This is the story of Margot Gayle.

Who Was Margot Gayle

Born in 1908 in Kansas City, MO, Margot spent much of her childhood moving around due to her father’s job as an executive in the auto industry. Gayle didn’t grow up wanting to be a historical preservationist; she actually received a Masters in bacteriology from Emory University, but the Great Depression made it difficult to find a job. So she turned to politics and became an activist through her work. One of her early accomplishments was fighting to get the Georgia poll tax repealed. She was so passionate about the cause that many dubbed her “Poll Tax Margot.” 

Gayle moved to New York with her husband (divorced in 1957) and two daughters, where they lived in Greenwich Village. In New York, she continued to be involved in political activism, even running for City Council in 1957. It was through her work in politics, however, that she found her true calling: historical preservation. 

Jefferson Market Courthouse  

Located at 425 Avenue of the Americas, the Jefferson Market Courthouse – an iconic Victorian Gothic structure built in the late 1800s – was around the corner from Margot Gayle’s Greenwich Village apartment and from the notorious New York Women’s House of Detention. One of the most defining characteristics of the red brick structure was its spire-like clock tower. It was used as a courthouse until 1945, after which it sat vacant, the future of the historic building uncertain. In the late 1950s, rumors that the courthouse was for sale and in danger of being torn down prompted Margot Gayle to take action. 

With the help of friends and colleagues, Gayle formed the Village Neighborhood Committee. One of the organization’s first orders of business was to get the long-frozen clock ticking again, with the hope that it would raise awareness. It did just that. Next, the committee set out to ensure that the building itself could be preseved. A successful campaign to have the former courthouse converted into a public library sealed the deal. In 1961, the New York Public Library agreed to take over the structure, and in 1977 it was declared a National Historic Landmark. 

Reflecting on her work saving the Jefferson Market Courthouse, Gayle said in an interview with the Greenwich Village Society for Historic Preservation, “It was ‘act soon or lose it.’ There was no precedent for what we were doing, and there was very little community feeling about saving old buildings, so we couldn’t really use that. We just used every tool at hand and worked fast to keep the building from being auctioned off, really. I really am amazed to think how close that building came to being gone.”

The Jefferson Market Library is in full operation today. 

Formation of the Victorian Society 

The Jefferson Market Courthouse may have been Margot Gayle’s first big win, but it was hardly her last. In the 1950s and 60s in New York, the demolition of historic masterpieces to make way for modernization was plaguing the city. It was activists who saved some of NYC’s most iconic NYC fixtures – notably, Jane Jacobs’ successful 1958 battle to stop Robert Moses from building a highway through Washington Square Park. 

Unfortunately, not all could be saved. In 1963, the original Pennsylvania Station was demolished to make way for Madison Square Garden. Renowned for its beauty, the original structure was considered “the architectural embodiment of New York’s vaulted ambition and open arms.” Its demolition was devastating to residents.

Determined to ensure other historic cast-iron structures would not meet the same fate as Penn Station, in 1966, Gayle, in conjunction with historic preservationists Brendan Gill and Henry-Russell Hitchcock, founded the Victorian Society in America. Still in existence today, the Victorian Society is committed to “historic preservation, protection, understanding, education, and enjoyment of our nineteenth-century heritage.” The organization fulfills its promise through architectural tours, publications, and summer schools dedicated to educating interested parties on architecture, art, and preservation.   

Friends of Cast Iron Architecture 

The Victorian Society was not the only preservation organization that Margot Gayle helped create. In 1968, she attended a Victorian Society symposium during which she learned about the significance of cast iron buildings in New York and that they were largely unprotected. Inspired and enraged, Gayle made it her mission to fight for their survival. 

On March 18th, 1970, Gayle formed the Friends of Cast-Iron Architecture. The group’s goal was to “preserve structures such as cast-iron buildings, cemetery ironwork, and iron fountains – both nationally and internationally.” By raising awareness about the significance of cast-iron architecture in America, the organization has successfully prevented the majority of cast-iron structures from being demolished. It was through the Friends of Cast-Iron Architecture that Gayle was able to fight out one of her most consequential and important preservation battles.  

SoHo Cast-Iron District 

In the late 60s and early 70s, urban renewal in New York was the name of the game, and SoHo was under imminent threat. In 1969, the area faced the danger of demolition to make way for the LOMEX – Lower Manhattan Expressway – an elevated highway that would connect the Hudson to the East River. Thanks to outcry from residents, artists, and activists like Gayle, the project was halted permanently in 1969.  

Though the area was safe from an expressway, preservationists craved security to ensure the neighborhood would also be spared from modernization. Over the next few years, Gayle and the Friends of Cast-Iron Architecture worked tirelessly to get the area designated as the SoHo Cast-Iron District. Her partners in crime were the artists who called the area both home and work (the “SoHo model” has gone on to serve as an example for mixed-use artist spaces). Their joint efforts paid off in 1973, when SoHo received a Cast-Iron District designation from the Landmarks Preservation Commission, thereby protecting the historic architecture from demolition. 

Today, with rents higher than the buildings themselves (average rent for a one-bedroom is 4,650 according to RentHop), SoHo is hardly a haven for artists looking for a studio to work and live in. It has transformed into a glamorous shopping, eating, and working destination – likely in part, due to the district’s unique architecture. Much like the Jefferson Market Courthouse, by preserving the bones of the buildings, SoHo had the chance to change with the times while holding onto its history. And that is thanks to Margot Gayle.  

Ms. Gayle died in 2008, but her work will be remembered forever. On her passion for preservation, she once said: “If one person really puts his mind to something and can inspire a whole group around him, it’s amazing in this complicated world what can be achieved. How do you like that?” 

We like it very much, Margot. 

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Staten Island 

#1. The Staten Island Boat Graveyard

The Arthur Kill waterway hides a ghastly secret beneath its waters, and some of those secrets are still worth discovering for visitors to Staten Island’s Tugboat Graveyard. Twisted wood planks and metal spires reach from the waves as the last remnants of more than 200 ships that were “put to rest” here since the 1930s. Part of the ships have sunken, decomposed or even been stripped for their metals and sold, leaving this eerie field of wreckages and a sordid reminder of the environmental results of industry. This “accidental museum” is a bit of a trek though, and as it’s a 13-mile bus ride from the Staten Island Ferry, these murky depths are reserved for only the most determined of dark tourists. 

#2. Staten Island Museum

While the scenic Staten Island Ferry gets plenty of well-deserved love, The Staten Island Museum at Snug Harbor, founded in 1881, is another icon of the Forgotten Borough that shouldn’t be missed. The museum is dedicated to the heritage of Staten Island and features paintings by Marc Changal, work from Asia, Africa, Indigenous America and Europe, as well as over 500,000 insects, if that’s your thing. Welcoming over 200,000 people each year, this former dormitory for retired seamen has been converted into one of the premiere natural history, art and cultural museums in the city. It’s well-worth the bargain as well, tickets start at $2 for Children 2 to 12 up to $8 for adults, (Children under 2 get in free).

#3. Fort Wadsworth

One of the oldest military installations in the nation, tracing its initial foundation back to 1779, midway through the American Revolution. Originally inhabited by the British, it was one of the forts fortified by U.S. forces following the war along with others like Fort Lafayette in Brooklyn, Fort Jay on Governors Island and Fort Gibson on Ellis Island; otherwise known as the Second American System of coastal defense. The Fort also served as a base of operations for soldiers during the Spanish American War, World War I and World war II before being turned into a national park in 1994 by the US Navy. Beyond the fort itself, the park is available for camping, fishing, and hiking in addition to horseback riding, boating and access to sporting facilities. 

Manhattan Destinations

#1. The Cloisters

The Met Cloisters, found in upper Manhattan and situated in Lenapehoking, homeland of the Lenape diaspora, is a medieval-style building that is just under 90 years old. Designed by Charles Collen and funded by none other than John D Rockefeller, the building was built atop and around the original museum built there by George Grey Barnard, a sculpture artist trained in France. The location is built to be reminiscent of medieval European monasteries, churches, castles and other structures into a coherent museum of architecture, horticulture and art. Tapestries, paintings, sculptures, artifacts and several flower gardens make this location an eclectic and exciting visit, with something for everyone just a short walk from the 1 or the A. In addition to their permanent installation, the museum is host to ongoing and rotating exhibits, such as the current Hear Me Now: The Black Potters of Old Edgefield, South Carolina or the upcoming exhibition on Afro-Hispanic Painter Juan de Pareja. Tickets are pay-what-you-want for NY residents and students from New Jersey, and Connecticut as well.

#2. Little Island 

After opening in May 2021, Little Island is a new public park and part of Hudson River Park, built atop an artificial “island” more than two square acres large. Offering an abundance of free programming, including educational, natural, artistic, and community projects, the park saw over 1 million visitors in its opening year, usually filling to capacity before noon, so if you plan a visit, make sure you have a timed-ticket if you plan on visiting later in the day. With two performance venues featuring work by one of their multiple artists-in-residence (such as the fantastic playwright Tina Landau and actor Michael McElroy), and over 350 species of plants, the park is more than worth a visit for nature and entertainment lovers alike. Weather permitting, the park, free to the public, is open 365 days a year from 6am and closes at a different time depending on time of season; so plan your visit accordingly! 

#3. The High Line

A public park located on the West Side of Manhattan, the High Line is also a nonprofit organization that offers tours, art performances, and food along with a one-of-a-kind NYC tourism experience. Built on an elevated rail line and sanctioned as a park in 2006 by Mayor Bloomberg and the City council, the high line is an excellent example of urban refurbishment, taking what had been an eyesore of a defunct rail line and turning it into a cultural center and metropolitan getaway. Take a stroll from Gansevoort Street to 34th street, a 1.45-mile stretch that allows one to view 10th and 12th avenue from a wheelchair-accessible platform above the city. There’s no shortage of activities near and on the high line, including amateur trapeze flying, swimming at the Chelsea pier, and visiting the Whitney Museum of Art.

Year-Round Fun in The Bronx

#1. New York Botanical Garden

An “Advocate for the plant world”, the New York Botanical garden was established in 1891 and takes up more than 250 acres of space, making it the largest in any city in the U.S. A National Historic Landmark, the garden features over 30,000 types of trees and hosts 100 Ph. D-level scientists currently engaged in 250 international collaborations in 49 countries! Committed to preserving and protecting New York and the world’s biodiversity, NYBG is an excellent chance to see a wide diversity of plants and flowers while also learning about the rich history and wide importance of horticulture. Activities include the family-friendly Edible Academy, The Wetland Train and the dining at Hudson Garden Grill.  Tickets for New York City residents start at $7 for students and seniors, while non-member adults will pay $15. Children and members get in free.

#2. Edgar Allan Poe Cottage

Quoth The Raven, the poet and author Edgar Allen Poe, famous for works such as The Tell-Tale Heart, Lenore and The Fall of the House of Usher, lived in The Bronx from 1846 to 1849, when he died under mysterious circumstances. While he wrote “The Raven” at a previous home in Manhattan, Poe, a Boston native, wrote several of his most famous poems while at this location, including The Bells, Annabel Lee and his short story, The Cask of Amontillado. The Poe Cottage is now a historic landmark and is on the National Register of Historic places, owned by NYC and run as a museum, open Friday through Sunday from 9am to 12pm and then from 1pm to 5pm. Just be wary of still-beating hearts beneath the floorboards! 

#3. The Bronx Zoo

Taking up more than 265 acres of space, the Bronx Zoo offers unparalleled opportunities to get up and close with wildlife in New York City, not counting pigeons of course. Opening in 1899, the Bronx Zoo houses over 4000 animals representing more than 650 species. Highlights include The Congo Gorilla Forest, Tiger Mountain, and the Aquatic Bird House & Sea-Bird Aviary. They even offer a seasonal Butterfly Garden experience, from April through October, where one can interact with the butterflies directly and get to know other animals in their biome. Date-Specific tickets are required, and parking can fill to capacity on peak attendance days so an alternate mode of travel is suggested during especially busy periods such as holidays.

Queens Destinations

#1. MoMA PS1

MoMa PS1 (or the Museum of Modern Art) was founded by Alanna Heiss, who now serves as curator, in 1976, and has been a powerhouse of contemporary art and culture in Queens ever since. MoMA PS1 is an artist-centered, community driven organization that hosts a wide variety of programming, such as the ongoing After The Fire mural project, or the upcoming dance / performance art project by London’s Onyeka Igwe, A Repertoire of Protest (No Dance, No Palaver). Best of all, admission is free to all New Yorkers; so be sure to check out the campus from time to time to see some of their ever-changing selection of exhibits and events. 

#2. Astoria Park

Featuring the oldest and largest pool in the city, Astoria park sits on the edge of the East River and takes up nearly 60 acres of land. Originally called William J. Gaynor park after the mayor at the time, and then East River Park, the Board of Alderman officially named the park “Astoria” in 1913. Located beneath the Robert F. Kennedy and Hell Gate Bridges in Queens, the park also features over a dozen tennis courts, several playgrounds, and a skatepark. The pool is, however seasonal, it’s open only whenever the New York City public school season is not in session, so mostly over the summer, although you can check the website for more specific dates yearly.  Also, note you’ll need to bring a combination lock for a locker, and food, glass bottles, electronic devices, and newspapers aren’t allowed in the pool; so you’ll need to leave those at home. 

#3. Louis Armstrong House Museum

After the passing of her husband, famed jazz musician and civil-rights legend Louis Armstrong, the late Lucille Armstrong stayed at their home on 107th Street in Corona, Queens working to preserve his legacy. This effort has resulted in The Louis Armstrong House Museum (LAHM), a National and New York Historic Landmark that holds exclusive archival material, private recordings, and other documentation on the life of the musician, along with live music performances and other programming. The house is open Thursday through Saturday only and has limited hours, so it’s important to schedule ahead to make sure to make the most of your experience, but once there be sure to take part in one of the daily guided tours that walk you through this piece of music history, “frozen in time”. 

Brooklyn Locations To Visit

#1. Brooklyn Academy of Music (BAM)

Located in North Brooklyn, the Brooklyn Academy of Music has been a home for performance and art for over 150 years. With programming in theatre, dance, music, film and opera, there’s always something to see or do on the beautiful campus. A quick glance at their extensive calendar of events you’ll see how live installations are often placed alongside current films and live performances, making a day-long visit to BAM well worth the trip. With three separate venues, The Peter Jay Sharp Building, BAM Fisher and BAM Strong, there’s always plenty to see, and membership offers access to even more advantages and art. The work at BAM is often critically acclaimed and world-renowned, cementing it as an underground incubator of important new work and a showroom for the avant-garde. 

#2. Brooklyn Bridge Park

While the Brooklyn Bridge is an obvious choice for tourism when visiting New York City, the crowds and traffic constantly crossing the structure may make viewing it difficult from the walkway. For a different vantage point, another choice may be the Brooklyn Bridge Park which offers a stellar view of the bridge, and is a bit of an open secret amongst locals for its out-of-the way vistas, expansive piers filled with activities and programming, as well as a waterfront park. From the labyrinth on Pier 3, to the famous outdoor Jane’s Carousel, to the glamorous Empire Stores, the park has year-long activities perfect for anyone looking for a quiet stroll, a brisk kayak trip, or a casual throwdown at the ping-pong tables.

#3. Coney Island

The last stop at the bottom of the Q Train will take you to one of the most historic and iconic summer getaways in the city. From the boardwalk and amusement park rides, to the long hot beach, Coney Island is synonymous with New York Summer fun, and has been a staple in the city since 1895 when the first enclosed amusement park opened in the area. Some track the invention of the Roller Coaster back to 1884 Coney Island and LaMarcus Adna Thompson, where he built his gravity-based “Switchback railway” which would become the foundation for our modern rides. Some of Coney Island’s current featured attractions include the Coney Island Circus Sideshow, Deno’s Wonder Wheel Amusement Park and the New York Aquarium. Coney Island is also a famous filming location in New York City, with movies such as The Wiz, The Warriors and Requiem for a Dream filming on or near the beach.

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What to Eat in Hudson Yards

 

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Wild Ink ($$)

This Asian-American restaurant offers seasonal dishes inspired by the international travels of its chefs. They serve everything from sushi to dim sum, and they even have live music that guests can enjoy with their meals. Fancy, but not fussy, this place is perfect for casual date nights or a hangout with friends.

Electric Lemon ($$$)

Known for its amazing brunch menu, this place serves up delicious omelets, pastries, and goodies made from clean ingredients sourced from local farmers, artisans, and growers. They have specific menus for the holidays like Thanksgiving, Christmas, and New Year. This establishment is ideal for celebrations like birthdays and anniversaries.

Hudson Yards Grill ($$)

This good ole fashioned American restaurant has some upscale twists to it. Their cocktail menu has some truly unique items, and their plates are colorful and delicious. This restaurant even has rooms for private events and parties. This place is the epitome of contemporary American cuisine: rustic yet classy.

Estiatorio Milos ($$$$)

This Mediterranean restaurant is one of the best in the city, especially when it comes to its raw bar. This place is full of seafood experts and fresh ingredients, guaranteeing a delicious meal for those who choose to dine here. The meals in this establishment are a work of art, and every bite demands to be savored.

Queensyard ($$$)

This contemporary restaurant serves a mixture of American and English cuisine. The secret garden they have is perfect for a casual drink, while the main restaurant space is ideal for a cozy meal with close friends and family. The food here is amazing, with favorites like grilled octopus and lamb porterhouse.

Leña at Mercado Little Spain ($$$)

This Spanish restaurant is cozy and full of delicious foods like their famous paella de gamba roja and pollo a la brasa. The vibe of this restaurant is bright, so much so that having a bad time here is nearly impossible. Part of the Little Spain family, this restaurant specializes in grilled foods, making this a delicious spot for lunch or dinner.

Spanish Diner at Mercado Little Spain ($$)

Another member of the Little Spain family, this place is a bit more casual than the other restaurants mentioned on this list. That said, the food found here will warm any heart, as the menu is filled with decadent comfort foods. Specializing in breakfast food, this place is perfect for seeking a more relaxed atmosphere or a quick bite before they get back to work.

Bars of Hudson Yards

 

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The Bronx Brewery ($$)

One of the most famous breweries in the city, Bronx Brewery has opened a location at Hudson Yards, bringing the party to a new part of Manhattan. The taproom is attached to a specialty kitchen that serves up cast-iron skillet nachos. This, along with the great drinks and fun vibe, make this establishment one of the most fun places in Hudson Yards.

Ana Bar and Eatery ($$)

This bar/café/restaurant is perfect for those seeking a quick bite or a drink before an event. Their cocktail menu is sprawling, and they serve delicious and healthy food to go alongside it. Even their pizzas are loaded with veggies, making this place a refreshing alternative to the fine dining establishments in Hudson Yards.

Bar Celona ($$$)

This cocktail bar can be found in Little Spain, and is full of fun cocktails that will make anyone’s taste buds go wild. They have entire sections on their menu for gin, sangria, and vermouth, all of which make for some amazing cocktails. They also serve food straight from the Leña kitchen, so guests can snack while they drink.

Peak ($$$)

This bar and restaurant has three separate spaces, each with different functions. Peak is the main restaurant, where diners can enjoy upscale meals with a cocktail. Peak Lounge is a lowkey bar with specialty drinks just waiting to be tried. Peekaboo is the party space, with live music, great drinks, and a ton of dancing.

Vino Wine Bar ($$)

This wine bar has a huge selection, great prices, and a beautiful atmosphere. Part of the Little Spain family, this establishment is rather cozy, perfect for a quiet date night or catch-up with friends. Serving mostly Spanish wines, these bottles will make a great impression, even on those who don’t know much about wine.

Shopping in Hudson Yards

Ana Wine and Spirits

Part of the Ana family, this wine shop is a bit more upscale. They have regular tastings and events that can really pack in the customers, as well as special gift boxes featuring all kinds of delicious drinks. Some of the wines served here are extremely rare and from all over the world, making this one of the best wine stores in the city.

Beyond the Edge

Though it might be a gift shop, this place is rather upscale, selling fashionable clothing items alongside games, mugs, and more. Those who shop here can find just about anything, and it’s a great place to look for goods that can’t be found in other stores. Their selection of items changes often, so be sure to visit them more than once.

The Conservatory

This clothing and beauty store has everything from men’s and women’s clothes to make-up. This store works with famous and up-and-coming brands to provide customers with a wide range of items at a price that’s hard to match. This store doesn’t just sell clothes. They help customers cultivate an entire look and style all their own.

TAFT

For those seeking stylish, functional, and sturdy shoes, look no further than TAFT. These shoes come from all over the world with unique, yet subtle designs that will impress without being too loud. Each pair of these shoes is a work of art, and will last a long time. Perfect for any occasion, this footwear brand is perfect for any New Yorker.

PIQ

Children need a fun place to shop too, and PIQ is the perfect place to do just that. This toy store has a ton of plushies, stuffed animals, and games that are perfect for children. They even have some fun gifts for adults too, making this a great stop for anyone visiting the city. This unique store is sure to make people smile.

Experiences in Hudson Yards

Avant Gallery

This art gallery is a great addition to Hudson Yards. It showcases multiple different artistic mediums from both famous and emerging artists. There are regular auctions for these pieces, making this a great place to buy new pieces for a personal collection or as a gift. This gallery has a lot to see, and changes exhibits regularly.

City Climb

For those who have an adventurous spirit, City Climb is one of the ultimate adrenaline rushes that can be found in NYC. Guests climb a 1,200-foot tall skyscraper, making this the highest open-air building ascent open to the public. This climb is not for the faint of heart, so guests should build up the courage needed to tackle this challenge.

Vessel

Though climbing the structure is temporarily closed, this sculpture is still a sight to behold. This work of art makes Hudson Yards stand out amongst other neighborhoods in the city, as this behemoth art installation towers as tall as a building. This beautiful structure can be seen from all over the city, and is a wonderful addition to its skyline.

The Shed

This arts center has already garnered extreme acclaim by the people who frequent it. Putting on some of the best concerts, performance art, and galleries this city has ever seen, this amazing venue highlights the importance of art to NYC and to the world. The Shed always has something going on, so be sure to check it out.

The High Line

Though it may start at 14th Street, this freight line turned park ends at Hudson Yards, meaning folks can enjoy a nice walk and end their day with a meal, cocktail, or shopping experience. The High Line is full of fun activities and even some food vendors, making it a delightful place to visit, especially during a nice sunset.

Hudson Yards might be a new neighborhood, but it’s already cemented its place in NYC. With a ton of places to eat, drink, shop, and explore, it’s no wonder this area gets thousands of visitors every week. The people who live here love it too, as they live in an epicenter of art, cuisine, and culture. Hudson Yards is an amazing place, and there’s still more to come from this brand new neighborhood. 

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At 1,454 feet tall from foundation to antenna, the iconic 102-story building punctures the clouds, defines the New York City skyline, and towers over residents and buildings alike. Though only 91 years old, the Empire State Building is integral to the legacy and the history of Manhattan. The building has stood as a beacon of hope through the city’s darkest days, from the Great Depression to the September 11th attacks on the World Trade Center. It has served as a stage for television and film’s greatest moments, from Sleepless in Seattle to King Kong. It is a sight at which tourists marvel, and was even the site where Marvel comics were born. It is a tower with personality, a love for Taylor Swift, and allegedly a ghost or two. It is a building that is so much more than just a building. 

So where did it all begin? 

Who Built The Empire State Building? Breaking Ground

The story of the Empire State Building begins far before the structure itself. Even the land on which it was built is significant. 

Located at 20 W. 34th Street, the Art-Deco masterpiece stands in what today is considered Midtown Manhattan. In the late 1700s, however, the neighborhood was quite different. Rather than a bustling metropolis, it was the idyllic farm of John and Mary Murray and is said to be the site where George Washington’s troops retreated to after the battle of Kips Bay during the Revolutionary War. The Murray family has had an extensive impact on New York City, from the naming of Murray Hill to the creation of the New York City Public School System (by way of John Murray Jr.’s Free School Society in the early 1800s) to being the owners of the land that would one day host the Empire State Building. 

The Murray family sold the land to William Waldorf Astor in 1826; he would open the Waldorf Hotel at the site in 1893. In 1897, Waldorf’s cousin, John Jacob Astor IV, opened the Astoria Hotel next door. The two hotels soon consolidated to become the Waldorf-Astoria and would make headlines as the largest hotel in the world at the time. Despite its reputation as a “must-stay,” however, by the 1920s, much of New York’s elite had moved uptown, and so the hotel followed suit, relocating to 301 Park Avenue, where the Waldorf-Astoria still stands today. The original lot was sold to the Bethlehem Engineering Corporation in 1928, and the grand hotel was demolished to make room for something new. 

That “something new” was initially going to be a 50-story office building, but the Bethlehem Engineering Corporation defaulted on a bank loan, and the land was re-sold before anything could be done. The new owners were the investment group “Empire State Inc.,” a cohort of elite New Yorkers joined by former New York Governor and 1928 Democratic Presidential Candidate Alfred E. Smith. The group purchased nearby land to ensure they had the two acres needed for their building’s base, and in August of 1929, Al Smith – who had been chosen to head up the corporation – announced the group’s ambitious plan: Empire State Inc. would build “an 80-story building on the site, to be taller than any other buildings in existence.” 

How Old Is The Empire State Building

The boom years of the late 1920s saw an explosion of commercial buildings rise up in Manhattan as developers raced to get in on what was, at the time, a roaring and healthy economy. According to Robert Slayton’s Empire Statesman: The Rise and Redemption of Al Smith, “office space in New York had increased 51% from 1920 to 1930.” But for the elite real estate developers, it wasn’t enough to fill a skyscraper to capacity– their office building had to be the tallest one in the sky. 

At the time that Empire State Inc. announced their building plans, two other structures posed massive competition – the Woolworth Building, clocking in at 792 feet, and the Chrysler Building, taking the crown at 1,046 high. For John Jacob Raskob, former Vice President of General Motors and the mastermind behind the Empire State Building, these were the buildings to beat, and nothing would stop his tower from reaching new heights. His structure would be a “monument to the future” and an “inspiration for the poor in a nation that reached for the sky with its feet on the ground.” At least, that’s what he pitched to investors in early October of 1929. 

Unfortunately for Raskob, the future of the nation would turn bleak mere days later. On October 24th, a date otherwise known as “Black Thursday,” the stock market crashed, the banks failed, companies went belly-up, and the country would soon be plunged into the Great Depression. In the blink of an eye, the Roaring Twenties came to a screeching halt. 

When Was The Empire State Building Built?

Interestingly, this did not deter the Empire State group. On March 17th, 1930, construction on the Empire State Building officially began. According to the Empire State Building’s website, under the direction of “architects Shreve, Lamb & Harmon Associates and builders Starrett Bros. & Eken, the framework rises 4 ½ stories per week.” Despite the crumbling economy, the race to build the tallest building in the world was charging full steam ahead. The project even managed to create jobs in a time when unemployment rates were rapidly rising; 3,439 workers were employed during the one year and 45 days it took to build.

A Steel Boned Masterpiece 

The Empire State Building was a modern marvel and notable for its innovations in structural engineering. At the time of its construction, it was thought impossible to build a tower taller than 100 stories. To achieve the unachievable, architects Shreve, Lamb and Harmon Associates elected to use a steel frame for the basic construction technique. The frame was built by ironworkers whom many dubbed “Daredevil Boys.” The workers were fearless, balancing on narrow beams hundreds of feet in the air, swinging on cables, often only with the support of a very basic harness. 

Official accounts report that five workers died during the construction of the building. Some sources offer contradictory (and higher) numbers. Regardless of the actual count, the deaths go to show that this work was dangerous; construction work in 1930 did not have the same safety guardrails and protections keeping workers alive today. 

The building is considered an Art Deco masterpiece. Its strong steel bones are covered in limestone and granite with accents of aluminum. These materials, combined with recessed windows and a streamlined facade, are some of the defining markers of the Art Deco style. The building’s interior is just as notable; the lobby features a gold and aluminum mural on the ceiling, designed as an homage to the mechanical age. Above the entrance inside of the building, three medallions honor the craftsmen who built the tower, and the building trades used to complete the structure at the time of its construction. 

Though the building itself is a guidepost of the Art Deco style, the unmistakable pencil shape is actually in part due to a 1916 zoning law. The ordinance established rules on a building’s mass as it grew, meaning that the taller a building was, the farther it had to be set back from its lot line. The result was a style known as the “setback-and-tower style,” which both the Empire State Building and the Chrysler Building are famous for. 

The Empire State Building’s famous spire, too, has an interesting origin. One of Al Smith’s initial plans for the building was to build a “mooring mast” for dirigibles (airships) to dock. The idea was that passengers would exit the airship “down a gangplank, and a mere seven minutes later could be on the street.” This plan never came to fruition due to its impracticability, as gusty winds made docking impossible. However, the mast remained, serving as a reminder of what could have been and giving the Empire State Building its impressive and (at the time) record-breaking height. 

On May 1st, 1931, the Empire State Building officially opened. President Herbert Hoover pressed a button from his office in the White House, and the lights to the building turned on. Al Smith’s grandchildren cut a ribbon in the building lobby, invited guests attended a dedication ceremony on the observation deck, onlookers gawked from the street. For both New York and the country as a whole, it was a day of celebration in a period of despair. 

Many saw the construction and completion of the Empire State Building as a sign of hope for the beleaguered city, which American financier Bernard Baruch called “the symbolic capital of the Depression.” To build a 102-story building was an engineering feat in and of itself; to do so in the middle of the worst economic crisis in the country’s history was unfathomable. 

Empty Chairs in Empty Offices 

From the day it opened, the observation deck on the 86th floor of the Empire State Building brought in tourists eager to view the city from the sky. Retailers, too, were eager to secure a spot in New York City’s tallest building from the get-go. Despite the economic hardships of the Great Depression, only 12 of the 224 storefronts were unoccupied when the Empire State Building opened in 1931. 

Unfortunately, office spaces – the bulk of the building’s space and income – were harder to fill. Only 23% of the office space in its first year was rented. The majority of the tenants were friends, family, or business associates of Raskob, Smith, and other members of the Empire State group. Even Al Smith’s dentist moved his offices to the building; he would stay there for many years to come. Add in some garment makers and the offices of the New York World’s Fair, and that makes up the bulk of the tenants in the early years. 

86 nearly unoccupied floors of office space is not a good look for a brand-new building. To give the appearance of vacancy, the lights were continuously left on, even in the unrented spaces. Unfortunately, the ruse wasn’t enough to convince onlookers of a bustling building – New Yorkers soon dubbed it the “Empty State Building.” 

Much of the Empire State Building’s early occupancy issues were due to the economic conditions and a slow market. Interestingly, the pandemic years saw a similar conundrum. 

Pre-2020, office space in New York City was at a premium, and developers couldn’t build fast enough. The ambitious $25 billion Hudson Yards project, aimed at revitalizing the area between Chelsea and Hell’s Kitchen, rolled out “Phase 1” in March 2019, which included a hotel, retail spaces, and ample office space. One year later, the COVID-19 pandemic sent workers home and permanently changed how employees interact with the workplace. In May 2020, the Financial Times called the development a “ghost town.” The vision of a bustling mini-metropolis within Manhattan faded as Hudson Yards struggled to fill its offices (and retain retailers designed to serve commuters). Though employees have trickled back to the office and a semblance of commuter culture has returned, as of September 2022, Hudson Yards still sat at a 37% vacancy rate. 

The Empire State Building, too, was affected by the pandemic. Though many seem to be returning to the office, the adoption of the hybrid mode of work has impacted office rentals, retailers, and tourism alike. For example: in the second quarter of 2021, the 86th-floor observatory saw 162,000 visitors, 83% less than the one million tourists recorded during the second quarter of 2019. Though both tourism and return-to-office numbers have steadily risen since 2021 – the building reported 573,000 visitors in the second quarter of 2022 – it’s clear that the Empire State Building still has a ways to go before reaching pre-pandemic boom numbers. 

The lesson? No matter how impressive the development, timing is everything. Whether it’s 1931 or 2020, macroeconomic conditions greatly affect the success of a building. 

Empire State on the Up and Up

Despite a rocky first few years for office occupancy, the Empire State Building soon found its footing as both a cultural and economic icon. Though the owners did not make a profit on the building until the 1950s, by the 1940s, the building was 98% occupied. One notable tenant of the 1940s was Timely Comics, the comic book arm of American publisher Martin Goodman. It was in the Empire State Building that Goodman published the superhero stories which would eventually evolve into what is known as Marvel today. 

The building steadily increased occupancy and gained notoriety throughout the 1930s and 1940s. However, there were two markers in the building’s early years that put it on the map as one of the most famous landmarks in New York City.  

Height of the Empire State Building 

From the moment it was completed in 1931, the Empire State Building claimed the title of “the tallest skyscraper in the world.” This title was held for 42 years, likely in part due to the onset of the Great Depression and the Second World War. In 1972, the World Trade Center’s North Tower surpassed the Empire State Building in height and took the title of the world’s tallest skyscraper. By the early 2000s, several other structures had surpassed both the Empire State Building and the World Trade Center for the title of tallest building in the world. After the September 11th attacks, the Empire State Building was once considered the tallest building in New York City; it kept this title until the erection of One World Trade in 2012. 

That the Empire State Building was able to market itself as “the world’s tallest skyscraper” from 1931 – 1972 did a lot for its success. The title afforded both tenants and the building a certain cache. Who wouldn’t want to say that their office building is so big it has its own zip code? 

KING KONG Filming and the Sale of the Empire State Building

On March 7th, 1933, the building received another legendary bit of marketing, this one by way of a giant gorilla-like beast on the loose from Skull Island. In the climax of the film, King Kong scales the Empire State Building, terrorizing New York City from 102 floors up, before falling to his death. It’s fitting that the film, which has been lauded for its groundbreaking use of special effects, used a building that was, at the time, a major achievement and pioneer in structural engineering. 

Both King Kong and the “world’s tallest building” title cemented the Empire State Building’s place in the concrete jungle. To this day, it remains one of the most iconic markers of Manhattan.    

Unfortunately, increased occupancy and building fame were not enough for Raskob, who listed it for sale in 1951. Purchased for $51 million, it was the highest price ever paid for a single structure at the time. The building would break its own record ten years later in 1961, when it was again sold at the new highest price paid for a single structure, this time for $65 million. Today the building is owned by the Empire State Realty Trust, a publicly traded real estate company.  

No matter the owner, the legacy of the Empire State Building is not going anywhere. On May 19th, 1981 the building was awarded Landmark Status from the New York City Preservation Commission. It has become the gold standard when describing the height and length of other structures globally. And in 1994, it was named one of the Seven Wonders of the Modern World by the American Society of Civil Engineers. 

Lore and Legends of the Empire State Building

With every icon comes a good amount of gossip, noteworthy people, and… ghosts. The Empire State Building is no different. 

The Ghost of Evelyn Francis McHale

On May 1st, 1947 – exactly 16 years after the Empire State Building opened – 23-year-old Evelyn Francis McHale jumped to her death from the 86th Floor observatory. She landed on the roof of a United Nations limousine. Her death, which was captured by photography student Robert C. Wiles, was dubbed “The Most Beautiful Suicide” by Life Magazine. The photo of McHale was a sensation, even used by Andy Warhol in one of his prints. 

Rumor has it that McHale’s ghost still haunts the 86th-floor observation deck. An account from Gawker reports: “tourists at the Empire State Building spot a beautiful woman, dressed in ‘40s-style clothing, face streaked with tears, on the observation deck. They watch in horror as she jumps to her death, only to find… She was already dead.” 

The Seance of 1932

In the early days of (un)occupancy, the building’s desperate owners were willing to do anything in order to get their offices filled. That included a seance to contact the ghost of Thomas Edison. Led by a medium on the 82nd floor, the event was mainly a publicity stunt in hopes of drawing in more renters. 

Death By Penny? 

A famous urban myth about the Empire State Building is that “if one drops a penny off the top of the Empire State Building, it could kill someone or put a crater in the pavement.” In 2003, popular TV show Mythbusters put the theory to a test. Ultimately the myth was busted after the conclusion that a penny “cannot gain enough velocity to inflict lethal injury or put a crater into the pavement.” This did not, however, deter the Broadway musical Avenue Q from using the urban myth as a joke. In the musical, a character drops a penny off the side of the Empire State Building and inadvertently hits her rival, sending her into a coma! 

Paging Walter Hobbs

The Empire State Building makes a major appearance in the 2003 Christmas movie Elf. Chaos is wrecked upon the office of naughty book publisher Walter Hobbs, played by the late James Caan, when Buddy the Elf visits his father at work. The building is Buddy’s guiding light as he traverses from the North Pole to New York City, following a shaker globe with the building at the center. Not surprising that a Christmas Elf took such a liking to the building; though the design was actually made to reflect a pencil, if one were to press all of the elevator buttons at once, it bears a striking resemblance to a Christmas tree. 

TikTok and Taylor Swift 

In recent years, the Empire State Building has developed an impressive presence on TikTok. The building’s account often goes viral for making fun of other skyscrapers in New York City, making videos with celebrities, and its apparent love of Taylor Swift. On the night before the release of her highly anticipated re-recorded Red album in November of 2021, the building turned its lights red, and the corresponding TikTok got over 7 million views. 

Currently, the Empire State Building’s Tik Tok is run by two “Besties” who publish Gen Z-targeted content and personify the landmark to create major drama between nearby buildings and competing observatories such as The Edge.

@empirestatebldg WE RUN THIS CITY #empirestatebuilding #nyc #newyork #besties ♬ original sound – Random Memes and Stuff

Sleepless in Seattle

Lots of movies, TV shows, and novels have used the infamous observation deck as part of their story. Perhaps the most iconic, however, is Sleepless in Seattle. It’s the spot where star crossed lovers Annie Reed (Meg Ryan) and Sam Baldwin (Tom Hanks) finally meet to confess their feelings for each other on Valentines Day. Annie’s character (and the film’s writer, Norah Ephron) was inspired by the 1957 romance film An Affair to Remember. 

Unfortunately, in the latter lovers Nickie Ferrante (Cary Grant) and Terry McKay (Deborah Kerr) do not get their happy ending at the top of the Empire State Building; Terry is struck by a car on her way to the building and never makes it to the observation deck.  

Empire State Building Run-Up

Some go to the top of the Empire State Building for love; others head up a bit of exercise. Since 1978, NYCRUNS has held a foot race at the building called the “Empire State Building Run-Up.” The route spans from the bottom of the building to the 86 floor, with runners sprinting up 1,576 stairs. According to the Empire State Building’s website, it’s “the world’s first and most famous tower race, and the fastest runners have covered the 86 floors in about 10 minutes.” The 2022 Run-Up date was on October 6th at 8pm. 

Who Owns The Empire State Building Today?

Since 2006, the ownership of the Empire State Building has been in the hands of Peter Malkin and his company Empire State Land Associates from Donald Trump and Hideki Yokoi for a sale of $57.5 million. Prior to that, Leona Helmsley also hand in the day to day operations

Visiting the Empire State Building

The Empire State Building is open 365 days a year, rain or shine. For observatory visits, tourists can head up early in the morning or after dark for nighttime views. The building offers group packages, specialty experiences, and even a VIP proposal package for the romantic types. For those looking for more than just a quick visit to the Empire State Building, both office and retail spaces are currently available for lease. The building is strictly commercial, so anyone hoping to call 20 W. 34th Street home will have to look elsewhere. 

From the very soil it sits on to top of the record-breaking tower, the Empire State Building is an unmistakable part of the soul of New York City. The building has modernized with the city, and the longer it stands, the more stories it holds and visitors it welcomes. It is a place that has seen the city through the best and worst of times, and stands tall as a reminder of what New York City is: weird, wonderful, and very, very big. 

The post The Complete History of the Empire State Building appeared first on CitySignal.

The Apollo Theatre

“The Soul of American Culture”, the Legendary Apollo theatre has been serving as a cultural center in Harlem, and greater Black New York for over 100 years. Founded in 1913 by George Keister, the Apollo has had a large role in the emergence of various musical styles and artists, such as jazz, bebop and blues, with such names as Duke Ellington, Billie Holiday, and Luther Vandross gracing its stage. Famous for dance, music and theatre, the theatre is perhaps best known as a comedy venue, with its legendary stand-up Showtime At The Apollo still airing episodes on Fox, hosted by Steve Harvey. The Apollo Theatre also features an Ameteur night for artists and performances of all kinds, and is responsible for the launching of the careers of Lauryn Hill, H.E.R and Ella Fitzgerald.

Breaking and Entering

An up-and-coming theatre collective, Breaking and Entering is a Brooklyn-Based community-oriented production company focusing on work by emerging and pre-emerging artists. Their major programming includes outdoor Rooftop Readings, a series of new plays rehearsed and read by a rotating group of highly talented artists held atop different buildings throughout Brooklyn. Other initiatives include their PEA fest, or Pre-emerging Artists festival, a three-night event featuring three plays by three pre-emerging playwrights at The Chain theatre.

Brooklyn Academy of Music

Centered in Brooklyn, BAM has been a home for theatrical innovation for over 150 years. With programming in dance, theatre, music, opera and film, the Brooklyn Academy of Music features a robust calendar of events that features something to do every single day. Ongoing events include Next Wave, their emerging works incubator, BAMkids, their youth initiative and BAMcafé, which is a home to their cabaret-style works. BAM is also a cultural center for lecturers, guest artists and other organizations, hosting BAM Talk lectures about a bevy of creative interests as well as any number of networking events such as a Young Producer’s Night and artistic panels. 

The Gallery Players

The Gallery Players are “Brooklyn’s Premiere Off-Off-Broadway Theatre” according to their own home page, and they have good reason to claim that title. With the mission to provide opportunities for theatre artists and audiences by providing professional-quality theatre to Brookly audiences at an affordable cost, this Park Slope theatre received the Off-Off Broadway Review’s award for Lifetime Achievement in 2000. Notable productions include the 2008 production of the LGBTQ military musical Yank! or the 2019 production of Duncan Sheik’s hit musical, Spring Awakening for which they were awarded the New York Innovative Theatre Award for outstanding musical.

Hip to Hip Theatre Company 

Hit to Hip is a non-profit focused on serving New York City’s outer boroughs. Since 2007 this company based in the largest borough of NYC has been pumping out annual productions of their “Free Shakespeare in the Park”, “Kids and the Classics,” as well as other free, family-friendly professional productions, almost always in public spaces. Now officially servicing all 5 boroughs of the city, Hip to Hip’s robust performance schedule also serves as a guide of sorts to the best public parks and performance spaces in the city. A completely free alternative to The Public Theatre’s famous “Shakespeare in The Park”, Hip To Hip is a great choice for anyone who can’t make it down to the Delacorte Theatre and still craves high-grade, accessible, community-based classical theatre.

Octopus Theatricals

Eschewing aesthetic, geopolitical and institutional boundaries to create inclusive work that reflects their “roles as global citizens”, Octopus Theatricals LLC produces work like no other. Not necessarily a theater company but a “creative producing and consulting” company, Octopus has its “tentacles” in any number of excellent productions, companies, and groups. A recent, famous production they have a role in is Anaïs Mitchell’s Hadestown, which is still running on broadway. But their off and off-off broadway productions are absolutely worth checking out. Theatre For One for instance, designed by LOT-EK, featured a mobile trailer in which a single actor performs an intimate show for a single audience member, or Arizona State University collaboration Utopian Hotline, an installation with a 30-foot projection screen, headphones and vinyl records.

People’s Theatre Project

Rooted in Washington Heights and Inwood, The People’s Theatre Project is an ensemble-based, multilingual theatre company led by women of color and immigrants. With an ensemble core of immigrant artists of color, this 13-year-old organization brings a refreshing and recognizable voice to theatre for and by people of color. Some of their initiatives include the PTP company, their “multigenerational touring company” and PTP academy, which is described as a “rigorous, multi-year arts and social justice program in Upper Manhattan”. In 2022 the People’s Theatre project was awarded a $15 million investment from NYC, selected by Eric Adams, to own and operate a “first-of-its-kind” Immigrant Research and Performing arts center. Slated to open in 2027, the IRPAC will offer weekly cultural programming to seniors, serve as a performing arts space and home to companies and individual artists, and feature art by immigrant visual artists. 

24 Hour Plays

The 24 Hour Plays is a creative community committed to producing plays, musicals, and other theatre all written, rehearsed, and performed in 24 hours. With several programs, including 24 Hour Plays on Broadway, 24 Hour Musicals, Plays around The World and Viral Monologues, this decade-old institution is a staple of decentralized theatre in and out of New York City. Each Summer, the “main event” of sorts is staged in an Off-Broadway theatre and features up-and-coming playwrights, directors, and actors, as well as some established industry giants. Recently, their Broadway-based programming “On Broadway” was held at Town Hall on West 43rd Street, just blocks away from the Times Square, The Orion and The Birdland Jazz Club. The company also recently partnered with Broadway Licensing to expand the program to other community organizations who want to use the 24 Hour model.

The post 8 NYC Theatre and Entertainment Companies Outside Broadway appeared first on CitySignal.

Welcome to Murray Hill, the little neighborhood with a lot of heart! When people think of Murray Hill, they think of younger professionals who frequent the bars in the area while looking for a great time. This is a pretty accurate representation of the area, but there’s also a ton of great food and activities to do here. This neighborhood is cool, fun, and beautiful.

History of Murray Hill

This neighborhood is named for Robert Murray, a merchant who built his estate on the land here in the 1750s. During the Revolution, Robert Murray’s wife, Mary, invited British soldiers into the estate for tea, pretending to be a British loyalist. What she was really doing, however, was giving the American army time to retreat from the encroaching British forces. The property returned to the Murray family’s hand after the war, and it would remain theirs until the 1800s.

The neighborhood, itself, didn’t start major development until the 1800s when a railroad and row houses were built in the area. By the 20th century, the neighborhood became a quiet haven for the elite of the city. Franklin and Eleanor Roosevelt even lived in the area for a while! However, starting in the 90s, more bars and restaurants began to open their doors here, and the area became popular with young professionals, who remain the main demographic in the neighborhood to this day. 

Things To Do in Murray Hill

 

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Murray Hill is a great place with a ton of things to see and experience. Some of the best things to do in this neighborhood include:

Museum of the Dog

This museum is all about our favorite furry friends. They have histories of dog breeds, art inspired by dogs, and even resources on how to shop or adopt a dog. Animal lovers will want to spend all day in this wholesome museum.

The Escape Game

This awesome venue features escape rooms, large puzzles that are meant to be solved in a group. These games are super fun, and a great team building exercise. It’s a unique experience that is rarely found in NYC.

Scandinavia House

Known as the Nordic Center in America, this non-profit is a great place to learn about Scandinavian countries. They have language courses, a library, and even sponsor events in the city to celebrate Nordic holidays and traditions.

Restaurants of Murray Hill

 

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Murray Hill is a great place to grab a bite, as the neighborhood is full of amazing restaurants. Some of the best places to eat here include:

Zuma New York ($$$$)

This Japanese restaurant is one of the best in the city. With traditional Japanese cuisine, as well as an omakase experience, this restaurant is essential dining for sushi lovers. They also have an extensive drink menu, with options that pair well with any main course.

Rossini’s ($$$)

This Northern Italian restaurant  has been around for over 40 years, and has been extremely popular since they first opened. They have chef and lunch specials on a daily basis, and the meals here are prepared with skill and love.

Dock’s Oyster Bar ($$$)

This seafood restaurant is fun, festive, and delicious. Established in 1987, this restaurant specializes in oysters, lobster, and crab. They have an extensive raw bar and even several different seafood towers.

Benjamin Steakhouse Prime ($$$$)

This steakhouse is the gem of the neighborhood, and has a large menu of amazing, gourmet items. Even their sandwiches are upscale. They have lunch prix fixe menus for just $45 per-person, which are some of the most popular options on the menu.

Ahimsa ($$)

This Indian restaurant has a ton of options, especially for those with Gluten issues. They also have a ton of vegetarian and vegan options, which is perfect for the younger crowd that frequents this area.

Bars of Murray Hill

 

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Murray Hill has a bustling nightlife, and the bars here are relaxing and very affordable. Some of the best bars include:

MAD Bar & Lounge ($$$)

This 1960’s themed bar is cool and very Instagram-able. The staff is friendly, and the cocktails are delicious. They also feature a menu of Italian bites for those who want a snack to go with their drink.

The Raines Law Room ($$$)

This dimly lit bar is perfect for a discrete date night. The décor is classy and the drinks are classier, with some cocktail favorites and specialty drinks gracing the menu. This place is sexy, and very popular with the residents of the neighborhood.

Bubo ($$)

Another cocktail lounge in this fancy drink neighborhood, this place has a brunch menu that will knock your socks off. For just $29, you can get two drinks, a non-alcoholic drink, a main dish and a dessert. This is legitimately one of the best deals in the city.

The Black Sheep ($)

This Irish pub is a great place to relax and watch a football game. The bar has nine TV’s and even a private party room for birthdays and other events. This place is great for folks who are seeking a dive bar with attitude.

City Beer ($$)

This craft beer bar will cure what ails you, and it will do so without making you go bankrupt. They have a huge, ever changing beer menu, and they even offer appetizers that pair well with their entire drink selection.

Where to Live in Murray Hill

Murray Hill is a very popular area, and that’s because home’s here are large and modernized. Some of the best places to live here include:

80 Park Avenue

This large condo might be from 1954, but the homes here have been renovated to fit with modern standards. Stainless steel appliances, free storage, and a roof-top deck are waiting for you in this grand building.

Wimbledon Tower

This beautiful building has been around since the 1960’s, and has been providing luxury rental homes to New Yorkers ever since. The complex has a fitness center and large laundry facility, which makes this place ideal for young professionals.

The Corinthian

This condo building has a unique design, meaning apartments come with rounded, floor-to-ceiling windows. This building has a ton of amenities, including a swimming pool, fitness center, and children’s playroom.

View 34

This high rise rental building has some spectacular views of the city and the east river. It also features a media room, bike room, and valet parking. Apartments here are huge and feature luxury, stainless steel appliances.

The Horizon

This towering condo has over 400 units, each one with an amazing view of the city or the river. The pool, bike room, fitness center, and children’s playroom make this an ideal place for smaller families to settle down.

The Nash

This hip rental building has one of the best rooftop decks in the city. Along with its great views are grilling areas and comfortable seating areas that are perfect for parties. This building is especially popular on the Fourth of July, when residents invite guests to watch fireworks from the roof.

Goodhue House

This co-op is enormous, and several of their larger homes have private outdoor terraces. Being a co-op, all of these homes are unique, but most have been renovated to fit modern standards. These homes are huge and perfect for families or single people. The convenient location also makes this complex extremely popular.

Traveling in Murray Hill

Murray Hill is on the East Side of Manhattan on the other side of midtown. This location is great and easy to traverse. Some of the best ways to get around this neighborhood include:

Trains

The New York City Subway system services Murray Hill rather well. The neighborhood is located right outside of Grand Central Station, giving it easy access to the 4, 5, 6, 7, and S trains. It also has access to a number of trains that travel all over the country. There’s even restaurants and bars in the station for people to enjoy.

Buses

There are a number of bus lines that service Murray Hill. These lines include the BxM2, BxM4, BxM5, BxM6, BxM7, BxM8, BxM10, BxM11, QM10, QM12, QM16, QM17, QM18, QM20QM21, M1, M2, M3, M4, M42, Q32, X63, X64, and X68 amongst others.

Ride Shares and Bike Rentals

Driving is pretty popular in this neighborhood. Most of the buildings have their own parking lots. That said, traffic here gets bad on a daily basis, so driving and ride shares can be a tedious way to get around. For that same reason, biking here is difficult and can be a bit dangerous, though there are Citi Bike docking stations for your convenience.

Murray Hill is a popular area, especially with younger, more affluent crowds. This neighborhood is full of great food, great drinks, and great times. Most of the buildings here provide great views of some of New York’s most iconic buildings. To live here is to live in luxury, and right in the middle of the action. This area can get busy, but that’s part of its charm. Those who don’t like crowds should go elsewhere. However, for those who want a night of the town they’ll never forget, then Murray Hill should be at the top of your list.

The post Murray Hill Guide: The Small but Mighty Neighborhood appeared first on CitySignal.

The most magical and beautiful time of the year is upon us. While we are busy preparing our homes for family and friends, it’s important to take time for ourselves. Visiting some of the amazing light displays throughout the 5 boroughs is one way to celebrate the holidays and unwind.  

CitySignal breaks down some of the best holiday light displays in our city. Some are world-renowned, while others are a bit more under wraps. Whatever you choose, grab a blanket, some hot chocolate, and your gloves before setting out on your very own tour of NYC holiday light displays. 

Dyker Heights

It is impossible to even mention Christmas lights in NYC without mentioning Dyker Heights. This long-celebrating neighborhood in Brooklyn could quite possibly be the best Christmas lights around. Also known as the King of Christmas Lights, The Undisputed Capital of Christmas Pageantry, and Dyker Lights, you will be blown away by the bright lights in this part of New York.  

Ms. Lucy Spata created this magical Christmas tradition in the 1980s. Her mother loved to decorate her home for Christmas, and Ms. Spata wanted to keep that memory alive with her home in Dyker Heights. Soon, many neighbors decided to join Ms. Spata in her holiday tradition. Now, the neighborhood is known throughout the world for what Ms. Spata started.

 

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 Most families in the neighborhood begin to decorate their homes around Thanksgiving and continue to light up the streets through January. There is no way to know exactly how many lights glow throughout Dyker Heights, but it is estimated to be millions! Some homes are extravagant, while others aspire to be over the top. Whatever you desire in holiday-lighted cheer, you will find it in Dyker Heights. 

When and Where to Visit The Dyker Heights Lights

You can view the lights on Dyker Heights Boulevard, also known as 11th to 13th Avenues from 83rd to 86th St in Dyker Heights, Brooklyn. Most displays will turn off at 9pm so aim to go sometime before then and after 4pm.

Live In Dyker Heights

Visited the lights and fallen in love with the neighborhood? Be a part of the famed Christmas lights, year after year! Consider this gorgeous apartment, located in the quiet neighborhood of Dyker Heights. 

The Modafferi Christmas Lights Show 

For over 30 years, Mr. Tony Modafferi has entertained NYC with some of the most beautiful Christmas lights in the borough of Queens. Located in the neighborhood of Howard Beach, Mr. Modafferi’s lights shine bright for visitors near and far. 

Mr. Modafferi began decorating his home for Christmas after losing his brother on 9/11. His brother was a fire captain and was working at the World Trade Center on that fateful day. Mr. Modafferi needed a way to cheer up his family, and the event took on a life of its own. 

Where and When To View the Modafferi Light Show

The nightly light show runs from 5pm until 10:00PM each night during the holiday season at 165 Avenue and 97 Street, by Charles Park.

Amaze Light Festival in Flushing

A great option for the entire family to gaze at millions of Christmas lights is the Amaze Light Festival in Flushing. You could easily make an entire evening out of this all-in-one event. The Amaze Light Festival showcases a million lights, a holiday market, and a train ride through sparkling lights. 

 

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 Located at Citi Field, tickets can be purchased in advance for this holiday spectacular. The Amaze Light Festival features live characters and fun for all ages. For those wanting something to cater to an adult-aged experience, there is an upscale food and beverage area. VIP tickets are also available. 

Zing’s Toyporium is a popular option for kids of all ages. You can enjoy a life-sized Lite Bright and write a letter to the big man himself, Santa. 

Add-on experiences for all ages are also available. These can be purchased in addition to your regular tickets. The add-ons include Zing’s Thrill Hill and Arctic Experience. 

Saks Fifth Avenue

Words cannot describe the grandeur and beauty of the light show presented by Saks Fifth Avenue year after year. The iconic department store is home to some of the most beautiful window displays in the world. 

Each year, one of the most spectacular light shows is available to see for everyone walking along the famous street. The show occurs most days during the holiday season, after dusk and into the night. Hundreds of perfectly coordinated LED lights shine and twinkle to holiday music. 

Don’t skip viewing the famous window displays before or after viewing the light show. The displays are unveiled each year and always change to bring everyone a surprise experience for the holidays.

Looking to get a convenient and easy commute to view the Saks Fifth Avenue lights each year? Check out this simple one bedroom listing.

Rockefeller Center

It wouldn’t be a Christmas light display list without mentioning the Rockefeller Center. Iconic in name and famous throughout the world, The Rockefeller Center offers so much for the entire family. 

For 2022, the Christmas Tree Lighting will occur on November 30th. After the event, the famous tree will shine for Manhattan each day from 6AM-12AM. On Christmas Day, the tree will glow for a full 24 hours. If you prefer to wait a bit later to view the gorgeous tree, New Year’s Day hours will be from 6AM-9PM. 

A trip to Rockefeller Center is not complete without skating at The Rink. Located just below the famed Prometheus statue and Christmas tree, The Rink is a must for all visitors to the city. Tickets can be purchased in advance here. General admission prices include skate time and skate rental. VIP tickets can also be purchased. These special tickets allow extra skating time, skate rental, and one hot beverage of your choice. Season passes are also available for anyone wanting to skate multiple times throughout the winter season. 

It doesn’t matter if you want to visit a neighborhood close to your home or a world-famous display like Saks Fifth Avenue. The most magical city in the world has something for everyone. Here at City Signal, we hope that your holiday season can be made just a little brighter by visiting some of NYC’s beautiful light displays.

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Welcome To City Island

While visiting City Island, you might get asked by a curious resident, “Are you a Clamdigger or a Cusselsucker?” This nautical-themed neighborhood is famous for yachts and lobster, capturing the ambiance of a resort town with lasting success. But to island-born residents (called “Clamdiggers”) and non-native residents (Musselsuckers), it’s just home. Tucked into the northeastern corner of the Bronx and a bridge away from the worries of Manhattan, City Island welcomes tourists and residents alike with old-world style and small-town approachability. If you want a New England seaside experience without leaving New York City- this is the place for you. Come for a day trip, and don’t forget your appetite- City Island is famous for its seafood.

History

It’s easy to miss out on City Island. Heck, lots of New Yorkers barely even know it exists. Dangling off the backside of the Bronx and connected to Manhattan only by a bridge through Pelham Bay Park, it’s easy to feel like City Island is its own little world away from the rest.   

Few know that the island- a relatively small island of just 1.5 miles long- was at one point intended to be the commercial rival of Manhattan. Benjamin Palmer purchased the island in the 1700s but fell short of his dream of dominating the 13.4-mile-long, 2.3-mile-wide economy of Manhattan. While it did not become the powerhouse he envisioned, it did become a maritime cornerstone of New York.

Geographically located at the end of Long Island Sound, the island is south of Pelham Bay and east of Eastchester Bay. City Island is technically part of New York City and specifically the Bronx borough. It is also one of the Pelham Islands. These islands belonged to Thomas Pell in the 17th century and include The Blazes, Chimney Sweep Islands, Davids Island, Goose Island, and six others. Much of this land was later incorporated into New Rochelle.

City Island, the largest of the Pelham Islands, has 235 acres and is well situated for boating and maritime, given its easy ocean access. City Island has a quaint population of 4,387 people and 1,874 households, according to the most recent census. The median age of residents is 43 years old. According to population statistics, 84% of the City Island population is made up of white-collar workers, with 157 residents working as entrepreneurs and 420 at government institutions. Under 22% of households have children.

Of rich and dense history, the land of City Island changed hands a number of times over the years. These lands were the original home of the Siwanoy band of Lenape Indians. Their homes and lives would eventually be scattered by European settlers around 1614. First claimed by the Dutch, the Siwanoy people were forced off their lands.

In the mid-1600s, Englishman Thomas Pell purchased the land from the Siwanoy, refusing Dutch requests for departure. The Pell family stewarded the land until the mid-1700s when Benjamin Palmer purchased the island with the intention to revive it into a commercial rival of Manhattan. First called New City Island, the incoming population of shipbuilders and oyster fishermen began to refer to it as City Island. The island voted to become part of New York City in 1895, then was consolidated into the Bronx in 1898.

The shipyard dream of years before was eventually realized as City Island evolved into a shipbuilding outpost. During the World Wars, City Island contributed to United States war efforts through the construction of minesweepers, tugboats, and landing crafts. Following the war, the island continued to expand into a healthy yacht-building community. Over time, seven of the America’s Cup-winning yachts have come from City Island, making it a boat makers’ paradise.

The economy is composed of restaurants, yacht clubs, and marinas. You can find yacht clubs, sailing schools, marinas, sailmakers, lobster and fishing boats, and marine supply and repair shops all within walking distance on this modest but bustling island.

City Island remains a favorite day-tripping destination for visitors and a quiet and peaceful home for residents. There is little residential development on the island, and the population has been stable for a long time. A 43-unit condo complex built in 2015 was the first major residential building project since the year 2000.

City Island’s Maritime History 

Due to its location on Long Island Sound, City Island has always had a relationship with the sea. In the 1800s, oysters were an important food staple and protein source amongst locals. Around the 1850s, over 100 City Island families earned their living harvesting oysters in the bay. That would not last forever, and in 1862 the island’s first major boat builder appeared: David Carll Shipyard. Slowly but surely, the island turned from oysters to boat building, including rebuilding commercial, racing, and luxury yachts and boats. Of the 20 12-meter yachts built in the US between 1935 and 1980, 12 of those were constructed on City Island. 

“Virtually the yachting center of New York. No yachtsman in this vicinity will dispute the fact that the Sound has superior advantages over any other place in New York City for yachting,” said Rudder magazine in 1891, “Which alone proves that someday City Island will be the great building place of these waters. Already three or four more or less prominent builders have located here….” 

Wealthy New Yorkers began to keep their yachts moored on City Island. Hell Gate pilots from City Island would escort ships down the East River and back. City Island remained the convenient and obvious choice for boat servicing due to its location between north and south New York. 

While boats are no longer built on City Island, boating remains a cherished pastime. Numerous yacht and boating clubs dot the island: City Island Yacht Club, Morris Yacht and Beach Club, Harlem Yacht Club, Touring Kayak Club, North Minneford Yacht Club, and South Minneford Yacht Club. There are also sail lofts and boatyards. 

Manhattan’s Columbia University docks a fleet of dinghies at City Island Yacht Club. City Island is home to their sailing team, who travel from Manhattan four times a week to practice. Other local teams include Fordham University’s sailing team. 

Fishing excursions are available along Long Island Sound, and smaller boats can be rented for the day. A number of head boats will take passengers out fishing.

The America’s Cup and City Island’s Golden Touch

City Island’s true yachting fame lies within its role in the America’s Cups. The oldest recorded competition still being held in any sport, the America’s Cups are yacht sailing races held between the current trophy holders and any challenger. Prestige surrounding the America’s Cup has long attracted internationally famous sailors, yacht designers, and sponsors. Informally known as the Auld Mug, the America’s Cup is a trophy awarded in sailing. Teams often spend over $100 million per competition. Races generally occur every 3 to 4 years, the most recent being in March 2021. 

City Island contributed heavily to the winning side. In 1870, the first America’s Cup challenge took place in New York Harbor. The race was won by Magic, an American Yacht from Philadelphia. This marked the beginning of a 132-year winning streak; the United States won 23 more times until finally losing in 1983 to Australia. The majority of the ships participating over the years: Vigilant, Defender, Columbia, Shamrock I, Shamrock II, Defiance, Vanity, Shamrock III, and Shamrock IV were stored and serviced on City Island. All the Cup defenders until 1958 had City Island-local Ratsey & Lapthorn sails. This was a great source of pride and joy to the local community, who worked hard to support the racing teams. 

Where to shop

Businesses are staggered around the island’s City Island Avenue. Stores along the avenue include a gas station, pharmacy, supermarket, bank, and hardware store. Small shops include A Taste of Italy, Amadiz Cigars, and Dressed by Jess and Jill’s Cottage.

Tourists mainly venture to City Island for incomparable seafood. Famous for lobster, ocean bakes, and fried delicacies- there are countless delicious options to choose from amongst the seafood restaurants along the avenue or further south at Belden Point. 

The second most popular is shopping for antiques. There are a number of adorable antique shops along the drag while on the quest for turn-of-the-century antiquities and pre-colonial treasures. We listed a few local favorites here. And if that isn’t enough- jump to the end for a fun independent movie theater experience.

Early Ruth Antiques– Specializes in art and antiques. Open only on the weekends; call for an appointment.

Kaleidoscope Gallery Inc.- Open daily until 7pm this gallery specializes in jewelry, custom-designed jewelry, and repairs, as well as kids’ toys, art, and souvenirs. A great place to find a gift for someone.

Lollipop Antiques, Collectibles, and More- This business features antiques, collectibles, glassware, and jewelry. They claim ‘a bit of everything from the 1800s to the 1950s’.

239 Play!- A vintage toy shop and memorabilia store- find collectibles, rarities, and curios. Many dazzling old-school toys to play with.

Focal Point Gallery – Run by proprietor Ronald Terner, this art gallery and salesroom does much to support the local community and arts scene. Operating since the mid-1970s, the Focal Point gallery regularly puts calls out for local artists to submit work. The gallery work of all mediums.

Cinema on the Sound– Opened by a Bronx filmmaker, the 50-seat cinema brings moviegoers a unique opportunity to get close to the film. Owner Jerry Landi organizes to bring filmmakers, as often as possible, to watch and speak with the audience afterward. This theater space can also be rented.

Museums

Currently closed until May 2023, The City Island Nautical Museum is located in the corner of old schoolhouse PS 17 and is rumored to be built on an Indian burial ground. They have an interesting collection of artifacts, photos, and information on famous residents. Photographs and records detail how the island’s workers and industry supported the US efforts during WWII. The museum also contains exhibits such as the History of Oystering in New York and the Boat Building History of City Island. The museum is run by volunteers and asks for a $5 donation upon entry.

The City Island Pelham Masonic Historical Society is a local organization working to study and preserve island history. The Historical Society researches notable Bronx County families and businesses, presenting public exhibits on their findings. For information on genealogy research or public historical records, contact the center.

Where To Eat

It is truly all about seafood here. A popular specialty on the island, there are 30 different eateries to choose from. Some restaurants operate seasonally, but most are open year-round. A number of coffee shops include Clipper Coffee, Hip Hop Café, and Dunkin Donuts if you need to get a buzz!

City Island Diner: A longstanding favorite by tourists and locals alike, City Island Diner has all the greasy spoon options your heart desires. The breakfast menu includes omelets and pancakes, along with lunch favorites, burgers, paninis, and sandwiches. This old-fashioned diner features countertop seating and a seasonally rotating menu with specials. Take out and delivery upon request.

Johnny’s Reef: Slinging clams and slaw for over 60 years, this restaurant is a part of local culture. At the very end of the drag, get a good look at City Island while in line for some grub. With fun sides like fried frog legs or fried chicken livers, don’t forget to try the house favorite piña colada. On busy nights Johnny’s will have a separate line just for cocktails. Includes indoor and outdoor seating.

The Black Whale: What this restaurant lacks in water view, it makes up with history. Coming into its second lifetime now- The Black Whale first appeared in the 1960s as an antique shop that served coffee. This led to desserts, poetry readings, plays, and even a speech from a member of the Communist Party. Owner exhausted, the building eventually closed in 1998. Luckily a new owner came along to revitalize the community centerpiece. The Sunday brunch is a favorite amongst locals. Enjoy indoor or outdoor seating, weather permitting. The regular menu includes seafood, pastas, sandwiches, steaks, and salads.

Sammy’s Shrimp Box: One family- two restaurants, for your choosing. On one side of the street is Sammy’s Fish Box, and across the street is Sammy’s Shrimp Box. For those of you who like sidewalk seating and reservations- this is your place. An old-school Italian seafood restaurant, you will leave with a load of leftovers. Specials include combos and shared platters.

Once seated, you are welcomed with a plate of antipasti, including cornbread and Italian bread. Sides include tostones, fries, or linguine. Open until midnight every night, Sammy’s offers dishes like Super Fried Seafood Combo Platter- with shrimp, fillet, scallops, and calamari, or the Clam Bake Special with corn on the cob. Also, a fine menu of steaks and pastas, including “Pot of Succulent Rope Mussels,” that sounds like poetry.

City Island Lobster House: Serving all varieties of lobster at far cheaper than standard New York prices, the Lobster House is where you’ll satisfy that lobster craving. Choose from lobster rolls, lobster bisque, lobster pasta, lobster paella, lobster tail surf and turf, and whole lobsters steamed or broiled. The list goes on, but luckily your hunger won’t.

Lickety Split: Eventually, you’ll get your fill of seafood. Lickety Split will be here when you do. The old-school dessert staple of City Island, some visit just for the fantastical cottage vibe. Like an ice cream parlor straight out of the 1950s, the handwritten menu features ice cream, soft serve, and gelato. Pull up a chair and enjoy a waffle cone, banana split, piece of pie, float, or shake! Seating includes an outdoor patio area to enjoy the sunset. With dozens of flavors of Breyers to choose from, take a break from seafood and enjoy something sweet. 

Where to live

If one is thinking of moving to City Island, there are so many gorgeous locations to live in with stunning views of the Sound and other scenic panoramas. Here are a few developments that are great places to get started in your search.

On The Sound

As recent as of 2016, On The Sound contains 43 units of waterfront development located on 5 acres of land. This private, gated community offers amenities like a clubhouse with a fitness center and lounge, playground, and a heated pool. Individual units built with luxurious detailing; maple wood cabinets, Caesarstone countertops, double sink master bathrooms, gas fireplaces, hardwood flooring, garage, and private laundry facilities. Some current availabilities include 28 Island Point, 46 Island Point, and 26 Island Point.

The Sailmaker at City Island Condos

The Sailmaker is a three-story, 34-unit “Boatel” converted from the former Ratsey & Lapthorn sailmaking loft. Converted in 1990, this building is prime waterfront property. Featuring post-war construction, the building includes a pool and an elevator. Individual units feature studio and one-bedrooms with fireplaces, large closets, and whirlpool baths. Originally pitched by developers as a “resort condominium” or “weekend retreat” the building kept original high ceilings, between 12 and 14 feet. Residents can purchase boat slips.

Parks and Outdoor Areas At City Island

There are a number of memorable parks to explore on City Island. Hawkins Park and City Island Park are the most popular.

Hawkins Park

Smack dab in the middle of City Island is Hawkins Park. The park is built in celebration of US Navy Seaman Second Class and City Island native Leonard Hilson Hawkins, who died in World War I. The park features a sizable granite monument honoring Hawkins and other City Island inhabitants who served in the war. Situated as a triangle-shaped plaza, this is a nice place to visit during your time on City Island.

City Island Park

City Island Park is on the waterfront between City Island Avenue and Bridge Street. There is a network of walking paths to enjoy. A favorite path leads to the green area along the water, overlooking Eastchester Bay. Benches are included for rest and leisure, and lampposts provide lighting in the evening.   

The only disappointment in visiting City Island is that there are no public beaches on the island itself. The closest beach to enjoy is the nearby Orchard Beach. Across the bridge on the edge of the Bronx, locals and residents love Orchard Beach for catching sun and playing with the family. Online calendars highlight local performances and summer concerts. Around the beach are hiking trails with a plethora of bird watching. Bird watchers are very satisfied with this area, reporting a number of sought-after species to marvel. 

How To Travel To City Island

At one point in time, you could only reach City Island by ferry. In the 1760s, this was a rope ferry, making travel difficult and time-consuming. The first bridge to the island was constructed in 1873, later replaced by a three-lane steel bridge built in 1901. This survived until the New City Island Causeway Bridge took its place in 2017. Nowadays, weekend roamers can easily drive or bus over to see what it’s all about.

While on the island, there are limited methods for transportation. Two bus routes through the Metropolitan Transportation Authority (MTA) run to and from City Island. The MTA Regional Bus Bx29 route operates from the Pelham Bay Park Station, while the BxM8 express route runs to Manhattan. Otherwise, take the 6 to the end of the line, then catch a bus. City Island itself is only 1.5 miles long, making it perfectly walkable for visitors.

Day Trip Itinerary To City Island

If you’re itching to give City Island a go but only have a limited amount of time, here’s the perfect day trip itinerary just for you: Take the bus to the end of City Island. Start at Johnny’s Reef, explore some fried seafood favorites on the patio, and enjoy a beverage or two. Wander up City Island Ave until you hit The Snug. This old-timer pub is laid back and charming. Meet some locals and enjoy a pint or two. For closing out, check out Lickety Split, situated right across the street. Grab a nice ice cream cone and, walk the island again, wander the bridge over to Pelham Bay Park. Add in Orchard Beach either before or after for some quality sun R&R and bird watching.

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Snyder made the city’s schools safer, healthier, and generally more conducive to a productive learning environment. Now over 100 years later, it’s clear that the lessons to be gleaned from Snyder’s career and legacy extend far beyond those of structural design and architecture; his passion for improving the educational system teaches us quite a bit about humanity, as well. 

The Job of a Lifetime

Charles B.J. Snyder was born in 1860 in Stillwater, New York. He studied architecture at the Cooper Union in New York and began his professional career in the 1880s. For years, Snyder studied under master carpenter William E. Bishop. Little is known about Bishop or the working relationship between the duo, but it can be assumed Snyder spent that time mastering his trade and honing his skills.

This unique educational background likely contributed to Snyder’s success as a school architect. It was one equally as influenced by formal schooling, where he learned the major styles of the time – Beaux-Arts, Gothic, Dutch Colonial – and as it was by the practical, hands-on work he’d performed with Bishop. 

Snyder was only thirty years old when elected Superintendent of Buildings by the New York City Board of Education in 1891. Though he was a man well versed in his craft, innovating the public schools – over capacity and struggling to keep up with the city’s exploding population – would not be an easy task. But Synder was up to the job. 

By the late 1800s, the reputation of the New York City public school system was fraught and flawed. Snyder was hired to take over for the somewhat crooked architect George Debevoise, who had suddenly resigned after accusations that he’d conspired with contractors to use cheaper materials on school projects. Whether or not the allegation against Debevoise was true, the writing was on the wall – or rather, the cracks were in the foundation. Debevoise’s buildings were called “a civic disgrace” by the Real Estate Record and Guide in 1893.

To add insult to injury, the late 1800s were a boom time for New York; every inch of the city was being developed into a bustling metropolis. The cost of land was at a premium, and massive developments were dwarfing the smaller structures. As a result, the physical space allocated for new school buildings was minimal, and the existing ones suffered the consequences of nearby construction: Snyder cited lack of light and proper airflow as major issues in the schools. 

It’s not surprising that during New York City’s Gilded Age – a time when the rich got richer and the poor were pushed into poverty – there lacked an emphasis on education… for those who could not afford private school, that is. Charles B.J. Snyder set out to change that. In his eyes, school buildings served as civic monuments for a better society. He put stately schools in underserved neighborhoods, working to ensure that the privilege of a healthy education was not something one had to pay for. 

One of his first projects as Superintendent was Public School 23, located today at 70 Mulberry Street. Debevoise favored the Romanesque style for his buildings, and though Snyder deviated from that form in his later structures, he designed PS 23 in line with that architectural style. 

In the basement of PS 23, Snyder built an auditorium; this was part of his plan to provide community centers and local meeting places within school buildings. PS 23 was decommissioned as a school in the mid-1970s and reopened as a community center. In 2020, a fire devastated the landmark, but the city has pledged to rebuild and revitalize the building, investing $170 million into the project, which is slated to finish in 2027. 

A larger budget, smaller class sizes, and a supportive President of the Board of Education (Robert Maclay) meant that Snyder was able to introduce basic but necessary improvements to the school buildings. Those included steel frame construction, indoor toilets, mechanical ventilation, and large windows. Despite the improvements, Snyder faced the same problem that had plagued Debevoise for years: how to create a quiet space for learning in unfavorable locations, as the plots allocated for schools were typically on noisey street corners.

Inspiration struck when Snyder went on a research trip to Paris in 1895. He was intrigued by the design of the Gothic-style Hotel Cluny de Paris, which was set back from the street via a courtyard. Snyder mused that this design, which ensured light and air could reach the building and offered respite from city chaos, could work for New York City’s schools. Thus his signature H-plan was born. 

The first school built in this model was PS 165, completed in 1898. Located at 234 West 109th Street, it still stands and operates as a Pre-K through 5th-grade school today. 

School Is In Session

The H-plan design allowed Snyder to streamline the building process and enabled him to complete between 5 and 15 buildings per year. A reorganization of the Deputy Superintendents ensured that each stakeholder reported directly to Snyder and was only responsible for a specific portion of the building (design and planning, heating and ventilation, furniture, etc.). Synder fluctuated between various styles in his work – Beaux-Arts, Jacobean, Dutch Colonial, Gothic. Some buildings exactly followed the H-plan design; some strayed from the blueprint. 

The system was a well-oiled machine, and it garnered exceptional results.  

Dubbed the “mother of High Schools,” Erasmus Hall High School in Brooklyn has been operating as a school since 1787. The original school building was deemed a historical landmark in 1966 and is now known as the Erasmus Hall Museum. Surrounding the museum is Snyder’s school, designed in Modern Gothic style and built between 1904 and 1940. Today it operates as an educational campus for five separate schools. The storied center boasts a long list of alumni, including the legendary Barbra Streisand. 

PS 17 was built between 1897 and 1898 at 190 Fordham Street. The building lives on as the City Island Nautical Museum, an exhibit dedicated to preserving the city’s nautical heritage. 

Snyder’s Legacy 

These are just a few of the countless still-standing structures that Snyder designed. His influence touched every corner of New York City, from the peak of the Bronx to the depths of Brooklyn to the whole of Manhattan. His work was prolific, and its impact on the community is immeasurable. Each of these buildings was designed with the intention of bringing light and learning to underserved communities and students. 

The public education system has always needed champions fighting to make it better. Snyder was one of those champions, creating community buildings with the same care and quality that the Gilded Age elite built their extravagant mansions. He carved out safe spaces for the greater good, and many still exist today. 

What would the New York City public school system look like without CBJ Snyder? Would the majestic monuments still have been built? Or would those buildings have instead festered in the dark, without fresh air, afterthoughts stuck on unfavorable street corners? 

In “The Battle for the Slum,” muckraking journalist Jacob Riis wrote of Snyder’s schools, saying, “he does that which no other architect before his time ever did or tried; he builds them beautiful. In him New York has one of those rare men who open windows for the soul of their time.” 

Snyder didn’t just build schools for the community; he built a future for New York. 

The post Charles B.J. Snyder: The Man Who Built New York City’s Schools appeared first on CitySignal.

What Is Federal Style Architecture?

Federal architecture was a historical architecture style used during the late 18th century and early 19th century, or roughly 1790-1835. The name came from the era in which the design style prevailed, the Federalist Era, and was heavily inspired by both Thomas Jefferson and Andrea Palladio’s Palladian architecture style.

Common characteristics of Federal architecture include:

• Smooth, one-dimensional surfaces
• Focused details in the windows and panes, trims, and other secondary accents.
• Row houses
• Interior rooms shaped as octagons or oval
• Bald Eagle symbols are embellishments
• A number of windows line each floor’s walls.
• Classicism-based architecture  

Think you’ve never seen Federal architecture in action? Think again. One of the most notorious Federal architecture builds is the White House itself, which paved the way for the architectural style to take off soon thereafter. If you’re looking for examples of the prominent architectural design in New York City, you won’t need to go far – they’re everywhere you look. Here are a few examples to get you trained for spotting federal-style buildings on your next walk. 

58 Bleecker Street

Perhaps most iconic is the federal-style row of homes on the historic portion of Bleecker Street. Built in 1823 by a member of the Roosevelt bloodline, 58 Bleecker, which was later renumbered, was built during the tail-end of the Federal-style period. Bleecker Street saw an uptick in notable citizens moving to Bleecker Street, settling in and building new homes as desired, one of which was Roosevelt’s Bleecker Street two-story row home.

Eventually, the property would be taken over by the first female physician in America, Elizabeth Blackwell, who would transition the space to an infirmary for women and children soon after. The property would continue to change hands, even the floors being devoted to different causes before being remodeled and only standing as an echo of what Roosevelt intended hundreds of years ago.

Hamilton-Holly House

Another significant player in New York City’s federal-era architecture is the East Village’s Hamilton-Holly House. Built in 1831 and home to Elizabeth Hamilton. If the name sounds familiar, that’s because Eliza was the wife and widow of founding father Alexander Hamilton. Later, the son of Eliza and Alexander, Alexander Hamilton Jr., would go on to purchase the townhome and live with his mother, wife, and child, as well as his sister and husband-in-law. Today, the building has been deemed a landmark, being rented out and renovated, with the exterior still remaining true to the federal style.

40 Hicks Street

Hicks Street is home to a couple of homes that enforced federal-style architecture. Located in Brooklyn Heights and built in 1831, 40 Hicks Street is nestled into a time capsule of New York City’s historical and architectural past. The home was originally owned by a tradesman, common for the neighborhood, named Michael Vanderhoef. While 40 Hicks does not have as detailed of a history as other landmarks, pieces have been stitched together to create a story for Vanderhoef’s time at home.

It was believed that he likely rented out rooms of the home to help pay for the cost of the home, which shouldn’t have been too difficult considering the convenient location to the docks. After some time, the home was broken up, and it was reported in the mid-1900s to have the first floor be a store before being converted into the multi-family home that it is today. Much like other federal-style buildings of New York, the interior may have evolved to reflect the needs of the modern day, but the exteriors largely remain tributes to their roots.

MacDougal Street

History lovers flock to Greenwich Village for a number of reasons, but for those looking to hone in on federal-style buildings: you’ll just need a quick trip to MacDougal Street. Located at 127, 129, and 131 MacDougal are three different homes that were built in 1829, later becoming landmarks in the early 2000s.

Not only have these landmarks remained as a reminder of what once was in the city, but they’ve also played a significant role in the evolvement of some of the city’s most prolific and vulnerable communities: a member of the LGBTQ+ community, minorities, and immigrants. An epicenter for culture and historical prominence in the city, these buildings would go on to become multi-functional, with both ground commercial units and residences on the upper floors.

The Admiral’s House – Governors Island

Located on Governors Island in New York Harbor is The Admiral’s House, formerly referred to as the Commanding General’s Quarters. This home functioned as the sleeping quarters for the commanding officer when Governors Island was formerly an Army Post. While the island would later transition to being a base for the Coast Guard and one location for Coast Guard command and operations, and then the national landmark it is today.

The home itself is only two stories with a basement and intricate details along the trim, porches, and cornice. When initially petitioning the Landmarks Preservation Commission for landmark status, one of the primary arguments was, “The Admiral’s House on Governors Island is a superb example of a late Federal style manor house, that it has excellent architectural proportions and superior details, that it is imposing in appearance and befitting to the illustrious generals who were resident commanders in its spacious quarters, and that it now serves as a gracious home for the resident Admiral of the Coast Guard.”

Willow Street

Willow Street is home to a number of federal-styled architecture, one of which is 45 Willow. The property, initially built in the 1820s, has changed significantly over the years with renovations wall to wall while trying its best to preserve the exterior charm that federal-style buildings provided. Aside from the initial historical significance, the home also received another boost in value as Alice Recknagel Ireys, a famed landscape architect, put a one-of-a-kind spin on the home’s landscape while living at the residence. People interested in something similar can find many Federal Style homes and buildings up and down the streets of Brooklyn Heights.

Conclusion

Residences boasting the famed federal-style architecture are decorated in history and decadence. Not only do these properties have strong ties to the country’s origins as the style was borne out of a time of formation for the United States, but they’ve also housed historical figures and played key roles in the country’s evolution forward, not only New York City’s. Next time you’re out and about, keep your eyes peeled for one of the mentioned buildings are spot your own! 

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