This Building Got Away From Breaking NYC Law

In 1946 after the new United Nations was formed. It needed a headquarters, and hours before it was in Philadelphia, John D. Rockefeller, Jr., stepped in at the last moment to donate $8.5 million to purchase the permanent Midtown Manhattan.

While the UN was deciding on a permanent home in late 1945, Philadelphia was considered a top contender. The city actively lobbied for the role and offered free, tax-exempt land in areas like Fairmount Park.

Compared to today’s compact, lightweight appliances, 1953 air conditioners were massive, incredibly heavy, and physically obtrusive. This will be very important later.

The United Nations Headquarters breaks local regulations by using an East River water intake and discharge system to cool its buildings. Because this system returns hot water directly to the river, it violates modern city and state environmental laws, though the UN’s system predates the regulations and is grandfathered in. This is banned in New York City due to environmental concerns.

The Secretariat Building would become structurally compromised and completely uninhabitable. Because the tower was designed in 1947 as one of the world's first all-glass skyscrapers, its physical architecture is entirely dependent on its water- cooling loop. Eliminating water from the system would trigger a chain reaction of structural, architectural, and internal failures.

The United Nations Headquarters is considered International Territory and therefore isn't a part of New York City.