Cityscapes || Chelsea to Hell’s Kitchen

The Humble Fabulist7 Comments

via Hudson Yards

The ”Mirror” Building, aka the Jean Nouvel Building.
Actually, its windows are multicoloured and, like the Gehry Building (see below), it changes appearance according to the time of day, weather and light.

The Shadow Building, aka the Frank Gehry Building, aka the IAC Building. As all structures designed by Frank Gehry, it looks different from every angle like a fascinating work of art.

The Chinese Consulate. It got my attention because, as far as I have seen, it is the only one situated on the West Side. And Hell’s Kitchen (as opposed to Upper West Side or Chelsea, for example), is a rather unusual location for a Consulate, but a very welcome one for the neighbourhood, especially during the Chinese New Year festivities which include fireworks over the Hudson River that are, apparently, spectacular! I’m eagerly waiting for this year’s announcement, but have already bookmarked the day: February 15th, eve of the Chinese New Year 2018, and the place: Pier 84, 12th Ave & 44th St.

Perspective of the Silver Towers, twin 60-story residential buildings designed by one of New York’s most prolific architects, the Greek born Costas Kondylis (another, less glass-towery building of his, we’ve seen here).

April 2nd, 2017

Little House on the Prairie

The Humble Fabulist3 Comments

From the early 19th century Upper East Side’s farmland to 121 Charles Street, a hip neighbourhood in Greenwich Village, this little white wooden house’s fascinating travel in time and space can be found in this article on the Brick Underground website here, and in a Greenwich Village Society for Historic Preservation report here.

Greenwich Village

April 2nd, 2017

That crooked little street called Gay

The Humble Fabulist10 Comments

Built in the 1820s as a row of horse stables for the wealthy living in nearby Waverly Place, it served successively as a low-income housing for their servants, home to black musicians, a den for artists and writers, a shelter for speakeasies during the ’20s. No one knows exactly why it is called Gay. There are a few theories but not much evidence – the Bowery Boys have more on this on their website.

Gay St., Greenwich Village

April 2nd, 2017

The stained glass windows of the Jefferson Market Library

The Humble Fabulist9 Comments

Originally built as the Third Judicial District Courthouse in 1876, this Victorian Gothic church-like building has been saved from demolition twice, thanks to the efforts of the local community: once in 1945, when it ceased to be used as a courthouse and a group of local community preservationists campaigned to have it converted into a library, instead of knocking it down. Their campaign proved successful when –  after extensive restoration – it opened as a branch of the New York Public Library in 1967. Budget cuts in 1974 obliged the Board of Trustees of the Library to vote in favour of closing the branch. The decision was rescinded one month later, following outcry of the local community and its function and public character were saved a second time.

Thanks to the local residents we can still enjoy these beautiful stained glass windows by English glass artist, Charles Booth (1844-1893), who also created the stained glass for nearby Grace Church at Broadway and 10th Street. Jefferson Market Library

April 2nd, 2017

 

*PAPARAZZI*

The Humble Fabulist4 Comments

I was walking down Greenwich Avenue toward the Jefferson Market Library, planning on taking a closer look at the stained glass windows I had read so much about, when suddenly….
… the familiar click click click and, before I knew it, I was surrounded…!They appeared out of nowhere and, in a matter of seconds, they seemed to be everywhere…Covering my face, I struggled to get away but could not shake them off; they kept tailing me until somebody else got their attention… … at last they left me alone… their next target had arrived and already taken position! I hurried into the calm, quiet hallway of the library but not before noticing the sign: at least now I know who is the mastermind behind the commotion…! 

Joel, Charlie, Rocky & Samuel aka Pararazzi Dogs in Bronze
By Gillie and Marc

 

Greenwich Village
April 2nd, 2017