Most of those who visit or live in New York have surely taken a stroll in Hell's Kitchen – and in it, there's a brutalist behemoth of a building that has no windows. That's AT&T's 811 Tenth Avenue skyscraper. But why does it have no windows?
Image by Brokkeli rob - Own work,
/commons.wikimedia.org/w/index.php?curid=88971172" class="external" target="_blank" rel="nofollow">Wikipedia, CC BY-SA 4.0
The fortress-like tower certainly draws attention and its story was told once again in a recent report.
Rising from the heart of Hell's Kitchen, 811 Tenth Avenue is a 370-foot concrete monolith completed in 1964. Designed by the architectural firm Kahn & Jacobs, it spans an entire city block between West 53rd and 54th Streets. Its blank exterior shocked New Yorkers when first revealed, sparking debate over its austere appearance and imposing bulk.
Yet the design was intentional: the windowless facade shielded sensitive telecommunications equipment from heat, humidity, and outside interference. There are even reports there's a small bomb shelter underneath it. The sheer mass of the structure was engineered to endure even a nuclear strike, ensuring communication lines could remain intact during catastrophe, fire, or sabotage. Remember, 1964 was just after the Cuban Missile Crisis, so the Cold War was raging on. AT&T needed this building to be extra secure.
Have you seen the 811 Tenth Avenue skyscraper?
Yes, I love it.
21.21%
Yes, but I don't like it.
6.06%
No, but I want to.
42.42%
No, but I don't want to.
30.3%
Over time, the building accumulated layers of secrecy. By 1985, it had reportedly become part of covert NSA operations, linked to the Fairview program tasked with monitoring electronic communications. This deepened its reputation as both a technological stronghold and a shrouded participant in surveillance.
By 2000, the fortress on Tenth Avenue shed its past as an analog hub and was reborn as one of New York's digital engines. Inside the building, signals move through extensive equipment, transmitting voices and data continuously across the city.
Observers often draw parallels to another enigmatic tower downtown, 33 Thomas Street, the infamous Long Lines Building. Both rise without windows, more citadel than skyscraper, and both are armed with colossal generators and hidden fuel stores. Their isolation from the city around them is no accident. They are designed to keep running when everything else fails, when the lights of Manhattan flicker out and silence threatens to swallow the grid.
Travel Easy with Nomad eSIM – 25% Off
25% off eSIM data-only plans & global coverage - enter code IPHONE25, sign up required
Sebastian, a veteran of a tech writer with over 15 years of experience in media and marketing, blends his lifelong fascination with writing and technology to provide valuable insights into the realm of mobile devices. Embracing the evolution from PCs to smartphones, he harbors a special appreciation for the Google Pixel line due to their superior camera capabilities. Known for his engaging storytelling style, sprinkled with rich literary and film references, Sebastian critically explores the impact of technology on society, while also perpetually seeking out the next great tech deal, making him a distinct and relatable voice in the tech world.
A discussion is a place, where people can voice their opinion, no matter if it
is positive, neutral or negative. However, when posting, one must stay true to the topic, and not just share some
random thoughts, which are not directly related to the matter.
Things that are NOT allowed:
Off-topic talk - you must stick to the subject of discussion
Offensive, hate speech - if you want to say something, say it politely
Spam/Advertisements - these posts are deleted
Multiple accounts - one person can have only one account
Impersonations and offensive nicknames - these accounts get banned
To help keep our community safe and free from spam, we apply temporary limits to newly created accounts:
New accounts created within the last 24 hours may experience restrictions on how frequently they can
post or comment.
These limits are in place as a precaution and will automatically lift.
Moderation is done by humans. We try to be as objective as possible and moderate with zero bias. If you think a
post should be moderated - please, report it.
Have a question about the rules or why you have been moderated/limited/banned? Please,
contact us.
FCC OKs Cingular\'s purchase of AT&T Wireless
Things that are NOT allowed:
To help keep our community safe and free from spam, we apply temporary limits to newly created accounts: