my7 in Gotham, now
I was born here in Manhattan and have called it home ever since. I love the prewar buildings, the bodegas and the neighborhood that I grew up in; the old Fowad store logo and Disc-o-mat record stores, bars and delis were part of my community as I got older. I’m a member of the Facebook groups “Manhattan before 1990” and “Growing Up on the Old Upper West Side” — love them for the memories they bring. Am still a card carrying member of the “i don’t give a shit what you think about whatever I’m doing…” NYC attitude. I played bass for years on Bleecker Street, first at Mills Tavern then at all the rest of the places: Kenny’s, The Red Lion, the Back Fence, the Living Room, the Bitter End till 4am every Tue, Wed, Thurs and Fri, and was in the house band at Studio 10, home of the Yippies. Payed my dues in this town and would never want to be anywhere else.
I just saw a post on Facebook from Vanishing NY about how Prince Lumber will be replaced by the biggest Starbucks this side of Saturn. Outrage…and I get it! No one likes losing their history except people that didn’t live it. I don’t like it ether: I shopped at Prince Lumber when I was a carpenter in the mid 80s. The old places hold special memories for me like they do anyone else. Growing up around Columbia and The West End Cafe in the 70s gave me a very real sense of place and purpose. Skateboarding every day in Central Park during and after high school (never a true Parky, but…) and riding the subways and…I miss walking through the UWS where I spent my 20s and seeing the old places: The Third Phase, The Marlin, Cannon’s…man, good times there.
I remember the rancid smell of blood and avoiding transvestite hookers; NYC in the 70s was a dangerous, scary place but thrilling at the same time.
But I love good modern architecture, too. I love the new construction and architects that are using NYC as a canvas, adding bright and innovative towers to the skyline. For me it started downtown with the gentrification of the Meatpacking District. I remember the rancid smell of blood and avoiding the transvestite hookers; it was a dangerous, scary place but thrilling at the same time, like many parts of the city in the 70s. Now, I see these 20 something kids run around down there innocent of that. And that’s OK. They don’t know and shouldn’t have to. But when I look around at the development I see The Standard Hotel (#1 on my hit list) standing over the High Line and new Whitney Museum (#6). I love that we have invested in great architecture even if it means losing a little bit of NY.
The Rafael Viñoly building (#7) going up in place of Prince Lumber at 61 9th Avenue is stunning and airy from what I can see of the rendering. Who cares about the Starbucks…that will eventually be replaced by another insipid storefront.
There are quite a few new structures that I love going up here in the city. The most unique so far would be on 57th street. “My Pyramid” I call it, to anyone who will listen. Right on the Hudson river, this gem VIA 57WEST (#2) hails from an architecture firm BIG Partners out of Copenhagen. Here is a rendered flyover…it really is stunning.
Coming in number three (#3) is 56 Leonard St with its stacked box floors, askew and random. Some of the floors look like they will tumble down to crash on those below like a failed game of Jenga.
My #4, this bone like structure rising from the WTC site tragedy is Santiago Calatrava’s invention called the Oculus. It arches high above the ground, almost like the bones of a long decomposed departed dinosaur, clawing it’s was to the sun.
Finally, there is another Rafael Viñoly building (#5) over on East 57th that has definitely garnered mixed reviews. Some say it is just a bland nondescript boxlike building, most others are indifferent. What I see is perfect geometry based on the square. The footprint is a square, the windows square, everything is a simple square and unadorned. There is a tranquil simplicity about it rising up to replace the original Trade Centers in my eyes as a Manhattan island landmark that I see when traveling into the city by car from anywhere.
I welcome the conversation around this growth and gleam. I look forward to more of the same while still holding onto the structural history that makes this city great: the Woolworth Building, the Flatiron, and the marching prewars of the Upper West Side. To me, the loss of unique streets catering to New York specialists like the closing of every one of the 48th street music stores (Manny’s, Sam Ash, etc…) is more alarming than the fact a lumber store needs to move to Midtown. Although, I will miss that Prince Lumber logo and crown…I am so conflicted!
Visit us at my7.us and start thinking about your favorite 7 buildings in your hometown. Share your non-disposable story.
Choices matter…/racine
