Sunday, May 31, 2009

Friday, May 29, 2009

Draggin the Line

125th Street Train trestle, Harlem


Thursday, May 28, 2009

Lovers in the Night

Admiral's Row nears the Lot

Admiral's Row, the historic Civil War era Brooklyn buildings that have been left to gently rot into ruin, are about to be turned into a parking lot. Thanks to Melanie for the tip: Gothamist reported today that two buildings are to be saved with the remaining demolished to make way for a badly needed grocery store/parking lot for this lower income neighborhood. I am just thankful that the Brooklyn Navy Yard Development Corporation appears to be preserving two of the houses, if they're good to their word. From Gothamist:

The Municipal Art Society attended a meeting today at which the negotiations between the National Guard, the owner of the property, and the Brooklyn Navy Yard Development Corporation (BNYDC) discussed the future of the buildings at Admiral's Row. The meeting was part of the federally-mandated Section 106 process that requires federal agencies to study the impact of their actions on important historic buildings. Sadly, it seems their minds were made up, the Brooklyn Paper reports that they will save two of the historic buildings in the Brooklyn Navy Yard and destroy the others, making way for a supermarket.

This deal would not guarantee that the buildings (the Timber Shed and building B) would be preserved, rather, ownership would be transferred to the city, who would then "solicit bids from developers to build a supermarket and an industrial building as well as to 'test the market' to rehabilitate and maintain the two crumbling 19th-century structures."

While the city is smiling upon this agreement, MAS (who had their own plans proposed) and other preservationists are not. The former just released the following statement: “MAS appreciates the National Guard’s focus on this issue and the rigorous review it is conducting as part of the Section 106 process. We will continue to work with them to address issues that they have articulated in our effort to preserve more of the buildings. The Brooklyn Navy Yard is seeking to demolish the buildings to create a very large surface parking and we strongly believe that more of the historic buildings could be preserved by reconfiguring their plan.”

Wednesday, May 27, 2009

Drag me to Hell

These ads are all over town. Am I the only one bothered by the graphic imagery and menace portrayed here? Like the Louvin Brothers sang, "Satan is real."

Old Tribeca Pt. 2

Sonn Bros Company Whiskies, Washington Street

Birnbach Radio, GE, Littlefuse
Old dormer windows on West Side Highway

Tuesday, May 26, 2009

Old Tribeca Pt. 1

Before DeNiro's film offices, before Wall Street's uber rich arrived, and even before Dan Akroyd sold the four story tenement he purchased with John Belushi, Tribeca was an industrial neighborhood of warehouses and factories. It was largely leveled to build the Twin Towers in the 70s. But remnants of Tribeca's old soul remains, like this vacant storefront on  Canal (built in 1826 by John G. Rohr, a merchant tailor, who lived with his family in this building between 1830 and 1853.) These scant reminders of yesteryear are surrounded by freshly renovated buildings using their former blue collar glory as a selling point to the well heeled...such as the soap factory apartments nearby.. 
or this sign for a spice company on Watts. 
the Von Kraus warehouse...
and this lovely hand guiding you toward the entrance of a currently closed ground floor storefront...  

Monday, May 18, 2009

Ready for its Closeup

Washington Square Park regulars have been waiting for what seems like two years to get a glimpse at the new fountain. Last night it was up and running for what I think was the first time. So did the many onlookers who expressed surprise. Now if only Bloomie would get his ass downtown to open the west side of the park (and no doubt take credit for it)...and let the east side "renovations" begin.

Clinton Getaway

All NYers must escape. This weekend we journeyed to Clinton, NJ, a cute historic town on the Raritan River.  Old buildings, raffles, a diner full of locals, a hip art museum and a haunted cemetary.... Top shot by galpal.   



Wednesday, May 13, 2009

Tuesday, May 12, 2009

A Seafaring Face

Stars on Manny's Walls

Manny's Music in midtown is the oldest musical instrument store in the city. It's served the greats of showbidness since 1935. Along with guitars, horns and amps, the walls are lined with hundreds of autographed photos that date back to the '40s. Manny's may be closing soon (Rockefeller Center wants to buy the block, which is called Music Row for its many instrument stores) but no one seems to know for sure.
A luminous Carly Simon
Jazz great Jo Jones
Lou Reed, Bob Dylan, Barry Manilow, Steely Dan, The Cars
Bob Hope blows
Led Zeppelin!
Blondie
Whitney, Carly, Mariah
Pete Townsend of the Who, looking like a male model for some inane reason

Monday, May 11, 2009

Chelsea Flatiron

When all else fails, the Flatiron building always gets em!  

Sunday, May 10, 2009

Ken Mac's Mom

A little late, but here's mom, Myra Mac! Circa 1965 with her AMC Rambler (an incredible car) and our dear dog, Pudgie. Mom's still beautiful today, 84 and going strong.

Hoboken train station Pt II

Still a fully active train station, the Lackwanna Line borders the Hudson but is no longer used as a port. On The Waterfront was filmed steps away from here, when Hoboken (and NYC) was a thriving seaport.   



Thursday, May 7, 2009

Hanging in Hoboken

Right across the Hudson, time almost stands still. Above, the old neon of Clam Broth House, a famous Sinatra hang.  
Deco done right!
Habadashery...it ain't the Gap

The famous Lackawanna train station...more tomorrow...