The Griffith Tower – An Icon of the Skyline in Miniature
- Showcase: Department 56
- June 20, 2026
Some buildings are designed to serve a purpose.
Others are designed to make a statement.
The Griffith Tower belongs firmly in the second category.
Standing tall above the streets of Department 56’s Christmas in the City, this remarkable structure captures the ambition, elegance, and architectural grandeur that defined the great skyscrapers of the early twentieth century.
From street level to its illuminated spire, every inch of the Griffith Tower has been crafted to command attention.
A True Centrepiece Building
While many Christmas village buildings contribute to the atmosphere of a display, the Griffith Tower becomes the focal point.
Its impressive height immediately draws the eye, creating the same sense of scale and prominence that landmark towers bring to real-world city skylines.
Yet what makes this piece truly special is not simply its size.
It’s the extraordinary level of detail packed into every level of the building.
The closer you look, the more impressive it becomes.
Architectural Detail From Top to Bottom
One of the first things collectors notice is the incredible complexity of the façade.
Floor after floor of individually sculpted windows, decorative stonework, arches, columns, and ornamental mouldings combine to create a building that feels genuinely architectural rather than decorative.
The lower levels are particularly impressive.
Large arched openings, richly detailed masonry, decorative cornices, and carefully proportioned storefronts evoke the grand commercial buildings that helped define New York’s golden age of architecture.
Every surface contains texture.
Every elevation contains detail.
Every angle reveals something new.
The Art of Miniature Architecture
What sets Department 56 apart is its commitment to reproducing architectural features that many manufacturers would simply omit.
The Griffith Tower demonstrates this philosophy perfectly.
The rooftop terrace is surrounded by finely detailed balustrades, complete with individually sculpted posts and decorative corner elements.
The clock tower section features ornate clock faces framed by intricate decorative panels that capture the character of historic city landmarks.
Even the rooftop mechanical structures have been incorporated into the design, creating a realistic sense of scale and authenticity.
These details may seem small individually.
Together, they transform the building into a miniature architectural masterpiece.
A Skyline Defined by Its Clock Tower
Perhaps the most striking feature is the tower itself.
Rising above the main building, the clock section introduces an entirely new layer of visual interest.
The illuminated clock faces provide a focal point from every direction, while the surrounding stonework demonstrates remarkable depth and precision for a piece of this scale.
Above the clocks, the tower transitions into an elegant observation level before culminating in a beautifully executed spire.
The lattice-like detailing within the spire is particularly impressive, creating the appearance of intricate metalwork and adding a sense of lightness to the building’s vertical ascent.
It’s the kind of detail that collectors often discover only after spending time with the piece.
A Building That Rewards Close Inspection
Many village buildings look their best from a distance.
The Griffith Tower does the opposite.
The closer you move toward it, the more detail becomes visible.
Examine the lower storefronts and you’ll notice the careful proportions of the windows and awnings.
Study the mid-level floors and you’ll discover repeating decorative motifs sculpted into the façade.
Look upward and you’ll find ornate clock surrounds, rooftop balustrades, and intricate spire detailing that showcase the craftsmanship Department 56 is known for.
Every section tells part of the building’s story.
Why Collectors Love Landmark Pieces
For many collectors, landmark buildings become the centrepiece around which an entire display is built.
The Griffith Tower serves this role beautifully.
Its vertical presence naturally creates visual hierarchy within a city scene, helping smaller buildings feel connected as part of a larger urban environment.
More importantly, it introduces a sense of realism.
Real cities are remembered by their landmarks.
The Griffith Tower gives your Christmas in the City display exactly that.
A Showcase of Department 56 Craftsmanship
For collectors discovering Department 56 for the first time, the Griffith Tower represents many of the qualities that have made the brand so respected among enthusiasts around the world:
- Exceptional architectural realism
- Intricate sculpted masonry
- Detailed clock tower design
- Ornamental rooftop balustrades
- Individually modelled windows and façades
- Impressive illuminated spire
- A commanding centrepiece presence
- Display-worthy craftsmanship from every angle
More Than a Building
The Griffith Tower is not simply another addition to a village.
It is a statement piece. A landmark. A celebration of architecture, engineering, and craftsmanship.
Whether viewed from across the room or studied up close, it captures the ambition and elegance of a great city skyline and demonstrates exactly why Department 56’s Christmas in the City collection continues to inspire collectors around the world.
Collector's Note:
Notice the richly detailed storefront awnings, the individually sculpted windows, the ornate clock faces, and the elegant rooftop balustrades that surround the building’s upper levels. As your eye moves upward, the intricate lattice detailing within the spire reveals the extraordinary craftsmanship that makes this piece so memorable.
The Griffith Tower demonstrates one of the defining qualities of Department 56: the ability to transform architecture into art. It’s a building that rewards closer inspection every time it takes its place in your display.
It’s details like these that help explain why Department 56 has become one of the world’s most collected Christmas village brands.
This article was written with the help of A.I. and edited by a human.