Posted by NAMFCLA (North American Man-File Cabinet Love Association):

From the New York Times, December 16, 1938:

CITY BOARD SCORES DESIGN FOR HUNTER

Borough President James J. Lyons told the architects that their design [for
the boxy, mid-rise building at 68th and Park Avenue, of limestone with
industrial-style windows] looked like a "warehouse".  William F. Lamb of the
firm of Shreve Lamb & Harmon, designers of the Empire State Building [said]
"I know the layman says this is a terrible building, but they said the same
thing about the Empire State Building - until it was finished."

"I still say it is a terrible building" remarked Deputy Mayor Henry H.
Curran.