What building was built earlier,  Manhattan Life Insurance Building or 15 Penn Plaza?
Manhattan Life Insurance Building The Manhattan Life Insurance Building was a 348 ft tower at 64-66 Broadway in New York City completed in 1894 to the designs of the architects of Kimball & Thompson and slightly extended north in 1904 making its new address 64-70 Broadway. It was the first skyscraper to pass 100 m in Manhattan.
Provident Life &amp; Trust Company The Provident Life & Trust Company in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, a demolished Victorian-era building by architect Frank Furness, is considered to have been one of his greatest works. A bank and insurance company founded in 1865 by members of the Society of Friends (Quakers), the Provident's L-shaped building had entrances at 407-09 Chestnut Street (bank) and 42 South 4th Street (insurance company). The two wings were eventually consolidated into an office building (also by Furness) at the northwest corner of 4th & Chestnut Streets.