Hunting for Hecla: The Danish-Norwegian Contribution to NYC’s Modern Architecture

• Art/Photo
• Design & Architecture

Norwegian father and son duo architect and writer Jan and photographer Are Carlsen, with video director Ninja Benneche, enthusiastically tell the relatively unknown story of Williamsburg-based Hecla Iron Works and its two pioneering founders Norwegian Carl Michael Eger (1843 – 1916) and the ASF’s founder Dane Niels Poulson (1843 – 1911) during the late 19^th-century and early 20^th-century, a vital period of growth for New York City as a modern metropolis developing its modern architectural language.

Amongst their discoveries of buildings that Hecla contributed to are the American Surety Building, Dakota House, B. Altman & Co. Department Store, Macomb´s Dam Bridge and 155^th Street Viaduct, Grand Central Station, the New York Stock Exchange, Flatiron Building, Lullwater Bridge, and several original kiosks for the IRT subway system.