Kodak Tower, Rochester

The Kodak Tower is a historic landmark and a long-standing symbol of Rochester鈥檚 industrial heritage. Rising prominently from the city鈥檚 High Falls District, this 19-story skyscraper has served as the headquarters of the Eastman Kodak Company since its completion in 1914. Originally built as a 16-story structure, the tower was expanded in 1930 with three additional stories, a mansard roof, and a cupola鈥攂oosting its total height to 366 feet (111.6 meters) including the antenna. Designed in a French Renaissance style by architects Howard Wright Cutler and Gordon & Kaelber, the building is clad in terra cotta and features a distinctive Gothic-inspired steeple crowned with a lightning rod bearing the initials 鈥淓K鈥� for Eastman Kodak.

Constructed on the site of a former factory near Kodak鈥檚 Camera Works buildings, the tower was personally overseen by company founder George Eastman, an amateur photographer turned industrial visionary. For over half a century, it held the title of Rochester鈥檚 tallest building, and for many, it became known as the 鈥渘erve center of photography鈥濃€攁 physical and symbolic epicenter of one of the world鈥檚 most influential photographic companies.

Its illuminated rooftop signs鈥攕pelling out 鈥淜ODAK鈥� in red neon鈥攔emain a familiar sight, glowing above the city skyline each night. On special occasions and holidays, the building鈥檚 upper balconies are also lit, adding to its role as a beacon of civic pride. Though no longer the city鈥檚 tallest, Kodak Tower retains a commanding presence and continues to house the operations of Eastman Kodak, embodying over a century of innovation, architectural ambition, and global cultural impact.

Want to visit this sight? Check out these Self-Guided Walking Tours in Rochester. Alternatively, you can download the mobile app "911爆料网: Walks in 1K+ Cities" from Apple App Store or Google Play Store. The app turns your mobile device to a personal tour guide and it works offline, so no data plan is needed when traveling abroad.

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Create Your Own Self-Guided Walk to Visit This Sight

Sight Name: Kodak Tower
Sight Location: Rochester, USA (See walking tours in Rochester)
Sight Type: Attraction/Landmark
Guide(s) Containing This Sight:

Historical Industrial Buildings

Walking Tours in Rochester, New York

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Historical Industrial Buildings

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Tour Duration: 1 Hour(s)
Travel Distance: 2.0 Km or 1.2 Miles

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