Uniondale
516-414-2889
Midtown
212-683-7205
Downtown
212-253-2299

New York City Car Rental and the Pan Am Building

It was the largest commercial office building ever built in the world at the time of its opening. It opened on March 7, 1963 in Manhattan and it is one of the fifty tallest buildings in the USA today. This building is in the design of a Brutalist or International style skyscraper. This building has easy massing, gigantic floors and a lack of intricate detailing on the inside and outside of the structure. What building is being talked about in all of these descriptions? It's the Pan Am Building in Manhattan. On your future NYC car rental trip, why not visit the building that has become one of the most well-known buildings in the world? The Pan Am Building is 808 feet high, has 58 floors and has a 2.8 million square foot floor space. In 1981, the Pan Am Building was bought by the Metropolitan Life Insurance Company and now goes under the name of the MetLife Tower. In 2005, MetLife sold its building for a whopping $1.72 billion. This is the most money a building has ever gone for in the United States, showing just what a great piece of work it really is. Visit the Pan Am Building on your next NYC car rental vacation for a memorable experience that will last a lifetime.

Not Voted "Most Attractive"

Many residents who live around the Pan Am Building aren't too happy with its appearance. Architecture critics and many New Yorkers are unsatisfied with the design of the building. On the other hand, many tenants love the look of the building because of its location next to the Grand Central Terminal. Unfortunately, the Pan Am Building is located behind the Grand Central Terminal and kind of sticks out among other buildings around it. The shape of the building is modeled after the Pirelli Tower in Milan because of its tablet shape that is rare among buildings throughout the world. The Pan Am Building has a profound pre-cast front that many people seem to enjoy. Designed by Emery Roth and sons with the help of Walter Gropius and Pietro Belluschi, the Pan Am Building is able to give off a look of a subtle and simple feel. Examine the building for yourself, NYC car rental customers, and see what you think of it.

Famous in Hollywood

The Pan Am Building has had its share of fame. You could see the same building up close on your NYC car rental vacation that has been featured in many popular films. In "Coogan's Bluff", Clint Eastwood's character comes to this city in a helicopter. After Godzilla thunders over Grand Central Station you can see the Pan Am Building in the background. The building is also featured in the title of "Angels in America" and at the end of the movie "Antz". The Pan Am Building is included in the helicopter shots of the film "Hackers" and it is also featured in a quick shot of the 2005 movie "Rent". Many video games also involve the Pan Am Building, such as "Freedom Fighters" and games for Xbox and PlayStation 2. The Pan Am Building was also a great help to the JFK International Airport with its helicopter services. Unfortunately, this service was only offered from 1965-1968 because of an accident that ended up killing five people. Another famous moment that took place at the Pan Am was when Eli M. Black committed suicide in 1975. The Pan Am Building has two prominent "residents" named Lois and Clark. These are two Peregrine Flacons that nest at the building and keep an eye on people passing by. Visit one of the tallest buildings in New York City on your future NYC car rental vacation and see it all for yourself.