![Why New York's Skyline Has a Distinct Look](https://hight3ch.com/wp-content/uploads/2018/10/why-new-yorks-skyline-has-a-dist-800x440.jpg)
Why do so many of New York’s older skyscrapers have a similar design?
The answer can be traced back to a monumental 1916 zoning law, which established “setback” requirements for buildings above a certain height. In the heart of the Financial District, the Equitable Building, a historic skyscraper that predates the law, remains a symbol of the excesses of the pre-zoning era.