Similar Posts
Exploring the Secrets of the Astral Apartments
A year ago, I heard that plans were in the works to remake Rosemary’s Baby, and my reaction was exactly what you’re thinking now: NO. The film is a masterpiece, and to remake it would be nothing short of cinematic blasphemy. In the days that followed, however, I found myself mulling over the central question:…
A 19th Century Stable Hidden in the Heart of Midtown Manhattan
Some time ago, I was walking down West 55th Street in midtown when I happened to notice a peculiar building near Seventh Avenue… This three-story structure, nestled in between the towering brick pre-war apartments that line the block. There was almost an abandoned feel to it, with flaking paint giving way to the brick underneath……
Lighting Up The Astor Place Cube (Or, Throwies on the Alamo)
On Saturday night, I was walking through Astor Place past the iconic “Alamo” sculpture (aka The Big Black Cube That Has Never Actually Been Called The Alamo By Anyone Ever Other Than The Artist’s Wife Who Named It) when I noticed it looking distinctly Christmas Tree-ish: I crossed to the island, where something neat was…
Remnents of Kleindeutschland (Little Germany)
If you live in New York, you’ve probably passed by these two beautiful buildings on 2nd Ave at 9th Street in the East Village a zillion times. On the left is a branch of the New York Public Library; on the right is a former medical clinic. What comes as complete surprise to me is…
The Cutest Little House in Brooklyn
Just wanted to share a building with you that really made my day while out scouting recently. I was searching around the elevated JMZ train in Bushwick recently, and happened to turn down Belvidere Street. Mainly lined with ugly, aluminum siding-clad squat buildings, one structure in particular seemed completely out of place on the street……
The Three Private Graves In Manhattan
If you’re ever up at Riverside Park around Grant’s Tomb, be sure to take a moment and visit a slightly smaller grave nearby. Consisting of a simple urn and pedestal surrounded by a small fence, it’s easy to miss if you’re not looking for it… But in a way, it’s a pretty important monument: this…
6 Comments
Comments are closed.
WHY do they put this fabulous stuff so high only the pidgeons can see them…and you. Are they supposed to be secret…like where’s Waldo or some kind of code?
Scout, I love your work, don’t stop. I follow your blog daily! I thought I was the only one who stopped and took notice of architectural details … my wife teases me. Anyway, I think these flourishes are signs of craftsman’s pride … these gleaming glass-curtain buildings that are being thrown up now have none of these details … they are homogenized and boring.
It would be interesting to know when this was built. There was something of an Egyptian Revival after Howard Carter discovered King Tut’s tomb in the Valley of the Kings in 1922.
More on the Egyptian theme: have you seen the apartment building on the north side of West 70th St. bet. Broadway & Columbus? The name escapes me at the moment.
Love your blog.
I would love to know the address of this building if you have it.
Thanks 🙂
Great history,