Which building hosted the first documented New Year's Eve ball drop in New York's Times Square?

One Times Square hosted the first documented New Year's Eve ball drop in New York's Times Square. The inaugural descent took place there on December 31, 1907, welcoming the year 1908.

One Times Square was built as the headquarters of The New York Times. The newspaper’s move helped give the surrounding area the name Times Square, replacing the earlier name Longacre Square.

The ball-drop idea provided a visual countdown for crowds gathered below and for observers across the city. It was inspired by time balls used elsewhere to signal an exact time, especially to ships and communities.

The building remains the traditional home of the ball drop even though the event’s crowds, broadcasts, lighting technology, and security arrangements have changed dramatically. The location is therefore more specific than simply saying Manhattan or New York City.