:: BerDerp™ ::

(thanks Plug1 on this foto)

Over the weekend we took a bigger leap and put another notch into our belt under the category of Urban Exploring — this time taking an inside peek at the historical Pier 70 office for once prominent Bethlehem Steel Corp. During her heyday the company itself had nearly 300,000 workers; this office building, in once bustling Dogpatch, employed roughly 10,000 workers who helped crank out 72 ships during WWII alone (the company in its entirety was responsible for over 1000 ships across 15 shipyards). That said, Bethlehem Steel, founded in 1857, was once one of the largest shipbuilding companies in the world. Other major projects that the company helped complete include NYC’s Rockefeller Center, Madison Square Garden, and Golden Gate Bridge.

Nevertheless, this building has sat vacant since the 1989 earthquake, still showing off its classic 4 story Beaux Arts structure that features Doric pilasters and a grand marble foyer; it’s dark, tagged, trashed, long and vast inside.

Take a look.