Chelsea, 16th Street Between Seventh and Eighth Avenues

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

This is the only post for this block - these sweet little 4-story tenements, and




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

this building, with The Grey Dog at the bottom.  This is the third Grey Dog in the city and this Village Voice interview tries to explain why it has not become a chain.

Flatiron District, 16th Street Between Fifth and Sixth Avenues

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

These curvy buildings caught my eye and I came home to discover that they became landmarks in 1990.  In the 1840s the streets just north of 14th Street and west of Fifth Avenue were developed with row houses, but by the end of the 19th century most of them were gone as the area had become more commercial.  However, to quote from New York City Landmarks:

. . . West 16th Street retains a significant number of Greek Revival houses.  The most impressive are the four survivors of a row of nine wide houses - Nos. 5, 7, 9, and 17 - each of which has a full-height curving bay on its front facade, an extremely rare feature in New York.

These three houses are 5, 7, and 9, from right to left.




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

Here is a view of No. 9 from a different angle, showing the curving bay to a better advantage.

It's hard to see why these are Greek Revival since they are asymetrical, lack pedimented gables or friezes, and have no columns.  And who ever saw curving bays on Greek architecture?  Someone please explain.

See map.

Washington Heights, 168th Street Between Broadway and Fort Washington Avenue

Mary Sargent © 2007 …………………………………….. click to enlarge

To remind you, this walk was taken last Saturday, weather cold and windy, on my way to pick up cat food at 187th and Fort Washington. My plan is to walk to the subway stop at 175 and ride up to 190. I told you it was cold.

This whole block is part of the Columbia Presbyterian Medical Center, but this section could be something else entirely. Every time I see a ladder like that, seemingly leading nowhere, I think of Robert Wilson. Tried to find a good link for that ladder, but I'm not willing to spend more than 45 minutes on something like that. You'll have to take my word for it. Or find a ladder and let me know.

Other photographs: 1) this one taken in the same area was a close contender for posting. I'm still not sure I made the right choice. 2) I wanted to post this one but just didn't have the confidence in it. Still, every time I look at it, I smile.

See map