And here it is today, courtesy of Google streetview, with much less sky and more crowded street. That's the Copper Building rising to the right, claiming this block for the up-and-coming. It's rare that one-story structures survive in this town. How much longer does such a prime corner have?
"How much longer does such a prime corner have?"
ReplyDeleteNot much.
Part of my "doomed corners" collection. Ditto for the southeast corner of 14th and A.
And 14th and C, where the auto parts store closed up....
And 14th and 3rd, where Robin Raj used to be.
so pretty much all of 14th Street...
ReplyDeleteLet's not forget Rite Aid on first and 5th.
ReplyDeleteWhile I prefer a low-rise building to a high-rise, I don't see one story structures as better than, let's say, three story buildings.
Great Photo...
ReplyDeleteI see the sign advertising the "1940 Plymouth", so we can guess at the date of this picture. As a curiosity though, was the original dated or was a photographer cited?
During that time frame, on the north side of 14th and B would be "The Gas House District" and not Stuyvesant Town which wasn't built until after WWII.
And in "the more things change the more they remain the same" department, the one story building on the SE corner with the Coca-Cola Signs, is still a diner 70 years later!
14 & b, don't be surprised if someone will use this as the name for their new bar, lounge, hotel, restaurant, whatnot
ReplyDeleteHey guys,
ReplyDeleteWhy are these corners doomed exactly? To what, high rises? That's unlikely with Peter and Jacob in two directions. Or a new commercial space? Not sure what you mean.
It's also interesting the the two 6-story tenements on either side of the low-rise seem to have been replaced with shorter buildings.
ReplyDeletei love housing projects
ReplyDeleteI know the point of this post is to point out how much has changed/been lost. However, when I see these pictures and videos (like the Astor Place video) I'm astounded how much is still there. The fact that these neighborhoods are still so recognizable is beyond amazing to me. It actually makes me hopeful that the city isn't disappearing nearly as fast as I was afraid it is.
ReplyDeletetrue, this spot hasn't changed much--but it's coming, the wave of glass buildings and artisanal food. it's coming.
ReplyDeleteOh, Jere, how 2009 of you! It's "carefully curated" food now.
ReplyDeleteI think the most shockingly unbuilt corner HAS to be NW 14th and 1st.
ReplyDeletei like 14st east! it becomes a night mare as you go past 3rd to 8th ave. then another world @ 9th!
ReplyDelete