What's Life Like in New York City?

[mikeyank]

This looks like a bargain on East 70th Street in Manhattan, at least it was in the 1940’s

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I googled the same address and this is what it looks like today. What a difference 80 years make.

 

[br6205]

I am not sure the outside is an improvement, Mike.

 

[mikeyank]

I am not sure the outside is an improvement, Mike.

There definitely was a charm to the 1940’s look, but life marches on. By the way, starting in the 1960’s NYC began the “Landmarks Preservation Commission” where both individual buildings and entire neighborhoods could be designated historic and no changes could be made to the exterior of buildings designated as such, without approval from the commission. This started after the destruction of the magnificent old Pennsylvania Station to build the current Madison Square Garden. Then developers wanted to do the same thing with Grand Central Station, and Jacqueline Kennedy Onassis who was living ine city began the fight to save the station and the landmarks commission began.

My own neighborhood of Brooklyn Heights became the first neighborhood designated as an “historic district” which is why the old townhouses and brownstones remain looking the same as they did over 100 years ago. I like modern action but I also love preserving the old. Any neighborhood that is designated as a historic district has special brown street signs.

 

[tampa24]

This looks like a bargain on East 70th Street in Manhattan, at least it was in the 1940’s

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I wonder what they were asking per room. Might it have been something like $15 a month? haha

 

[tampa24]

I like the idea of enforcing the keeping of the historic outsides of the buildings the same. As long however as you can bring modern conveniences inside. haha

 

[br6205]

Me, too. I think prices even back then were the same wrt to salaries.

 

[mikeyank]

Today is an unusually warm 60 degree December day here, and so I decided to visit the newest and final section of Brooklyn Bridge Park a little while ago. The first section opened in 2010 and last week the final section opened. It is called Emily Roebling Plaza, named after the wife of the designer of the Brooklyn Bridge. He became ill and died while the bridge was under construction, and she became the architect and directed the completion of the world’s largest suspension bridge at that time. It was also the first bridge connecting Brooklyn to Manhattan. It was completed in the late 1890’s.

There used to be a New York City Purchase Department warehouse there which was razed to give clear access to the base of the bridge. They kept the old stone signage from the warehouse to honor it. It is pretty cool to be able to stand directly under the bridge looking across the East River towards Manhattan.







I can’t seem to delete the shot that came out sideways below, so be it.

 

[mikeyank]

Here are a few other shots I took today in the same vicinity in DUMBO, (Down Under Manhattan Bridge Underpass) neighborhood.







And walking back into Brooklyn Heights a shot of the December late afternoon sky.

 

[mikeyank]

Plymouth Church

I decided to walk up Orange Street on my way home to show Plymouth Church which was pastored by Henry Ward Beecher in the 1860’s who was a leading abolitionist who was part of the “Underground Railroad” that transported runaway slaves into Canada and freedom. This is the church and the courtyard with the statue of him, with a relief of Abraham Lincoln off to the side.

 

[br6205]

Thanks, Mike but frankly looks cold.

 

[mikeyank]

Thanks, Mike but frankly looks cold.

Actually 62 degrees this afternoon. Verrry warm for December 16th in NYC. In fact I was sorry I wore such a heavy coat. The cold is coming soon though………Always does.

 

[br6205]

Right you did say that. Global warming continues

 

[tampa24]

Yes. Thanks Mikey. To me it looks cold too. haha But what a wondrous city.

 

[mikeyank]

I did look at the pics again and it is a winter sky as it is winter. But I promise you it was a very comfortable, balmy 60 degree day. I may have more pics tonight as I am meeting a friend in mid town today to do Christmas in Manhattan, Bryant Park’s Christmas Village, Fifth Avenue store windows and Rockefeller Center Tree. And I will leave my heavy winter coat home again.

 

[br6205]

Mike stay ,warm, with the longest nite of the year days away ,on clear nites of even warm days it usually cools very rapidly so please keep that in mind. I would not want you to freeze or get sick.

 

[mikeyank]

It was a balmy sixty degree day again and I met my friend and we had a nice outdoor lunch in Bryant Park’s Christmas Village before beginning our journey up Fifth Avenue checking out store fronts, decorations the Rockefeller Center Tree, a trip to Central Park and then back again after dusk. A very nice way to spend a December day that felt like March.

 

[br6205]

TY Mike for the great pictures. It takes me back to my olden times in NY eons ago.

 

[mikeyank]

TY Mike for the great pictures. It takes me back to my olden times in NY eons ago.

Glad you liked it br. It’s probably not something I will do every year, but it was great to experience the sights and sounds of the city at Christmastime and the energy of the people out there enjoying it all too. I had a fun day.

 

[br6205]

Glad you liked it br. It’s probably not something I will do every year, but it was great to experience the sights and sounds of the city at Christmastime and the energy of the people out there enjoying it all too. I had a fun day.

I am so glad for you & I hope you are able & willing to do so for many, many years to cum!

 

[tampa24]

I'm really enjoying the almost real-time pics of daily life in NYC Mikey. Thank you for sharing them.