Frank Jump at the Fading Ad Blog spotted it, too. He did some research and connected the sign to the Berger Manufacturing Company, specializing in "artistic designs in metal ceilings."
So what building was demolished to reveal the sign?
It was 547 West 21st Street--former home of the Eagle's Nest, the gay leather bar that opened just after Stonewall and closed in 2000. Prior, the Eagle's Nest had been a longshoreman's bar called the Eagle Open Kitchen from 1931-1970.
In 2010, the long abandoned bar became a temporary art gallery. Its beautifully decorative pressed-tin ceilings were on full display there, and at the high-end furniture shop it later became. Who knows, maybe the artistic metal ceilings were made by the Berger Manufacturing Company.
The building was also home to several artist studios.
The site sold for $32 million and its space will yield a 19-story residential tower with luxury retail. It will, most likely, cover up that ghost sign once again.
possible design, from WiredNY
Previously:
Men in Leather
Eagle's Nest
Eagle's Nest Update
9 comments:
The building ended its life as artists studios.
Hey Jeremiah,
Here is what is very likely the last video footage shot inside the Eagle's Nest in 2001. I got permission from the owner to shoot and record the interior during the daytime hours to preserve the memory of the space:
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=x2AbvBpeS20
Hey Jeremiah,
Here is what is very likely the last footage shot inside the Eagle's Nest in 2001. I got permission from the owner to shoot video inside the place during the daytime hours to preserve the memory of the place:
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=x2AbvBpeS20
No! I've always loved this building...and will have to dig through my archives as I have many photos of the interior.
The art gallery next door had a passageway into a room on the ground floor that was decorated as a Roman bath with mirrored ceilings and frescoes on the wall. Does anyone know anything about that?
Goggla, i hope you find those photos! love to see that.
Jeremiah:
Are you sure you're not confusing the Eagle with the Spike? The Spike became a gallery (The Spike Gallery ironically) after it closed & then a few things after that but I don't remember the Eagle being anything after it was boarded up & it remained so for many years.
i am the grandson of the original owner of the eagle and SAW AND KNOW how the transformation took place cause i was there and both places were amazing......i have memorabilia and pieces that were brought over not to mention pictures that noone would ever have.......
Jay, please email me at jeremoss@yahoo.com. thanks!
This is Jay Frankel...the grandson of the original owner oF " THE EAGLE OPEN KITCHEN " IN REPLY TO :
The art gallery next door had a passageway into a room on the ground floor that was decorated as a Roman bath with mirrored ceilings and frescoes on the wall. Does anyone know anything about that?
That mirrored room used to be the dining room when grandpa had it as a restaurant....i grew up in that bar so anyone who wants the REAL truth and history can reach out to me
palmbchboy1968@yahoo.com
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