PUBLICATIONS & ANNUALS
HEARST TOWER: A Landmark Partnership
This ghostwritten forward for a commemorative book marking the 10th anniversary of Hearst Tower proves I’m as comfortable speaking FOR Sr. Management as to them.
(Forward)
Hearst’s New York City roots are deep. Going back 106 years—to Broadway and 58th Street and William Randolph Hearst’s acquisition of The New York Journal. He envisioned the growth of media around Columbus Circle—and fortified his 6-story International Magazine Building to grow along with it. But the Great Depression put those dreams on hold.
70 years later, Hearst found itself flush enough to revisit that dream. The news meant a lot to the nearly 2,000 employees scattered across the city. After September 11, it meant infinitely more. Hearst has a long history of firsts. But being the first to commit to a new building following the attacks surely means the most. I’m thankful to have had the support of the board and my colleagues, when so many in the city talked of leaving. We put our stake in the ground. And we broke ground. Our ties are too strong–and this city is too great—to have allowed anyone to put our dreams on hold again.
After more than a century, our connection to New York has been greatly enhanced by a building it loves and praises. More than anything else we’ve done, Norman Foster’s Tower has become our signature.
Frank A. Bennack, Jr.
Executive Vice Chairman & Former CEO