History of Trump Tower in Timeline
Trump Tower is a 58-story mixed-use skyscraper located on Fifth Avenue in Midtown Manhattan, New York City. It serves as the headquarters for the Trump Organization and features a penthouse residence formerly occupied by Donald Trump. Several other members of the Trump family also reside or have resided in the building. The tower was built on the site of the former Bonwit Teller flagship store.
1929: Bonwit Teller Building Constructed
In 1929, the architecturally renowned Bonwit Teller building was constructed, occupying the lot where Trump Tower would later be built.
1977: John Hanigan Becomes Chairman of Genesco
In 1977, John Hanigan became the new chairman of Genesco, leading to discussions with Trump about buying the Bonwit Teller building.
July 1978: Der Scutt Hired as Architect
In July 1978, Der Scutt was hired as the architect of Trump Tower.
May 1979: Closure of Bonwit Teller's Flagship Store
In May 1979, the Trump Organization closed Bonwit Teller's flagship store.
December 1979: Agreement to Donate Bonwit Teller Sculptures
In December 1979, Donald Trump agreed to donate the Art Deco limestone bas-relief sculptures from the Bonwit Teller Building's facade, along with the grille above the store's entrance, to the Metropolitan Museum of Art.
1979: Huxtable's comment on proposed design
In 1979, Ada Louise Huxtable made a comment regarding the "proposed faceted shape of the building."
1979: Opposition to Rezoning
In 1979, the New York Committee for a Balanced Building Boom opposed the planned rezoning for Trump Tower, fearing it would change Fifth Avenue's character.
1979: Sale of Bonwit Teller Building to Trump Organization
In early 1979, the Trump Organization bought the Bonwit Teller building for about $10 million.
February 1980: Trump's Letter Regarding Sculpture Preservation
In February 1980, Trump wrote a letter stating demolition would begin in approximately three to four weeks, with instructions to preserve the Bonwit Teller artifacts.
April 16, 1980: Destruction of Bonwit Teller Sculptures and Grille
On April 16, 1980, the Bonwit Teller grille and sculptures were removed and set to be destroyed due to hazard concerns, expense, and potential construction delays, despite attempts to save them.
September 1980: Anthony "Tony Raf" Rafaniello Hired
In September 1980, Anthony "Tony Raf" Rafaniello was hired as the head superintendent of the Trump Tower project.
October 1980: Barbara Res Hired as Construction Executive
In October 1980, Barbara Res was hired as the construction executive for Trump Tower, becoming the first woman to oversee a major New York City construction site.
November 1980: Trump's Comments on Art and Demolition
In November 1980, Trump commented in a New York Magazine article that the Grand Hyatt New York included "real art, not like the junk I destroyed at Bonwit Teller."
1980: New York City transit strike
During the 1980 New York City transit strike, some of the 200 undocumented Polish immigrants lived at the demolition site
July 1982: Trump Tower Topped Out
In July 1982, Trump Tower was topped out, two-and-a-half years after the start of construction.
1982: Huxtable Criticizes Trump Tower
Ada Louise Huxtable, who was The New York Times architecture critic until 1982, was later quoted by New York Times writer William E. Geist as saying that the building was a "dramatically handsome structure."
1982: Review by Paul Goldberger
In 1982, New York Times architecture critic Paul Goldberger reviewed Trump Tower, contrasting its "reflective" nature with the nearby postmodern 550 Madison Avenue building. Goldberger noted that the indoor atrium could become "the most pleasant interior public space to be completed in New York in some years" due to its marble and brass features, but also criticized the tower's "hyperactive" exterior in 1982.
February 14, 1983: Grand Opening of Atrium and Stores
On February 14, 1983, the grand opening of the Trump Tower atrium and stores was held.
May 1983: Pedestrian Death
In May 1983, a glass windowpane fell from a crane installing windows on Trump Tower, hitting two pedestrians, one of whom later died from a skull fracture.
August 1983: Construction Loan Paid Off and Residents Begin Moving In
By August 1983, the construction loan for Trump Tower's construction had been paid off, and the first residents were set to begin moving in.
August 1983: Positive press for Donald Trump
In August 1983, press coverage of Donald Trump was largely positive, with reporters noting that negative comments were only made off the record. At the time, forty high-end stores had opened in Trump Tower.
November 1983: Trump Tower Atrium, Apartments, Offices, and Stores Open
In November 1983, the atrium, apartments, offices, and stores within Trump Tower were opened to the public on a staggered schedule.
November 30, 1983: Opening of Ground-Level Stores
On November 30, 1983, the forty ground-level stores in Trump Tower opened for business.
1983: Class-Action Lawsuit Filed
In 1983, a class-action lawsuit was filed against the Trump Organization over unpaid pension and medical obligations to labor unions involved in the Trump Tower project.
1984: Court of Appeals rejects city's argument
In 1984, the New York Court of Appeals rejected the city government's initial attempt to deny tax breaks to Trump Tower, which claimed the tower did not replace an "underused" site.
1984: Ivana Trump describes penthouse
In a 1984 article in GQ magazine, Ivana Trump described the layout of their three-story penthouse in Trump Tower.
1984: Article featuring Ada Louise Huxtable's quote
In a 1984 article, Ada Louise Huxtable disputed a quote attributed to her about Trump Tower, clarifying that her positive comment was from 1979 regarding the building's proposed shape, not the finished structure. She criticized the completed tower and its atrium. The 1984 article also quoted Geist calling the tower a "Xanadu of conspicuous consumption".
1985: Trump describes tower as "something of a New York landmark."
In 1985, Donald Trump began describing Trump Tower as "something of a New York landmark," noting the high demand from over a hundred stores wanting to lease space in the building.
1985: Lawsuit Concerning State Tax Payment
In 1985, Trump was a plaintiff in a lawsuit against the state in the New York State Court of Appeals concerning the payment of a 10% state tax on real estate transactions of $1 million or more.
1985: Penthouse sale
In 1985, the penthouse in Trump Tower was sold for $15 million.
1986: Store closures and high rents
By 1986, 15% to 20% of the original stores in Trump Tower had closed or moved due to the highest commercial rents on Fifth Avenue, with atrium space costing $450 per square foot per year.
1988: City's claim rejected
In 1988, the Court of Appeals rejected the city's claim that Trump Tower's commercial space did not qualify for tax exemption.
1989: Duvalier's unpaid bills discovered
In 1989, public records in Haiti showed that Jean-Claude "Baby Doc" Duvalier, who lived in a $2 million apartment in Trump Tower, had forgotten to pay his bills.
March 1990: Bonwit Teller closes Trump Tower store
In March 1990, the flagship Bonwit Teller store in Trump Tower closed after its parent company declared bankruptcy.
1990: Trump's Testimony Regarding Undocumented Workers
In 1990, Trump testified he was unaware of the use of 200 undocumented Polish immigrants during the Bonwit Teller building demolition and Trump Tower project.
1990: Tax rebates awarded to Trump
In 1990, the New York Court of Appeals ruled that the New York City government had to give Donald Trump $6.2 million in tax rebates for Trump Tower.
September 1991: Galeries Lafayette opens
In September 1991, Galeries Lafayette opened in Trump Tower after a $13.7 million renovation of the space previously occupied by Bonwit Teller. However, it proved unprofitable.
1991: Judge Rules in Favor of Polish Laborers
In 1991, a judge ruled in favor of the Polish laborers, ordering the Trump Organization's contractor to pay the workers $254,000.
1991: Lawsuit against Pia Zadora
In October 1991, Donald Trump successfully sued actress Pia Zadora and her husband Meshulam Riklis for $1 million in unpaid rent for their Trump Tower residence.
1992: Barrett's Book on Trump's Mob Connections
In 1992, journalist Wayne Barrett concluded in his book that Trump did business with mobbed-up concrete companies and met with Anthony Salerno, amidst other developers seeking FBI protection from mob control.
August 1994: Galeries Lafayette closing announced
In August 1994, Galeries Lafayette announced it would close its Trump Tower location due to an inability to pay the $8 million annual rent and taxes.
1994: Niketown opens
In 1994, the Niketown store opened on top of the building adjacent to Trump Tower at 6 East 57th Street.
1997: Featured on Grand Theft Auto Cover
In 1997, Trump Tower was featured on the cover of the video game Grand Theft Auto.
June 1998: Judge Duffy Compares Case to Dickens' Novel
In June 1998, Judge Kevin Duffy, upon being assigned the case after a previous judge's death, compared it to Charles Dickens' fictional case Jarndyce and Jarndyce due to its protracted nature.
1999: Lawsuit Settled and Records Sealed
In 1999, the lawsuit involving the Polish laborers was settled, and its records were sealed.
2006: Forbes value
In 2006, Forbes magazine valued Trump Tower's office space at up to $318 million, and the tower itself at $288 million.
2007: Bruce Willis purchases apartment
In 2007, actor Bruce Willis bought a $4.26 million apartment in Trump Tower.
2007: Gucci rents retail space
Since 2007, Gucci has rented 48,667 square feet along Fifth Avenue in Trump Tower as its retail space.
2008: Depicted in Grand Theft Auto IV
In 2008, Trump Tower was depicted in the video game Grand Theft Auto IV and its episodes as Cleethorpes Tower.
2008: Fine for Merchandise Counter
In 2008, the Trump Organization was fined $2,500 for removing a public bench and installing a Trump-branded merchandise counter in the public space passageway inside the Fifth Avenue entrance.
2008: Lease Expiration
In 2008, the long-term lease on the land was set to expire.
2008: Qatar Airways leases space
Since at least 2008, Qatar Airways, owned by the Qatari government, has rented commercial space in Trump Tower.
2009: Peralta sells apartment
In 2009, Carlos Peralta, a billionaire businessman from Mexico, sold an apartment in Trump Tower for $13.5 million.
July 2010: Nahmad buys another apartment
In July 2010, the art dealer Hillel "Helly" Nahmad bought a second apartment in Trump Tower.
2010: AIA Guide and Fodor's Review
In 2010, the AIA Guide to New York City described Trump Tower as a "fantasyland for the affluent shopper." Fodor's New York City 2010 described the tower's "ostentatious atrium" as an example of the "unbridled luxury" of the 1980s.
2010: Webber moves out
In 2010, the composer Andrew Lloyd Webber moved out of his apartment in Trump Tower after 17 years.
2010: The Other Guys Filming Location
In the 2010 comedy film The Other Guys, a car chase scene featured Samuel L. Jackson's character driving his car into Trump Tower.
2011: Barrett Questions Trump's Business Dealings
In 2011, Wayne Barrett questioned Trump's business dealings in a Daily Beast article, alleging suspected mob connections.
2012: Trump's vlog post on The Dark Knight Rises
In 2012, Donald Trump posted a vlog on the Trump Organization's YouTube channel, acknowledging Trump Tower's role as Wayne Enterprises in The Dark Knight Rises and calling the movie "really terrific."
2012: $100 million mortgage loan
In 2012, Donald Trump took out a $100 million mortgage loan on Trump Tower.
2013: Condo price average decrease
By early 2024, the average per-square-foot cost of a condominium at Trump Tower had nearly halved since 2013.
2014: Building valuation rose
Between 2014 and 2015, Trump Tower's valuation rose from $490 million to $600 million.
2014: Trump Admits to Working with "Mobbed Up" Concrete Companies
In 2014, Trump admitted he "had no choice" but to work with "concrete guys who are mobbed up".
2014: Death of Jean-Claude "Baby Doc" Duvalier
Jean-Claude "Baby Doc" Duvalier, the ex-president of Haiti who died in 2014, had lived in a $2 million apartment on the 54th floor of Trump Tower.
July 2015: Notice of Violation Issued for Merchandise Kiosks
In July 2015, New York City issued a notice of violation demanding the removal of Trump merchandise kiosks operating out of compliance with city regulations.
August 2015: Cristiano Ronaldo buys apartment
In August 2015, Cristiano Ronaldo paid $18.5 million for an apartment in Trump Tower.
2015: Building valuation rose
Between 2014 and 2015, Trump Tower's valuation rose from $490 million to $600 million.
2015: Second Counter Added
By 2015, a second merchandise counter had been added to the atrium.
2015: Donald J. Trump for President, Inc. Founded
In 2015, Donald J. Trump for President, Inc. was founded to manage Trump's 2016 U.S. presidential campaign and was headquartered within part of the space where The Apprentice was filmed.
2015: Trump launches his 2016 presidential campaign
In 2015, Donald Trump launched his 2016 presidential campaign at Trump Tower, which significantly increased the number of visits to the tower.
2015: Energy Star Score Recorded
In 2015, Trump Tower's Energy Star score was recorded at 48 out of 100.
2015: Permit Application for Clock
In 2015, the Trump Organization applied for a permit for the clock, after having been installed without one previously.
2015: Self/less Filming Location
In 2015, the penthouse in Trump Tower was used as a filming location for the action film Self/less.
January 2016: Trump Organization to Remove Kiosks
In January 2016, a lawyer for the Trump Organization stated the merchandise kiosks in Trump Tower's lobby would be removed in two to four weeks.
March 2016: Rent increase for campaign headquarters
In March 2016, the monthly rent paid by the Donald Trump 2016 presidential campaign for its Trump Tower headquarters was $35,458.
August 9, 2016: Man Posts Viral Video
On August 9, 2016, a man posted a viral video on YouTube, claiming to be an independent researcher who wanted to speak to Donald Trump.
November 8, 2016: Increased Security After Trump's Election
After Trump became president-elect on November 8, 2016, security measures were increased at Trump Tower, including street closures and deployment of sanitation trucks as barriers.
December 6, 2016: Woman Reaches 24th Floor
On December 6, 2016, a woman reached the 24th floor of Trump Tower before being stopped by Secret Service officers.
December 2016: Yelp and Google Reviews
In December 2016, Yelp reviews of Trump Grill averaged two-and-a-half out of five stars, while Google reviews averaged three of five stars.
2016: Petitions to relocate Niketown store
During and after the 2016 U.S. presidential election, opponents of Donald Trump's election created petitions to relocate the Niketown store in Trump Tower.
2016: News media reports on "Trump Tower" novel
During the last week of the 2016 presidential campaign, news media reported on the existence of "Trump Tower", a romance novel by Jeffrey Robinson.
2016: Insight Guides' mention of Trump Tower
In 2016, Insight Guides mentioned Trump Tower as "worth stopping by for a glimpse of the opulence synonymous with Manhattan in the 1980s" and noted its recognition from The Apprentice.
2016: Increased visits and campaign memorabilia sales
In 2016, Trump Tower gained popularity among tourists and visitors after Donald Trump launched his presidential campaign, with stores selling campaign memorabilia.
2016: Tower value decline
In 2016, Trump Tower's value dropped from $630 million to $471 million due to a decline in operating income and real estate value in Manhattan.
2016: Trump's Successful Election
In 2016, after Trump's successful election, the campaign was moved out of Trump Tower.
2016: Trump Tower Visitation Increase
In 2016, following Donald Trump's presidential campaign and subsequent election, Trump Tower experienced significant increases in visitation, leading to heightened security measures around the building.
2016: Fine and Order to Remove Counters
In 2016, the Trump Organization was fined $14,000 and ordered to remove the sales counters and reinstall the bench.
2016: Wiretapping Claims Refuted
In March 2017, Trump wrote on Twitter about wiretapping claims that occurred toward the end of the 2016 campaign. An Obama spokesperson refuted the claims, and the FBI Director, James Comey, said there was no evidence of wiretapping.
January 2017: 2020 campaign rent payments begin
From January 2017 until the end of 2018, the Donald Trump 2020 presidential campaign paid more than $890,000 in rent for space in Trump Tower.
January 2017: Security Measures Loosened After Inauguration
In January 2017, after Trump's inauguration, protests around Trump Tower subsided, and security measures were loosened, only being in place when Trump was present.
January 20, 2017: No-Fly Zone Over Trump Tower
Until January 20, 2017, the Federal Aviation Administration imposed a no-fly zone over Trump Tower.
March 2017: Trump's Wiretapping Claims
In March 2017, Trump claimed on Twitter that former president Barack Obama had wiretapped phones in Trump Tower.
April 2017: Department of Defense leases space
In April 2017, the United States Department of Defense signed an 18-month lease for space in Trump Tower to house personnel and equipment dedicated to protecting the president.
July 2017: Secret Service moves command post
In July 2017, the Secret Service moved its command post from inside Trump Tower to a trailer on the sidewalk.
October 2017: Dispute over Renoir Painting
In October 2017, Timothy L. O'Brien reported that Trump repeatedly claimed his copy of Renoir's "Two Sisters (On the Terrace)" was the genuine work, despite contrary evidence, with the Art Institute of Chicago refuting Trump's claim.
November 2017: Settlement Documents Unsealed
In November 2017, U.S. District Judge Loretta A. Preska ordered the settlement documents from the Polish laborers' lawsuit to be unsealed.
2017: Energy Star Score
In 2017, Trump Tower's Energy Star score was 44 out of 100, which was below the city's median score.
2017: Kiosks removed
In 2017, the city ordered the removal of two unauthorized kiosks in Trump Tower that were selling merchandise related to Donald Trump.
April 7, 2018: Fatal Fire on the 50th Floor
On April 7, 2018, a 4-alarm fire broke out in an apartment on the 50th floor of Trump Tower, resulting in one death and injuries to six firefighters.
April 2018: Fire Investigation
In April 2018, following the fatal fire, the New York City Fire Department (FDNY) announced that the fire had been accidentally caused by overheating power wires.
September 2018: Manafort forfeits condo
In September 2018, former Trump campaign manager Paul Manafort agreed to forfeit his Trump Tower condo as part of a plea deal during the Special Counsel investigation.
2018: 2020 campaign rent payments end
From January 2017 until the end of 2018, the Donald Trump 2020 presidential campaign paid more than $890,000 in rent for space in Trump Tower.
2018: Health Inspection Violations
In 2018, health inspections reported "evidence of mice or live mice" in and around the kitchen of Trump Grill.
2018: Commercial rent earnings reported
In 2020, The New York Times reported that Donald Trump had earned $336 million in rent from Trump Tower's commercial spaces between 2000 and the end of 2018.
2018: Niketown closes and Tiffany&Co. sublease
In early 2018, Nike closed its Niketown store as planned, and Tiffany & Co. subleased the space until 2022 while its flagship store was renovated.
2018: Marin sentenced to four years
José Maria Marin, former president of the Brazilian Football Confederation, was sentenced to four years in prison in 2018, and he was subsequently placed under house arrest at his $3.5 million apartment in Trump Tower in 2020.
May 2019: Carbon Emission Standards Failure
In May 2019, it was reported that Trump Tower and seven other Trump buildings in New York City failed to meet the city's 2030 carbon emission standards, potentially leading to fines for the Trump Organization.
October 2019: ICBC continues renting two floors
In October 2019, Eric Trump said that the Industrial and Commercial Bank of China (ICBC) was continuing to rent two floors in Trump Tower.
October 2019: Trump no longer primary resident
Until October 2019, Trump Tower was the primary residence of Donald Trump, his wife Melania, and their son Barron.
2019: Ronaldo puts apartment on the market
In 2019, Cristiano Ronaldo put his Trump Tower apartment on the market for $9 million.
2019: Gucci's Rent
In 2019, Gucci was paying $440 per square foot for its retail space in Trump Tower.
May 2020: George Floyd Protests
The "Black Lives Matter" mural painted in July 2020 was announced in response to the George Floyd protests, which were a series of pro-police-reform protests that started after the murder of George Floyd in May 2020.
July 2020: "Black Lives Matter" Mural Painted
In July 2020, activists, including New York City mayor Bill de Blasio, painted the words "Black Lives Matter" in giant letters on Fifth Avenue in front of Trump Tower.
October 2020: Trump received approximately $5.4 million from ICBC
By October 2020, Donald Trump had received approximately $5.4 million from the China state-owned bank ICBC through its $1.9 million annual rent in Trump Tower.
2020: Gucci renegotiates lease
In 2020, Gucci renegotiated its lease in Trump Tower, receiving a reduction in rent for extending the lease beyond 2026.
2020: Commercial rent earnings reported
In 2020, The New York Times reported that Donald Trump had earned $336 million in rent from Trump Tower's commercial spaces between 2000 and the end of 2018.
2020: Trump Tower average occupancy decreased
In 2020, Trump Tower average occupancy decreased to 78.9% from 85.9%.
2020: Trump's Unsuccessful Re-election Campaign Headquarters
In 2020, Trump's unsuccessful re-election campaign was headquartered in office space in Arlington, Virginia.
2020: Marin under house arrest
José Maria Marin, former president of the Brazilian Football Confederation, was sentenced to four years in prison in 2018, and he was subsequently placed under house arrest at his $3.5 million apartment in Trump Tower in 2020.
January 2021: Vehicular Barricades Removed
In January 2021, after Trump's presidency ended, the vehicular barricades blocking access to 56th Street from Fifth to Madison Avenues were removed.
March 2021: PAC takes over campaign space
In March 2021, one of Donald Trump's PACs took over the Trump 2020 presidential campaign's space on the 15th floor of Trump Tower for $37,541.67 per month.
September 2021: Trump Tower on debt watch list
In September 2021, Trump Tower was placed on a debt watch list by Wells Fargo due to decreased occupancy, falling to 78.9% from 85.9% at the end of 2020.
2021: Ownership Change
As of 2021, GMAC Commercial Mortgage is listed as the official owner of Trump Tower, according to the New York City Department of City Planning.
2021: Remodel and Renaming of Trump Bar
In 2021, the Trump Bar in the lobby of Trump Tower was remodeled and renamed 45 Wine and Whiskey.
2022: Tiffany & Co. sublease expires
In 2018, Tiffany & Co. subleased the space on 6 East 57th Street until 2022 while the neighboring Tiffany & Co. flagship store was being renovated.
2022: Ronaldo sells apartment
In 2022, Cristiano Ronaldo sold his Trump Tower apartment for $7.18 million.
2022: Trump refinanced the building
In 2022, Donald Trump refinanced Trump Tower with $100 million from Axos Bank.
July 2023: Notification Regarding Unauthorized Structures
In July 2023, the New York City Department of Transportation reminded the Trump Organization of its "2015 notification regarding unauthorized structures".
August 2023: Illegally Installed Clock
In August 2023, The New York Times reported that the clock outside Trump Tower had been installed illegally, as the Trump Organization had neither applied for nor received a permit.
April 2024: Meetings held in Trump Tower
In April 2024, Donald Trump used Trump Tower for meetings, including with the President of Poland Andrzej Duda and former Prime Minister of Japan Taro Aso.
2024: Dollar Equivalence
In 1983, laborers were paid $4 an hour which is equivalent to $13 in 2024.
2024: Gucci is only large retailer in the tower
In early 2024, it was noted that Gucci was the only large retailer remaining in Trump Tower's retail atrium.
2025: Louis Vuitton subleases
In 2025, Louis Vuitton subleased the space on 6 East 57th Street during the renovation of its own flagship store nearby.
2026: Gucci's lease extension
In 2020, Gucci renegotiated its lease in Trump Tower, receiving a reduction in rent for extending the lease beyond 2026.
2030: Carbon Emission Standards Implementation
In 2030, carbon emission standards were implemented as part of the city's "Green New Deal".
