25. Trump Tower
The same year Trump’s Commodore Hotel takeover was finalized, the city approved the rights for Trump to develop Trump Tower in Midtown Manhattan. In order to complete the tower, Trump reportedly hired undocumented Polish workers to demolish the old Bonwit Teller retailer flagship store. That building was well known for its art deco features and had originally been marked for preservation by the city.
Trump Tower took four years to complete (pictured here is Trump at the building’s “topping off” ceremony), with the final spaces opening by November 1983. The building holds numerous residential and commercial spaces, most notably Trump’s own penthouse condominium and headquarters for the Trump Organization.
