meant to symbolize the bright, peaceful future ahead that does not linger in the past. The building’s green glass and Vermont marble shine in the sunlight. The International Style originated in Europe and had social and political implications associated with progressive, reform-oriented architects and patrons. The building site is highly visible and surrounded by open spaces, which makes it the only freestanding skyscraper in New York.