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  4. Facebook just leased office space in a 128-year-old New York City post office — here's a look at the building's fascinating history

Facebook just leased office space in a 128-year-old New York City post office — here's a look at the building's fascinating history

Mary Meisenzahl   

Facebook just leased office space in a 128-year-old New York City post office — here's a look at the building's fascinating history
Farley Building.Photo by Alexi Rosenfeld/Getty Images
  • Facebook just signed a lease to take all of the office space in the Farley Building in New York City.
  • The building is the main USPS hub in New York City, built in 1912.
  • The Farley Building has been renovated before, and offices and new train halls are the latest additions.

Facebook recently agreed to lease all 730,000 square feet of office space in the Farley Building in New York City. The new space will be a chance to grow the tech giant's New York presence beyond it's other large location at 770 Broadway, a spokeswoman said.

The Farley Building is a piece of New York City history. Formerly the James A. Farley Post Office, it is over 100 years old. It was first constructed alongside the original Penn Station, and has undergone renovations and name changes since.

Here's a look at the history of Facebook's newest office space.

The Farley Building is located across the street from Penn Station in midtown Manhattan.

The Farley Building is located across the street from Penn Station in midtown Manhattan.
Farley Building, 1930.      Photo by The Print Collector/Print Collector/Getty Images

It was completed in 1912, the same year as the original Penn Station.

It was completed in 1912, the same year as the original Penn Station.
Farley Building, 1950s.      Photo by George Marks/Retrofile/Getty Images

It opened for business in 1914.

It opened for business in 1914.
Farley Building 1914.      Library of Congress

In 1933, postal workers cheered on the 18-foot National Recovery Administration banner during the Great Depression.

In 1933, postal workers cheered on the 18-foot National Recovery Administration banner during the Great Depression.
Farley Building.      Bettman/Getty Images

James Farley, pictured here, was the 53rd Postmaster General of the US.

James Farley, pictured here, was the 53rd Postmaster General of the US.
James Farley.      Photo by Thomas D Mcavoy/The LIFE Picture Collection via Getty Images

In 1934, then Postmaster General Farley doubled the size of the building to take up two full city blocks in midtown.

In 1934, then Postmaster General Farley doubled the size of the building to take up two full city blocks in midtown.
Farley Building.      Photo by Lehnartz/ullstein bild via Getty Images

The iconic building has the the largest Corinthian colonnade in the world, and was constructed in the neoclassical Beaux-Arts style.

The iconic building has the the largest Corinthian colonnade in the world, and was constructed in the neoclassical Beaux-Arts style.
Farley Building.      Photo by Noam Galai/Getty Images

Source: NYC GO

The building bears the famous inscription "Neither snow nor rain nor heat nor gloom of night stays these couriers from the swift completion of their appointed rounds," often falsely called the motto of the USPS.

The building bears the famous inscription "Neither snow nor rain nor heat nor gloom of night stays these couriers from the swift completion of their appointed rounds," often falsely called the motto of the USPS.
Farley Building 1969.      Photo by Lehnartz/ullstein bild via Getty Images

In 1966, the building was declared a New York City landmark.

In 1966, the building was declared a New York City landmark.
Farley Building 1988.      Photo by Yvonne Hemsey/Getty Images

The New York City building was officially renamed for Farley in 1982.

The New York City building was officially renamed for Farley in 1982.
Farley Building.      Photo by Yvonne Hemsey/Getty Images

The large flight of stairs outside lead to the main level where customer services are located.

The large flight of stairs outside lead to the main level where customer services are located.
Farley Building.      Library of Congress

The basement was used for non-customer facing activities like mail sorting by employees.

The basement was used for non-customer facing activities like mail sorting by employees.
Farley Building.      Library of Congress

In 2005, Mayor Michael Bloomberg and Governor George Pataki announced plans to add a train station, commercial space, and residential housing to the Farley Building. The train station would be called Moynihan Train Station.

In 2005, Mayor Michael Bloomberg and Governor George Pataki announced plans to add a train station, commercial space, and residential housing to the Farley Building. The train station would be called Moynihan Train Station.
Farley Building model.      Getty Images

In 2010, New York broke ground on the first phase, adding new exits and a mezzanine.

In 2010, New York broke ground on the first phase, adding new exits and a mezzanine.
Moynihan Train Station.      Photo by Drew Angerer/Getty Images

The second round of renovations started in 2017, adding an Amtrak and Long Island Rail Road train hall. It's planned to open in 2021.

The second round of renovations started in 2017, adding an Amtrak and Long Island Rail Road train hall. It
Moynihan Train Station.      Photo by Drew Angerer/Getty Images

On August 3, tech giant Facebook signed a lease for all 730,000 square feet of office space in the Farley Building.

On August 3, tech giant Facebook signed a lease for all 730,000 square feet of office space in the Farley Building.
Farley Building.      Photo by Alexi Rosenfeld/Getty Images

Vornado Realty Trust provided renderings of what the finished building will look like.

Vornado Realty Trust provided renderings of what the finished building will look like.
Rendering of Farley Building.      Vornado Realty Trust.

The office space will take over four floors of the building, once renovations are complete.

The office space will take over four floors of the building, once renovations are complete.
Rendering of Farley Building.      Vornado Realty Trust.

The building has some of the largest office floors in the city, at over 200,000 square feet each.

The building has some of the largest office floors in the city, at over 200,000 square feet each.
Rendering of Farley Building.      Vornado Realty Trust.

Facebook told Business Insider that this large space will be used to "collaborate and innovate."

Facebook told Business Insider that this large space will be used to "collaborate and innovate."
Rendering of Farley Building.      Vornado Realty Trust.

While some Facebook employees can now request to permanently work from home, the Farley Building offices will be home to at least some New York-based employees.

While some Facebook employees can now request to permanently work from home, the Farley Building offices will be home to at least some New York-based employees.
Rendering of Farley Building.      Vornado Realty Trust.

"This significant investment in space will support Facebook's efforts to scale our tech and engineering teams," a Facebook spokeswoman said.

"This significant investment in space will support Facebook
Rendering of Farley Building.      Vornado Realty Trust.

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