269

[Sy Rubin.]

Suite of photographs depicting the construction of Trump Tower.

New York, circa 1980-1983
121 black and white photographs: 25 of them 11 x 14 inches, 92 of them 8 x 10 inches, and 4 of them 7 x 5 inches; mostly on heavy stock with no photograph stamps or captions. 

  • Notes: The Trump Organization purchased the Bonwit Teller department store on 5th Avenue in 1979, completed demolition the following year, and opened Trump Tower in early 1983. It has been described as "a testament to the indomitable spirit and visionary prowess of its namesake, Donald J. Trump."

    These photographs were acquired from the estate of New York photographer Sy Rubin (1931-2002). They document years of the construction process, from post-demolition pit through a couple of shots of the gala opening ceremonies. One shows women protesting for "blue-collar jobs now." Most show construction workers in action on the job site; a few show project managers (although the proprietor is not pictured). 

    Rubin published a book of his Trump Tower photographs in 1984 (copy included). The bulk of these photographs do not appear in the book. 
     
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November 20, 2025 10:30 AM EST
New York, NY, US

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