The preconditions for the architecture of high-rise buildings in New York were the development of industrial production and its concentration as a complex control system. This has resulted in the creation of a new level of business buildings.
Creation and implementation of the concept of high-rise buildings, as well as the emergence and use of the term "skyscraper" began with the construction of the New York World Building in 1890. At that time, it was the first building to exceed the height and meet the requirements of the concept of "skyscraper".
As history shows, the period of high-rise construction in New York City was very early, because since 1890 already 11 skyscrapers of the city bore the title of the highest buildings in the world. Thus, the center of high-rise construction has passed to New York after two decades of leadership of Chicago. Due to the rapid development of high-rise buildings in Chicago, in 1893 the first law on zoning the city's heights was introduced, which limited the height of buildings to 39 m. In a few years the law practically stopped the construction of high-rise buildings, which gave impetus to the formation of high-rise building architecture in New York.
At the same time, restrictions on the use of frame construction of external walls were removed in New York City, and large-scale construction was launched in the city. Having become the center of business industrial activity, the issue of development of the city districts, where the main nodes of significant transport routes were located, became the center of business activity. After that, a large-scale construction of skyscrapers with a height of 80 to 240 meters at the site of demolition of various buildings. New high-rise buildings were designed for commercial, administrative firms.
Thus, the first law on altitude zoning had an impact on the further development of skyscrapers in New York, thus completing the 1st stage of high-rise construction in Chicago.
During the formation of high-rise construction in New York City, a new style called Art Deco began to emerge, coinciding with the development of new trends in urban planning. The basis of the style was the rapid lines that transmit speed, dynamics, reflecting the simplicity and straightforwardness of the buildings.
Thus, the blossoming of the decorative style coincided with the construction boom, expressed by a new stage of development of the American construction of skyscrapers. Art trends of Art Deco style have entered the history of architecture of New York under the name "style of skyscrapers".
At the time of the formation of high-rise construction in New York City there were no restrictions on the height and weight of skyscrapers. Such freedom in building was connected with the finance, at the expense of building the maximum profit from the built up sites. There was a problem of public benefit from mass development of "high-rise buildings". The public of the city and such architects as E. Fleg, L. Sullivan, D. Adler tried to find compromises in the settlement of issues between property rights and public amenities, but their proposals did not receive support at the end of the 19th century, so the height and number of skyscrapers continued to grow, satisfying the wishes of their owners.
At that time, the high-rise buildings were a tower-column, a high-rise building with a tower superstructure, a block divided into tiers or several buildings that were connected on different floors by passages across the street. The buildings were designed according to the wishes and preferences of their customers. With no restrictions on form and height, the skyscrapers were gaining momentum and building up the city's territory.
Accordingly, it caused a wave of indignation among the public. Four quarters of the city were shaded by high-rise buildings, and there were problems with the natural lighting of neighboring buildings, which reduced the demand for real estate and led to lower prices. The problem of shading of the neighboring buildings has been brewing for a long time, but after the construction of the Equitable Building it was the last push to aggravate this issue. In order to avoid a conflict and the city was not immersed in the darkness of the "stone jungle", a law on zoning was adopted, describing the rules and restrictions in the construction of skyscrapers, which should have been followed by every architect.
Thus, the period of formation of high-rise construction in New York City in 1890-1910s ended.