Hartford, Connecticut, USA (44th largest metro in America)

city pop: 125,000

metro pop: 1,250,000

http://atlas.imagemagician.com/images/marybethdallas/HartfordxskylinexAprilx2003xbigx3xBIGAAcropped.jpg

http://atlas.imagemagician.com/images/marybethdallas/HartfordxnightxSummerx2003xsmallxlongerxdarker.jpg

http://www.ctjobsearch.com/images/hartford.jpg

http://www.ctprivateye.com/images/Hartford.gif

http://vvv.state.ct.us/images/photos/tr1299.jpg

http://mishilo.image.pbase.com/u24/tomrok/upload/14116001.Htfd.Aerial.jpg

http://www.peopleofgoodwill.com/Hartford%20Skyline/fromcapitol04.jpg

agreed, a very nicely proportioned skyline, complimented with some nice buildings


8

Not bad at all....8

I like it and its not that bad :angel1: :) So i'll give it a .... 7/10

beautiful. but still lacks some things. 6.5/10

Great pics of Hartford Marybeth. For a city it's size 10/10. Beautiful buildings both old and new.

Very few cities of this size worldwide have as impressive and ecclectic a skyline as Hartford.

The city looks nice, but the skyline, besides a few older buildings, is bland. 5/10

I couldn't disagree more. There is nothing at all bland about the skyline. The buildings are from different time periods and many are very unique.

The Travelers Tower is a gem built in 1919,

The Phoenix Building is the first two sided building ever built. (not visible in those pics).

I love the Gold Glass of One Financial Plaza.

Goodwin Square is another great design.

8/10

8

Hartford has a VERY impressive skyline for its size... great height and some of those old towers are amazing

8/10



for a city of its pop.

Hartford's skyline is truly amazing.

Unfortunately, Hartford is a "Should Be" Great City.

Perfectly situated, great amentities, (relatively) healthy economy, historically as significant as (but completely overwhelmed) by Boston and Massachusetts boosters (what's new?).

Hartford is naturally a beautiful city, framed by romantic hills and a great, tidal river (the Connecticut).

The Wadsworth Atheneum is America's oldest (and most underrated) art museum. Hartford was the birthplace and inspiration of Frederick Law Olmsted - the "father" of modern urban design and landscape architecture.

It's current condition is truly tragic. Hartford has the resources to emerge as a contender on the international urban scene if it had leadership and vision.

Gather all ye urbanites! Visit Hartford and see the truly horrific effects of anti-urban development AND the utter beauty of a city with untapped potential!

I'll give it 5.5/10 buildings look nice,but skyline is not impressive :)

nice building
7/10

5.5/10 nice one considering it's population. once again the modern boxes and art deco scrapers mix in a small city charm

8/10

7/10

these aren't my pictures, a friend recently sent them to me. This is looking down upon Hartford from a hill in Manchester (which is about 6 miles away as the crow flies)

make sure you are not compressing internet graphics on your internet settings or these pictures will come out rather blurry.

http://atlas.imagemagician.com/images/marybethdallas/HartfordxskylinexfromxManchesterx9xhalfxsize.jpg

http://atlas.imagemagician.com/images/marybethdallas/HartfordxskylinexfromxManchesterx5xhalfxsiize.jpg

Originally posted by UrbanDesigner

Hartford's skyline is truly amazing.

Unfortunately, Hartford is a "Should Be" Great City.

Perfectly situated, great amentities, (relatively) healthy economy, historically as significant as (but completely overwhelmed) by Boston and Massachusetts boosters (what's new?).

Hartford is naturally a beautiful city, framed by romantic hills and a great, tidal river (the Connecticut).

The Wadsworth Atheneum is America's oldest (and most underrated) art museum. Hartford was the birthplace and inspiration of Frederick Law Olmsted - the "father" of modern urban design and landscape architecture.

It's current condition is truly tragic. Hartford has the resources to emerge as a contender on the international urban scene if it had leadership and vision.

Gather all ye urbanites! Visit Hartford and see the truly horrific effects of anti-urban development AND the utter beauty of a city with untapped potential!

I can't argue that Hartford's current condition is tragic, however, there are many signs of change. My own personal situation speaks to Hartford's possible resurgance. I just moved up here from Texas 7 months ago. I moved here mainly for my job, but what convinced me to ultimately come to Hartford was the positive news I had been hearing about revitalizing the CBD. There are many projects currently underway to improve the streetscapes and living conditions of the people of Hartford's urban core.

Here are some examples:

-A convention center is currently under construction and is 50% complete. (this won't really help the living conditions of the people per se, but it will attract outsiders to the area)

-A 409 room downtown Marriott Hotel just broke ground last week.

-There is construction of about 200 upscale apartments in the downtown area currently underway.

- A 36 story residential high-rise is slated to break ground in November which will add over 260 more upscale apartments downtown. The company building the tower is also going to re construct the bland, lifeless civic center mall.

-A project called "Front Street" is said to be breaking ground anytime now, with over 200 more upscale apartments planned, as well as new restauarants, retail, and various entertainment venues.

These projects convinced me that Hartford is trying to claw it's way back to it's former self. It is going to be a battle, no doubt, especially because the many locals I have talked to have such a bad impression of Hartford. People in the city as well as the suburbs almost laugh when someone suggests Hartford might be on it's way back. Basically, no one believes, and frankly, not many people seem to care. This is a big problem for Hartford-the perception of the city as a crime ridden hellhole, which keeps people out of the city. I do believe however that these perceptions will slowly change as more and more improvements are made to the downtown area. Once people have a reason to go downtown after 5pm, I think they will like it. Right now, there aren't many options except for bars and clubs.

Very Nice! After comparing Hartford's skyline to others of similar size, I say it deserves a 7.5.

7/10

Nice little contpact city with no really ugly towers and nice sounds
Still has denity despite lack off talls
over all as city ans is skline get 7 from me

7

I'm sure it is better in person than these still photos.

I really like those distance shots looking west. very nice.

Nice city. 8/10
It's small, but there are many buildings.
Here in Brazil a city of 120.000 hab is a "town". No impressive buildings, only houses, houses, houses ... and a church.
HEheh

Originally posted by Yarwinish

Nice city. 8/10
It's small, but there are many buildings.
Here in Brazil a city of 120.000 hab is a "town". No impressive buildings, only houses, houses, houses ... and a church.
HEheh

The 124,000 city population is a little deceiving as Hartford is the Central City in a Metro Area of 1,300,000 based on the new CSA guidelines established by the US Census Bureau.

The city of Hartford itself is only 17 square miles giving the city a density of roughly 7300 people per square mile.

Gave this city a 5, it looks like a NICE downtown sector, but the lack of skyscrapers just doesn't cut it =/

Originally posted by skIq

Gave this city a 5, it looks like a NICE downtown sector, but the lack of skyscrapers just doesn't cut it =/


I disagree. I think that 3 500 footers for a city this size is quite impessive.

8, its ok, it could use a building like the aegon center in louisville, principal tower in des moines, or bell south building in nashville and it would be an awesome skyline.

The Travelers Tower is historically important but I've seen better. The side is so narrow that it lacks that commanding presence associated with most towers of its kind.

Maybe the pictures don't do it justice but the tallest building (can't think of the name of it) does nothing for me. Big but rather blah.

Ironically, I'm not a fan of typical '70's architecture but I actually like the gold building.

Still a nice compact skyline 6.5/10

I,ve driven though Hartford many times and am always impressed with the skyline compared to larger New England cities,except of course Boston,ProvidenceR.I.,worcestor and springfield mass don,t even come close!

Pleasant, but nothing amazingly beautiful.

Seems nice though. 7

Hartford has an impressive skyline for the size of its metro. Too bad it can't annex its surround cities and towns so the city population would go up, and the city itself would get healthier.

Originally posted by tocoto

Hartford has an impressive skyline for the size of its metro. Too bad it can't annex its surround cities and towns so the city population would go up, and the city itself would get healthier.


I agree. But it will never happen. Connecticut cities and towns are as autonomous as counties are in most states.

4/10

The typical american small town, this bunch of little buildings could be the capital of Jamaica or Timbuctu :?

7/10

Nice mix of towers.

I was reading an old issue of National Geographic in English today and it said every window facing the state house downtown, must pay $100 per window, thats crazy!

6.5

10/10 :)


I love the mix of old and new and the placement of the buildings in relation to one another! :D

I was reading an old issue of National Geographic in English today and it said every window facing the state house downtown, must pay $100 per window, thats crazy!

I read that recently as well. I believe the article also stated that it was voluntary but most corporations do pay. The funds all go to preserve the Old State House (America's oldest).

Hartford's insurance companies can certainly afford it.

The 124,000 city population is a little deceiving as Hartford is the Central City in a Metro Area of 1,300,000 based on the new CSA guidelines established by the US Census Bureau.

The city of Hartford itself is only 17 square miles giving the city a density of roughly 7300 people per square mile.

Darrell,

I'm very impressed! It's unusual to find someone - even from Connecticut - who is aware of how unique and dense my hometown is! Bravo!!! :applause:

The skyline is better than that of other US cities of its size.
7/10

The best skyline in New England...after Boston!

Quite nice for a city of that size!

Terrific skyline for a city this size, quite surprising actually. I'd give it a 9/10

Very nice and beautiful skyline .. i like this one very much !!

9/10

i like this city because there(and in Stars Hollow) go on my favourit series(Gilmore Girls:))
skyline very impressiv,i can't believ that city with skyline like that has only 125000 inhabitants:)
8.0/10;)

dont forget there are 1,277,000 in the metro

I give the city a 9. Haven't been to Hartford that often but it looks great from what I see in the pictures. Tell us some more about the city's history, as it is beginning to fascinate me!

7.0. Average.

wow,i even don't know this place but it has a better skyline than almost every european city!

Its...dense....7

Hartford Skyline Facts:

Travelers Tower at 527 feet was completed in 1919. When built, it was the 7th tallest office building in the world, behind five in New York City and one in Phildadelphia.

In the early 60s many city blocks were demolished in what was known as the Front Street neighborhood to make way for Constitution Plaza, a beautiful, yet sterile, set of Office buildings as well as Interstate 91. These projects only served as a barrier between the residents of Hartford and their access to the waterfront on the Connecticut River.

In the late 80s several ambitious skyscraper projects were proposed:
Cutter Financial Center; 111 Pearl Street; 878 feet, 59 stories
180 Allyn Street; 801 feet; 46 stories
Society Center; corner Asylum & Main Streets; 700 feet; 45 stories

This pic was posted originally:

http://img61.exs.cx/img61/3794/april03hartford6ta.jpg

The State Capitol

http://img99.exs.cx/img99/8814/ctcapitol29ui.jpg

Recent Skyline shot showing new Convention Center and Hotel construction.

http://img99.exs.cx/img99/4001/newhartfordskyline4ic.jpg

7/10

8.5.

It's a good skyline for a city of it's size.

Some Hartford Aerials:


http://img61.exs.cx/img61/1333/hartfordaerial7lx.jpg



http://img61.exs.cx/img61/1218/htfdaerialwest7bl.jpg

This aerial is from the late 1980's and is taken from approximately 6 miles southwest of downtown.

http://img154.exs.cx/img154/5367/westfarmsaerial7gc.jpg

A striking antique skyline surrounding a truly magnificent capitol building. 8.

Hartford's a lovely looking city. 8.5/10

Click on thumbnail for larger images


http://img117.exs.cx/img117/6776/capitolfountain1hd.th.jpg (http://img117.exs.cx/my.php?loc=img117&image=capitolfountain1hd.jpg)

http://img117.exs.cx/img117/8307/hartfordfromnorth24uh.th.jpg (http://img117.exs.cx/my.php?loc=img117&image=hartfordfromnorth24uh.jpg)

Good density and nice skyscrapers. 7.5/10

Seems to lack identity to me, but overly good skyline. I give it a 7/10. :okay:

Hartford panorama looking East.


scroll >>>>>>>

http://images5.theimagehosting.com/Hartford.Panorama.1.jpg (http://www.theimagehosting.com)

I'm very impressed. What a charming, attractive skyline. 6/10.

125,000 city proper vs. 1.25 million in the metro. That's a pretty big disparity.

8.5/10 the skyline is pretty impressive in real life, unfortunatley, Hartford is a shit place to live unless you are very wealthy, and even then theres not that much to do.

Rendering of a new residential tower, currently under construction, known as Hartford 21. 440 feet, 134m.

http://images5.theimagehosting.com/Hartford21.1.jpg (http://www.theimagehosting.com)


Connecticut River Regatta:

http://images5.theimagehosting.com/HartfordRegatta.jpg (http://www.theimagehosting.com)

Nice enough I guess. 7/10.

8/10

Hartford on a cloudy day.

http://img14.imgspot.com/u/05/96/06/Hartford.Cloudy.jpg

Connecticut Governor's Mansion @ Prospect and Asylum Avenues.

http://img14.imgspot.com/u/05/96/06/CTGovMansion.jpg

Great for its city population, about fits its metro population! 7.5/10

Great for its city population, about fits its metro population! 7.5/10

I agree with that statement. Actually it would be hard to find a city in the U.S. with a better skyline for the size, 124,000 residents, other than resort communities such as Atlantic City and Miami Beach.

Based on the metro population of 1.3 million it seems just about right.

A beautiful pic from taken from Founders Plaza:

http://images6.theimagehosting.com/HartfordfromFoundersPlaza.jpg (http://www.theimagehosting.com)

7/10- nicely developed, can be bigger though.

7/10

Skyline shot including the recently topped off Hartford 21 Residential Highrise (background center, to left of Gold Building).


http://images6.theimagehosting.com/Hartford21.skyline.jpg (http://www.theimagehosting.com)

Incredible skyline for a city of its size. Hartford is equally impressive at the ground level - although very run-down, the city is a treasure.

6.5/10

beautiful.

9/10

Easy 8/10.

cool 5.5/10

Spectacular Capitol Building.

Decent skyline and nice natural setting.

7/10

very beautiful for a city of that size.
7/10

Not bad at all. More height would give this city more impact. 6/10

the gold building is weird, but it's a nice skyline.
7/10

i'll give it 6

8/10 :)

Quite nice for a small city. 9! :)

7/10

7.5/10

6/10

7/10.

LOL

This is the city with equal metro population and GDP as Dubai?

7/10 :D

never heard of this city, 8.5/10

7/10

8/10

8.5/10

6.5/10

9/10

Quite good for a city under a quarter-million. It looks charming, the buildings look nice, and although it's small, it's also fairly dense.

7/10

7/10

7/10

8/10

7.5/10

7/10

8. Good. Regards.

8/10

6/10

5.5

Taken by me July 2010
8.5/10 Some nice height and density. Major victim of the late 80's recession, otherwise would have one of the better skylines in the entire United States. However, I still love the Traveler's Tower and Capitol Building, and it's by far the 2nd best skyline in New England behind Boston.

http://i424.photobucket.com/albums/pp322/DZH22/Buzzzzzzz/sub/IMG_5425.jpg

http://i424.photobucket.com/albums/pp322/DZH22/Buzzzzzzz/sub/IMG_5428.jpg

http://i424.photobucket.com/albums/pp322/DZH22/Buzzzzzzz/sub/IMG_5430.jpg

http://i424.photobucket.com/albums/pp322/DZH22/Buzzzzzzz/sub/IMG_5432.jpg

http://i424.photobucket.com/albums/pp322/DZH22/Buzzzzzzz/sub/IMG_5433.jpg

http://i424.photobucket.com/albums/pp322/DZH22/Buzzzzzzz/sub/IMG_5437.jpg

http://i424.photobucket.com/albums/pp322/DZH22/Buzzzzzzz/sub/IMG_5440.jpg

http://i424.photobucket.com/albums/pp322/DZH22/Buzzzzzzz/sub/IMG_5452.jpg

I am not sure what to make of this, but I'll give it a 6/10.

From a couple weeks ago

http://i424.photobucket.com/albums/pp322/DZH22/Hartford%20Sept%202010/IMG_6000.jpg

http://i424.photobucket.com/albums/pp322/DZH22/Hartford%20Sept%202010/IMG_5995.jpg

http://i424.photobucket.com/albums/pp322/DZH22/Hartford%20Sept%202010/IMG_6006.jpg

http://i424.photobucket.com/albums/pp322/DZH22/Hartford%20Sept%202010/IMG_6221.jpg

http://i424.photobucket.com/albums/pp322/DZH22/Hartford%20Sept%202010/IMG_6241.jpg

http://i424.photobucket.com/albums/pp322/DZH22/Hartford%20Sept%202010/IMG_6232.jpg

http://i424.photobucket.com/albums/pp322/DZH22/Hartford%20Sept%202010/IMG_6153.jpg

http://i424.photobucket.com/albums/pp322/DZH22/Hartford%20Sept%202010/IMG_6118.jpg

http://i424.photobucket.com/albums/pp322/DZH22/Hartford%20Sept%202010/IMG_6115.jpg

http://i424.photobucket.com/albums/pp322/DZH22/Hartford%20Sept%202010/IMG_6102.jpg

http://i424.photobucket.com/albums/pp322/DZH22/Hartford%20Sept%202010/IMG_6044.jpg

http://i424.photobucket.com/albums/pp322/DZH22/Hartford%20Sept%202010/IMG_6235.jpg

http://i424.photobucket.com/albums/pp322/DZH22/Hartford%20Sept%202010/IMG_6012.jpg

http://i424.photobucket.com/albums/pp322/DZH22/Hartford%20Sept%202010/IMG_6299.jpg

http://i424.photobucket.com/albums/pp322/DZH22/Hartford%20Sept%202010/IMG_6317.jpg

Small but Dense! 6/10!

8/10

5/10 not bad.

http://farm6.static.flickr.com/5257/5405602493_436ac90700_b_d.jpg
http://www.flickr.com/photos/58620912@N04/

http://farm6.static.flickr.com/5211/5406206960_9e02f165ea_b_d.jpg
http://www.flickr.com/photos/58620912@N04/

This and Providence, RI are my favorite smaller skylines of the northeast.

8.5/10. Small but dense and great variety.

Great pics here. :D

I assume that the skyline pics in post #113 are from Hartford Hospital, which is an underrated but good vantage point. Or somewhere in that area?

7/10

7/10

6/10

6/10

5.5/10

7/10