History offers some clues.

In 1979, the 5th Avenue department store, Bonwit Teller, closed down and Trump purchased the property.

He wanted to build his flagship Trump Tower on the site.

But he needed to rush the demolition of the building to avoid paying real estate taxes on it.

The Bonwit Teller building had been constructed in 1929 in classic Beaux Arts style.

So, when news of Trump’s demolition plans spread, New York City preservationists stepped in, urging Trump to save two artistic elements of the building’s exterior:

…a pair of 15-foot bas-relief sculptures depicting nude women dancing with scarves;

…and a large, nickel-plated grill located over the store’s main entryway.

And Trump agreed.

Get full access to Photo of the Day at look.substack.com/subscribe