Chelsea, 30th Street Between Seventh and Sixth Avenues

Mary Sargent © 2010 ………………….…………… ………………….. click to enlarge

Here is the landmarked building I promised.  It is the Cass Gilbert, only recently named after its architect, upon being converted to condominiums.  You may know Cass Gilbert as the architect of the Woolworth Building, at one time the world's tallest building.  Also the U.S. Courthouse.  This building, then, built in 1927-28, was unusual for him, in that it was really a manufacturing loft building, built for the fur industry which had recently begun developing in this area.

In 2003, the developer, Henry Justin, divided the building into 45 condominium units and it sold out within 60 days.  He had received permission from the architect's grandson to use the name.  According to the New York Times, Justin said that if the grandson had refused, he might have named it the "Beaver Pelt Building."

Had that occurred, it may have taken longer than 60 days to sell out.




Mary Sargent © 2010 ………………….…………… ………………….. click to enlarge

Here's a close-up of one of the entrances showing terra cotta reliefs of chariots and roaring lions, part of the reason for its landmarked status.  Those of you interested in stuff like this should go to the report of the Landmarks Preservation Commission.  I love those reports; this one talks about the neighborhood, the architect, why it makes sense that he designed this building (it was a social connection), the design, what a loft building requires, the zoning law which required setbacks, architectural terra cotta, and finally, why they gave it landmark status.  Every question I could possibly have, they answer.

By the way, this is right next to the also landmarked 23 Police Precinct Station House, seen here at the beginning of this walk on June 29.

Chelsea, 30th Street at Sixth Avenue

Mary Sargent © 2010 ……………..…….…………… ………………….. click to enlarge

Look familiar?  There's that construction wall; yes, I'm walking back down the same block, and, as it happened, I discovered a landmarked building I'd missed before.  I'll show it to you tomorrow.

Chelsea, 30th Street Between Sixth Avenue and Broadway

Mary Sargent © 2010 ………………......….…………… ………………….. click to enlarge

The luckiest thing about this happy accident of color and pattern is the blue bag.  Try blocking it out and see what's missing.  See?  (Blue is the complement of orange; each intensifies the other.)

Chelsea, 30th Street Between Sixth Avenue and Broadway

Mary Sargent © 2010 ………………….……… …..........................…………….. click to enlarge

Here's the end of the block at Broadway with the Umpire State Building in the back.

Chelsea, 30th Street Between Sixth Avenue and Broadway

Mary Sargent © 2010 ………………….…………… ........………………….. click to enlarge

At last we've reached a new block, new territory.  It's a short one.  I was stuck in front of this awful looking building for a while trying to figure out how it got that way.  I was speculating that an adjoining building had been torn down, but plans to build another skyscraper had fallen through and this bright low temporary building had been thrown up.  Luckily I found a garage worker who set me straight.





Mary Sargent © 2010 ………………….…………… ………………….. click to enlarge

Omar told me that a sign had been put there and then the sign owner stopped paying for it, so they ripped it off.  This must stop.

While I was searching for the answer to how those signs are attached, I discovered they are called building banners or building wraps and are promoted as being attractive and spectacular, among other things.  I didn't see any indication that they were attached with adhesive, so if Omar had the story right, I guess we can assume this was a low tech effort.

See map.

Chelsea, 30th Street Between Seventh and Sixth Avenues

Mary Sargent © 2010 ………………….…………… ………………….. click to enlarge

I really thought I was going to cross Sixth Avenue tonight and show you a brand new block, but then it became impossible to omit this nicely weird photo.  I was interested in the decrepit old building back there and then that car drove by.

Chelsea, 30th Street at Sixth Avenue

Had quite a time in Kansas City at my family reunion. I got home yesterday and slept 10 hours. Kansas City is an interesting and beautiful city from the little I saw. My only regret is that I didn't have a chance to get out for some barbecue. We did have some home grilled barbecue which was wonderful. But I think I'm going to have to make a return trip. I need to try some burnt ends.



Mary Sargent © 2010 ………………….…………… ………….......……….. click to enlarge

We're looking up at the northeast corner of 30th and Sixth from the southwest corner.  We can see the Empire State Building on 34th Street.  We kids in Arlington, Virginia knew it as the Umpire State Building.

Chelsea, 30th Street Between Seventh and Sixth Avenues

Last post until Monday, or possibly, Tuesday.  I'm going to Kansas City (Kansas City, here I come).  For a family reunion.  I've never been to Kansas City and I'm excited.  I want some barbecue.  I'll let you know if it's as good as they say.  Or maybe you already know?



Mary Sargent © 2010 ………………….…………… ………….......……….. click to enlarge

I leave you with this abstract painting serving as a construction wall.  BTW, if you haven't enlarged a photo recently, please do.  You'll see that it is now the perfect size, that is, it fills the screen but doesn't go beyond.  I don't know how it happened, but I'm really happy.

Happy Fourth!  Be careful with those firecrackers.

Chelsea, 30th Street Between Seventh and Sixth Avenues

Mary Sargent © 2010 ………………….…………… ……….............………….. click to enlarge

So what was I doing on West 30th Street two Saturdays ago?  Taking a Spanish class!  Yes, finally!  About time, you're saying and you're right.

Looking at my map before I left, I saw that there was one little piece of a block I could easily pick up, 30th Street between 6th ave and Broadway.  So after class, I headed for 6th Avenue.  And saw this trio.  Should I have ignored them because I'd already photographed this block?  Of course not!

And that's why this project will never end.

Chelsea, 30th Street Between Seventh and Sixth Avenues

Mary Sargent © 2010 ………………….…………… ………….......……….. click to enlarge

A week ago Saturday, I found myself on this block in front of this building that we first saw two years ago.  With one important difference.  This time I had a wide angle lens.  And now you can see the whole thing.  This is the former 23rd Police Precinct Station House and you can read all about it at the above link.

Chelsea, 30th Street at Tenth Avenue

Mary Sargent © 2009 …………xxxxxx……….…… ………………….. click to enlarge

And now this walk comes to an end (at last!) on an anticlimactic note.  As I mentioned earlier, I had run out of camera space by the time I got to Tenth Avenue (except for one, see above), so I didn't record my unsuccessful search for The Half King.  I had remembered it as being on 25th and Tenth and when it wasn't there, I kept walking north.  I later learned, to my surprise, that it's on 23rd and Tenth, but that's a story for the next walk.

Midtown, 30th Street at Sixth Avenue

Mary Sargent © 2008 …………………………………….. click to enlarge


I have crossed Sixth Avenue now and I'm standing on 30th Street, shooting north. No, more like northish. Northwest. It's important to be oriented.

Construction is everywhere – it's also on the south side of 30th (out of the picture).

See map.

Midtown, 30th Street Between Seventh and Sixth Avenues

Mary Sargent © 2008 …………………………………….. click to enlarge

So nice we can wear dresses again.

See map.

Midtown, 30th Street Between Seventh and Sixth Avenues

Mary Sargent © 2008 ……………………………………. click to enlarge

I have a feeling a police station is on this block. Or rather, Traffic Control building. (And note unusual angle parking.)



Mary Sargent © 2008 ………. click to enlarge

Yes, here we have it.

This was built as the 23rd Police Precinct Station House in 1907-08. What a fantasy building! It is officially Medieval Revival Style – because the police commissioner wanted a building that looked like a police station.

If this building had been in any one of the lesser cities I lived in before moving here, it would have been highly visible and well known; after all, how many cities have a medieval castle in their midst? But here, it's on a lightly traveled side street and it's just one of the many amazing sights in Manhattan. Ho hum.

It is in what used to be called the Tenderloin, the most crime ridden area in New York City (and thus, the country) in the 19th century. If you're interested in New York City history, I recommend the report of the Landmarks Preservation Commission. The architect, R. Thomas Short, was of the firm Harde & Short, which designed the Red Hovse on West 85th. We were there in January last year.




Mary Sargent © 2008 ………. click to enlarge

This is an automobile entrance. That's what it says.

See map.