Those so-called "ugly" "old" buildings of New York City

nygirl · July 31st, 2005, 03:32 AM

We always hear it, no matter what we are talking about, in comparison with many other "new" or ("modern") cities , a "fault" is brought up about New York City.
Some say they just don't like Art-Deco, as if Art Deco was the only thing around before there was post modernism. Some argue that More glass makes the buildings beautiful. They say they don't like boxes, as if everything built before 1990 was a box.
In all cases it comes down to just one arguement those few skeptics love to ignite. The fact that New York City is covered from Harlem to the Bowery in Old, Ugly, Decapitated in some cases, but always old and ugly, buildings.
So this thread is dedicated to them. The ones who just cringe at the site of those old ugly buildings.
For the rest of us though, i guess its not a matter of taste so much as it is a matter of CLASS. No they aren't shooting off some hillside to make them look larger than they actually are. . No they arent covered from base to roof in glass. No they don't have flashing Neon Lights but they are BEAUTIFUL . They are still beating with life after all these years and no matter how many new glassy rockets go up elsewhere, theyll never have this :

The Old , Ugly buildings of New York City

20 Exchange Place

The Lincoln Building

The Chanin Building

295 Madison Avenue

Ritz Tower

The Paramount

Metropolitan Life

More pics next post

nygirl · July 31st, 2005, 04:12 AM

The New Yorker Hotel

Standard Oil Building

Irving Trust ( The bank of New York)

Park Row

Barclay Vessy

The Downtown Athletic Club

The Equitable Building

Trinity and US realty

San Remo

U.S. Courthouse

Woolworth Building

The Municiple Building

15 Broad

The Crown

nygirl · July 31st, 2005, 04:26 AM

70 Pine Street ( American International)

30 Rockefeller Plaza

Alwyn Court

Nelson Tower

General Electric Building ( 570 Lex)

[IMG]

[/IMG]

The Waldorf Astoria

The Vanderbuilt

The Empire State Building

500 5th avenue

nygirl · July 31st, 2005, 04:43 AM

The University Club

Beekman Tower

The Carlyle

The Flatiron

Gilsey House

Decker Building

One 5th Avenue

40 Wall Street

The Essex House Hotel & The Hampshire House Hotel

nygirl · July 31st, 2005, 04:59 AM

Liberty Tower

Williamsburg Savings Bank

Chelsea Hotel

Goelet Building

Tudor City

NY Yacht Club

The Plaza Hotel

Lord And Taylor

Hotel Pierre

El Dorado

The Ansonia

Delmonico's

Riverside Church

The Beresford

Ritz- Carlton

The Chrysler Building

***3tmk*** · July 31st, 2005, 04:12 AM

Old and Ugly?
The person who says that must really be jealous, Islander is right. These are just classics and are a proof of a skyline's history. That's what separates NYC and Chicago from Shanghai, Dubai and LA, what makes them better.
BTW, I took a pic of the 20 Exchange Place (almost the same at almost the same place), but I didn't even know its name, with all the downtown towers, it's kinda hard to find any particular one

nygirl · July 31st, 2005, 01:13 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by 3tmk

Old and Ugly?
The person who says that must really be jealous, Islander is right. These are just classics and are a proof of a skyline's history. That's what separates NYC and Chicago from Shanghai, Dubai and LA, what makes them better.
BTW, I took a pic of the 20 Exchange Place (almost the same at almost the same place), but I didn't even know its name, with all the downtown towers, it's kinda hard to find any particular one

My sentiments exactly. Honestly could'nt agree more with you. NYC can always raise a glassy 500 meter building... 400 meter building... 300 meter building.. and speckle the streets with dozens of new modern highrises.. theres plenty of room and time for all that.
All those new modern cities though, theyll never be able to acquire one of these. I wanted to post this in the main city skyline or the Skyscraper forums, just to stick it to em, but i spent too much time doing this thread to let a flame war start so i figured you guys would appreciate this alot more.

We should get the guys over at the chicago forum to check this out so maybe someone can do a dedication thread to the "old" "ugly" buildings of Chicago. I would love to see that.

Third of a kind · July 31st, 2005, 04:53 AM

you've got to be from another planet or something to hate these buildings!!!

swivel · July 31st, 2005, 05:35 AM

now this is my kinda thread.. great post nygirl

from nygirl, to mygiry.. 570 Lexy is just ohso sexy

B.Tinoff · July 31st, 2005, 09:15 AM

This thread is sick!

Diagnosis - sticky.

A42251 · July 31st, 2005, 09:19 AM

The buildings are all priceless treasures that no other city on Earth, aside from Chicago, can come remotely close to approximating.

I love the way these old buildings are mixed in with the newer stuff. It gives the city such a rich architectural tapestry. And its not as if NYC lacks for modern and futuristic buildings. Look at all the beautiful new glass towers that have been built in recent years and are still under construction.

In city vs. city threads, we always hear from supporters of other cities that skyscrapers and architecture don't matter, that they don't make a city. They may not "make" a city, but they make New York's cityscape very special and virtually unique in all the world. Those who trvialize it are just jealous of the fact that their cities can build all they want, but they can never have what NYC has.

The PhantoM · July 31st, 2005, 10:04 AM

that's what i love about NYC, the old art deco buildings.

GVNY · July 31st, 2005, 12:08 PM

Sadly, they don't build them like they use to. I wish they would. I really miss our city of dreaming spires.

swivel · July 31st, 2005, 01:07 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by The PhantoM

that's what i love about NYC, the old art deco buildings.

AMEN

XADE · July 31st, 2005, 02:31 PM

Really good thread, i love that buildings!

Phoenix Ashes · July 31st, 2005, 09:50 PM

Eventually we'll look back on this as the Golden Age of Skyscrapers. Once the International Style came into vogue, the beauty of spires was replaced by the machinery of commerce. Yet humans have this innate love for tapers, setbacks, orrnamentation, and proportion. Something happened to civilization after World War II, and we collectively decided cheap and plain was better than these magnificent buildings.

Dortmund2512 · July 31st, 2005, 11:13 PM

Flatiron Building was the first the skyscraper of the city and it is prettier than other new built skyscraper from the financial district!

EtherealMist · August 6th, 2005, 05:07 AM

beautiful just beautiful!

This is what seperates cities like NY and Chicago from 90% of cities today. They will never have the same history in building sky scrapers.

I love how they ornamented the buildings back then. One of my favorites is the gold atop American Standard building.

Do they construct any building today like they did back the? I mean specifically with the same type of style and ornamentation.

July 31st, 2005, 03:32 AM	#1
nygirl Moderator Join Date: Jul 2003 Location: New York City Posts: 5,920 Likes (Received): 6	Those so-called "ugly" "old" buildings of New York City We always hear it, no matter what we are talking about, in comparison with many other "new" or ("modern") cities , a "fault" is brought up about New York City. Some say they just don't like Art-Deco, as if Art Deco was the only thing around before there was post modernism. Some argue that More glass makes the buildings beautiful. They say they don't like boxes, as if everything built before 1990 was a box. In all cases it comes down to just one arguement those few skeptics love to ignite. The fact that New York City is covered from Harlem to the Bowery in Old, Ugly, Decapitated in some cases, but always old and ugly, buildings. So this thread is dedicated to them. The ones who just cringe at the site of those old ugly buildings. For the rest of us though, i guess its not a matter of taste so much as it is a matter of CLASS. No they aren't shooting off some hillside to make them look larger than they actually are. . No they arent covered from base to roof in glass. No they don't have flashing Neon Lights but they are BEAUTIFUL . They are still beating with life after all these years and no matter how many new glassy rockets go up elsewhere, theyll never have this : The Old , Ugly buildings of New York City 20 Exchange Place The Lincoln Building The Chanin Building 295 Madison Avenue Ritz Tower The Paramount Metropolitan Life more ugly buildings in the next post __________________ Completely attached to New York but completely in love with Chicago. NAKED NEW YORK: A complete tour of New York City, 5 boroughs and immediate Metro: http://www.skyscrapercity.com/forumdisplay.php?f=2202

July 31st, 2005, 03:48 AM	#2
Islander SSP Native Join Date: Jul 2004 Location: New "The Big Apple" York (Manhattan) Posts: 197 Likes (Received): 0	People have called these gorgeous classics ugly? Right... I suppose they're just angry that their city will never get to have buildings like these.

July 31st, 2005, 03:52 AM	#3
nygirl Moderator Join Date: Jul 2003 Location: New York City Posts: 5,920 Likes (Received): 6	The daily News Building Ny Life Insurance Fuller Building The Helmsley Building Bankers Trust 90 West Street 63 Wall Bush Tower American Standard 120 Wall Street The Sherry Netherland The Mcgraw Hill Building More pics next post __________________ Completely attached to New York but completely in love with Chicago. NAKED NEW YORK: A complete tour of New York City, 5 boroughs and immediate Metro: http://www.skyscrapercity.com/forumdisplay.php?f=2202 Last edited by nygirl; July 31st, 2005 at 04:16 AM.

July 31st, 2005, 04:12 AM	#4
nygirl Moderator Join Date: Jul 2003 Location: New York City Posts: 5,920 Likes (Received): 6	The New Yorker Hotel Standard Oil Building Irving Trust ( The bank of New York) Park Row Barclay Vessy The Downtown Athletic Club The Equitable Building Trinity and US realty San Remo U.S. Courthouse Woolworth Building The Municiple Building 15 Broad The Crown __________________ Completely attached to New York but completely in love with Chicago. NAKED NEW YORK: A complete tour of New York City, 5 boroughs and immediate Metro: http://www.skyscrapercity.com/forumdisplay.php?f=2202 Last edited by nygirl; July 31st, 2005 at 04:33 AM.

July 31st, 2005, 04:26 AM	#5
nygirl Moderator Join Date: Jul 2003 Location: New York City Posts: 5,920 Likes (Received): 6	70 Pine Street ( American International) 30 Rockefeller Plaza Alwyn Court Nelson Tower General Electric Building ( 570 Lex) [IMG][/IMG] The Waldorf Astoria The Vanderbuilt The Empire State Building 500 5th avenue __________________ Completely attached to New York but completely in love with Chicago. NAKED NEW YORK: A complete tour of New York City, 5 boroughs and immediate Metro: http://www.skyscrapercity.com/forumdisplay.php?f=2202

July 31st, 2005, 04:43 AM	#6
nygirl Moderator Join Date: Jul 2003 Location: New York City Posts: 5,920 Likes (Received): 6	The University Club Beekman Tower The Carlyle The Flatiron Gilsey House Decker Building One 5th Avenue 40 Wall Street The Essex House Hotel & The Hampshire House Hotel __________________ Completely attached to New York but completely in love with Chicago. NAKED NEW YORK: A complete tour of New York City, 5 boroughs and immediate Metro: http://www.skyscrapercity.com/forumdisplay.php?f=2202

July 31st, 2005, 04:59 AM	#7
nygirl Moderator Join Date: Jul 2003 Location: New York City Posts: 5,920 Likes (Received): 6	Liberty Tower Williamsburg Savings Bank Chelsea Hotel Goelet Building Tudor City NY Yacht Club The Plaza Hotel Lord And Taylor Hotel Pierre El Dorado The Ansonia Delmonico's Riverside Church The Beresford Ritz- Carlton The Chrysler Building __________________ Completely attached to New York but completely in love with Chicago. NAKED NEW YORK: A complete tour of New York City, 5 boroughs and immediate Metro: http://www.skyscrapercity.com/forumdisplay.php?f=2202

July 31st, 2005, 04:12 AM	#8
*3tmk* Dennis Rodman Join Date: Nov 2002 Location: Pyongyang Posts: 10,290	Old and Ugly? The person who says that must really be jealous, Islander is right. These are just classics and are a proof of a skyline's history. That's what separates NYC and Chicago from Shanghai, Dubai and LA, what makes them better. BTW, I took a pic of the 20 Exchange Place (almost the same at almost the same place), but I didn't even know its name, with all the downtown towers, it's kinda hard to find any particular one __________________ .SuperpoliS .

July 31st, 2005, 04:53 AM	#10
Third of a kind metrocard millionaire Join Date: Jun 2004 Posts: 1,277 Likes (Received): 1	you've got to be from another planet or something to hate these buildings!!!

July 31st, 2005, 05:35 AM	#11
swivel jive turkey Join Date: Feb 2004 Location: Dallas Posts: 2,360 Likes (Received): 0	now this is my kinda thread.. great post nygirl from nygirl, to mygiry.. 570 Lexy is just ohso sexy __________________ www.theurbanfabric.com

July 31st, 2005, 09:15 AM	#12
B.Tinoff Registered User Join Date: Aug 2004 Posts: 133 Likes (Received): 0	This thread is sick! Diagnosis - sticky.

July 31st, 2005, 09:19 AM	#13
A42251 Registered User Join Date: Sep 2004 Posts: 441 Likes (Received): 0	The buildings are all priceless treasures that no other city on Earth, aside from Chicago, can come remotely close to approximating. I love the way these old buildings are mixed in with the newer stuff. It gives the city such a rich architectural tapestry. And its not as if NYC lacks for modern and futuristic buildings. Look at all the beautiful new glass towers that have been built in recent years and are still under construction. In city vs. city threads, we always hear from supporters of other cities that skyscrapers and architecture don't matter, that they don't make a city. They may not "make" a city, but they make New York's cityscape very special and virtually unique in all the world. Those who trvialize it are just jealous of the fact that their cities can build all they want, but they can never have what NYC has.

July 31st, 2005, 10:04 AM	#14
The PhantoM I Love NYC Join Date: Apr 2005 Location: AMSTERDAM Posts: 254 Likes (Received): 0	that's what i love about NYC, the old art deco buildings.

July 31st, 2005, 12:08 PM	#15
GVNY Metropolis Join Date: Feb 2004 Location: Old Tacoma, Washington Posts: 929 Likes (Received): 0	Sadly, they don't build them like they use to. I wish they would. I really miss our city of dreaming spires.

July 31st, 2005, 02:31 PM	#17
XADE MADRID'S EAST Join Date: Feb 2005 Location: Madrid Posts: 67 Likes (Received): 0	Really good thread, i love that buildings!

July 31st, 2005, 09:50 PM	#18
Phoenix Ashes Registered User Join Date: Jun 2005 Posts: 182 Likes (Received): 0	Eventually we'll look back on this as the Golden Age of Skyscrapers. Once the International Style came into vogue, the beauty of spires was replaced by the machinery of commerce. Yet humans have this innate love for tapers, setbacks, orrnamentation, and proportion. Something happened to civilization after World War II, and we collectively decided cheap and plain was better than these magnificent buildings.

July 31st, 2005, 11:13 PM	#19
Dortmund2512 Registered User Join Date: May 2005 Posts: 73 Likes (Received): 0	Flatiron Building was the first the skyscraper of the city and it is prettier than other new built skyscraper from the financial district!

August 6th, 2005, 05:07 AM	#20
EtherealMist The World Is Yours Join Date: Jul 2005 Location: Boston / Northern NJ Posts: 1,206 Likes (Received): 0	beautiful just beautiful! This is what seperates cities like NY and Chicago from 90% of cities today. They will never have the same history in building sky scrapers. I love how they ornamented the buildings back then. One of my favorites is the gold atop American Standard building. Do they construct any building today like they did back the? I mean specifically with the same type of style and ornamentation.

Thread Tools
Show Printable Version Email this Page
Display Modes
Switch to Linear Mode Hybrid Mode Switch to Threaded Mode