New York Daily Photo Analytics

Saturday, July 08, 2006

Urban Renewal

Across from the Metropolitan Museum of Art, facing Central Park, are blocks of townhouses which are something like a slice of an old European city set down in NYC. They are generally late nineteenth century and quite elaborate - some of them have been turned into embassies etc., but there are still many that are occupied by single families. Something that is commonly done by this crowd is to completely gut renovate the building at every turnover. Typically, the entire interior is ripped out and rebuilt with the most state-of-the-art modern comforts and completely refurnished with the most extravagantly expensive antiques and/or fine interior decoration. Because of divorce, death, remarriage, the rise and fall of fortunes, these places do turn over usually about once every three years. It seems a shame that all the work that has been put into these fine homes is not preserved, but the city thrives on providing luxury services to this ever growing elite, and the wealth keeps expanding and changing hands frequently as it has always done in NYC. Here is an example of one of these streets and the corner house which had workmen inside going about their business of interior demolition...

10 comments:

John Nez said...

"Typically, the entire interior is ripped out and rebuilt with the most state-of-the-art modern comforts and completely refurnished with the most extravagantly expensive antiques and/or fine interior decoration. "

So THAT'S how the GaZillionaires on the Upper East Side get rid of roaches! LOL! I was always curious about that.

Still the streets of New York are refreshingly egalitarian. Out on the street everyone walks on the same sidewalks.

Brian Dubé said...

Very true...

Atlanta Percent for Art Campaign said...

I was wondering if you have ever taken any shots of Reverend Billy in action? Might be interesting for your blog.
www.revbilly.com

Eric said...

I am so amazed by the similarity of some of our buildings here in Paris. You are right...a slice of an old European city set!

LOL when John Nez said...
"So THAT'S how the GaZillionaires on the Upper East Side get rid of roaches!"

Mark said...

The last two post have shown us how varied NY is.
Wonderful:)

Brian Dubé said...

There are some very nice townhouses reminiscent of Paris on the Upper East Side. But it is more limited and we do not have large areas with conforming heights. I remember so many magnificent views of Paris with large areas of elegant buildings with Mansard roofs.
Brian

indieperfumes said...

We love Rev. Billy! We have some photos from last year, nothing recent -- we hope to run into him soon and do some for this site -- if we don't catch him we will have to use those others - they were great -- we ran into singing people on the train and followed them awhile and then realized they were Rev. Billy's congregation -- church of stop shopping -- went to Times Square, we often mention it...so many people around were very shocked by his message, which is shocking in itself!

Anonymous said...

It's amazing how quickly money can change hands...

Anonymous said...

I'm impressed with your site, very nice graphics!
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