Pottermore Has a History Lesson on Fantastic Beasts 1920s Skyline

Exploring the changes from Fantastic Beasts 1920s New York to the skyline we know today

A lot has changed in the Wizarding World from Newt’s time (the 1920s) to now and just has much has changed in New York City. When Newt first arrives in the Big Apple, the skyline he sees is very different from what we’re used to — and not for magical reasons. Pottermore recently took a look back at some of the iconic buildings that shaped the 1920s skyline.

The tallest building in New York City back in the 20s wasn’t the Empire State Building – it hadn’t been built yet – but the Woolworth Building. The neo-Gothic tower was built in 1913 and is 792 feet tall. It held the record for the tallest building in the world until 1930, when the boom of skyscrapers came to NYC. Today, the Woolworth Building has lost its ‘world’s tallest’ title, but still remains in the top 30 tallest buildings in NYC.

In the 1920s, New York’s architecture was heavily influenced by the Beaux Arts style. Beaux Arts is a style often seen in Europe that was popular in America, particularly NYC, from the late 1890s through the 1920s. Buildings in the Beaux Arts style would have a flat roof, a raised first story, grand entrances, arched windows and doors, and classical details. The New York Public Library and Grand Central Station are two prominent Beaux Arts examples in the city.

Another train station, Pennsylvania Station, was another Beaux Arts building in the city. If you’ve ever been to Penn Station and are thinking “it didn’t seem that nice,” there’s a reason. The Pennsylvania Station designed by McKim, Mead & White was torn down in the 1960s, and a new one was built nearby. The old Station was the size of two city blocks, with columns, eagle sculptures and a large concourse. It was considered an architectural jewel of the city. A few details from the original are integrated into the new train station, including some of the eagle sculptures.

Many of the buildings from that era, the ones that Newt and Niffler would have run through, are sadly no longer standing. But a few of these old architectural buildings are still around for us to visit. The Metropolitan Life Tower, which was built in 1909, is still standing in its original form. Inspired by Italian designs, the tower has a giant clock at the top. The building now houses the New York Edition Hotel, meaning you can spend the night in this historic building. No word on how much it costs to sleep in the clock tower.

Also still around is the iconic Flatiron Building, a structure that seems quintessentially New York. The triangular shaped building was completed in 1902 and has been replicated in cities across the world: there are flatiron inspired buildings in Atlanta, Toronto, Shanghai and Liverpool.

Eventually, the architecture of the city began to change. Beaux Arts and other turn-of-the-century styles gave way to Art Deco, like the Chrysler Building and the Empire State Building.

Next: Fantastic Beasts' True Stars Were The Special Effects

The skyline of New York City continues to change with new buildings being added and others getting updated or replaced, but there are still a few icons of the 1920s around to visit.