NYC Icons

New York City is an architecture lover’s dream. 

People come from all over the world to see places like the art deco Chrysler Building. 

 Mostly because they have seen them in movies I think. 

But it must be pretty amazing to see the Empire State Building for the first time.  

And visiting the Guggenheim is so much fun that I even enjoyed it as a child. 

Touring the UN is another interesting experience. 

While the Citicorp Building has become a recognizable part of the midtown skyline.

The Flatiron building is another crowd pleaser.

Some places go by other names now. 

Others will only be remembered in our hearts.

Ciao

PJ

© 2013 PJ Lehrer

Brooklyn Bridge Park

As NYC continues its long recovery from the ravages of Superstorm Sandy,

it has been correctly noted that much of the development taking place in the past few years in the city has been on various waterfronts.  

One of our favorites is the new Brooklyn Bridge Park, which is still a work in progress. 

Ultimately it will encompass the entire stretch from Brooklyn Heights to Dumbo. 

But even now it already has some of the finest views of the Manhattan skyline that you’ll ever see. 

Meanwhile it actually weathered the storm fairly well thanks to a design focused on sustainability

which included a wise use of Mother Nature’s tricks to avoid flooding -- pilings,

recycled granite arranged with a slow decline to allow easy access for kayaks, canoes, and ducks

bulkheads, and even plant life that can absorb extreme amounts of salt water.   

As the powers to be consider options to defend NYC against the next storm it is providing some important clues to how we might avoid so much damage in the future.

BTW, the day these photos were taken we had an earthquake.  We were actually walking on the Brooklyn Heights Promenade when it happened.  I felt the shaking and thought “Gee I can’t believe that I feel the traffic from the BQE up here!”

Ciao

PJ

© 2012 PJ Lehrer

High Line Part 1

This week’s newspapers carried the welcome news that construction on the final section of the High Line has begun.  It will cost $90 million to construct and will open in 2014. 

So this seemed like a good time to share some photos from part one.  Part one runs from Gansevoort Street to 20^th Street.  It opened in 2009 and it was an immediate hit. 

It brought green to an area of the city that previously had none and provides a unique perspective for viewing the surrounding area. 

The park weaves around the old railroad tracks and between various buildings taking advantage of whatever space was available when building started in 2006. 

At various points, buildings, like this hotel, straddle it too. 

It gives the park a very organic feel. 

Part one also has some terrific views of the Statue of Liberty

and The Empire State Building. 

While further south it has lovely river views and tables and chairs for lunch breaks.  There are some vendors nearby but of course the big draw is Chelsea Markets just below on 15^th Street.

These lounge chairs are fan favorites and rarely found empty.

All in all, it’s a great park, well worth a visit. 

Ciao
PJ

© 2012 PJ Lehrer