These buildings are really old and large and most are without elevators.
Except in lower Manhattan in New York City, until 1885 few U.S. office buildings exceeded five stories. In lower Manhattan, after 1865 some office buildings without elevators were taller than five stories, but apparently the top floors generally were not used for offices. In addition, some hotels were taller than five stories. Construction of seven to ten story office buildings with elevators began around 1870.
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