Architect: James Renwick Jr. Built: 1858-1879 John Hughes, Archbishop of New York, had a vision for a new, grandiose Catholic cathedral that would offset the indignities suffered by the Catholics in 19th century New York. They called it Hughes’ folly. Up until the 19th century, New York was a Protestant stronghold with an insignificant Catholic…
Tag: NYC Landmarks
The Flatiron – what’s in the name?
Architect Daniel H. Burnham Date 1902 What better way to advertise a successful company than to have a striking building bear its name! The Fuller Company, one of the largest construction companies in the United States (aka the world), erected a highly unusual building to house its headquarters that was to be called the Fuller…
Grand Central Terminal
Please, do not, under any circumstance, call it a station. It’s a Terminal. Grand Central Terminal was built to house Cornelius Vanderbilt’s railroad network and was envisioned as a gateway to the city. It’s hard to underestimate its grandeur: every day, more than 750,000 people pass through the Grand Central, which is more than the entire…
The Empire State Building – the Eighth Wonder of the World saved by a Hollywood movie
Tallest in the world for 41 years and saved by King Kong… Location: 350 5th Ave between 33rd and 34th StreetsBuilt: 1931Architect: William F. Lamb of Shreve, Lamb & Harmon The first in the world to rise over 100 stories, and constructed in mere 14 months, the Empire State Building stood as the tallest in…
Margaret Bourke-White and the Chrysler
It’s practically impossible not to photograph the Chrysler Building. Most people achieve it standing on the ground, looking up… However, some striking photos were taken from the dizzying heights of the glistening Chrysler crown. While the Chrysler was being erected to be the tallest in the world – a typical requirement for a skyscraper in…
Jefferson Market Library
The striking High Victorian Gothic building doesn’t just look beautiful… it’s certifiably beautiful. In 1885 Jefferson Market was voted as one of the 10 most beautiful buildings in the United States by a national poll of architects! Location: 425 6th Ave Built: 1873-77 Architects: Frederick Clarke Withers and Calvert Vaux Originally known as the Jefferson Market Courthouse,…
The Ansonia
Scandalous and stylish, the Ansonia is a Parisian vision on the streets of New York Location: 2109 Broadway, between West 73rd and West 74th Streets Architect: Paul E. Duboy Built: 1904 Much like people, buildings have faces. The Ansonia is like a beautiful French lady whose Parisian looks and New York proportions make her singularly…
The San Remo
The Aristocrat of Central Park West Location: 145 Central Park West Architect: Emery Roth Built: 1930 The iconic silhouette of San Remo is defined by two soaring towers, creating the most distinct and recognizable view along Central Park West. San Remo, a luxury apartment building designed by Emery Roth, was billed in advertisements as “the Aristocrat…
Oyster Bar
OYSTER BAR Inside Grand Central Terminal, 89 E 42nd St A New York institution serving oysters since 1913. As you enter the room, the first thing you’ll notice is the cave-like multi-arched ceiling laid with interlocking terracotta tiles. They were created by Rafael Guastavino, whose brickwork can also be found in the Municipal Building, at…
City Beautiful Blog 