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October 19, 2005
Skyline
For the past few days, I have been immersed in readings about skyscrapers and skylines-- a topic that I was neither excited nor averse to exploring, though it has never been a main interest of mine. For all of the historic buildings in NYC that I have researched, none of them have been the hulking buildings that tower over Lower Manhattan and Midtown, most likely because there is a lot of material out there about them and, by nature, I like to dig and find the obscure.
Regardless, my class topic took me to Pine Street this Sunday, leaving me to contemplate the variations and similarities between three skyscrapers representing three different eras of construction. I had never really taken the time to look at the contrasts before, and post paper writing, I found the topic to be quite cool. Moreover, I realized that, despite all of my researching places and peering through fences, I do not look up enough.
Do you have a favorite skyscraper? If so, what makes it stand out?
Posted by callalillie at October 19, 2005 5:56 AM | City Life , Inquiry
From childhood the Chrysler Building has been my fave. The elegance and design is still a wonder to me. Then again, I do love New York.
Posted by: Vickie at October 19, 2005 7:41 AM
this is a really lovely photo
Posted by: yp at October 19, 2005 9:57 AM
my current favorite is in the corner up there, the municipal building. is it tall enough to be considered a skyscraper? anyway, if you watch the Triplets of Belleville, when they come into the city there's an exagerrated version of it, which i find somehow gratifying. also the archways underneath are cool too.
http://www.nyc-architecture.com/SCC/SCC030.htm
Posted by: ChrisG at October 19, 2005 10:14 AM
1. Gorgeous photo.
2. I like the Empire State Building, though I know it's not a very choice. Between where I work and where I live, it's nearly always within my eye-view. Still, I think the most stunning one, by far, is the Chrysler Building; I only wish it was easier for me to see.
3. Can I ask what you are going to school for?
Posted by: deb at October 19, 2005 10:35 AM
I am going to school for....free! What I mean is, I get to take free classes because I work at a university. I don't have a real focus yet. If and when I get off of my ass and take the GREs, I am hoping to study Anthropology, though lately I have been leaning toward urban studies/planning and architectural preservation. If I could squash it all together, I would.
Posted by: corie at October 19, 2005 10:44 AM
"...like the top of the Chrysler Building!" said Miss Hannigan.
On a really bright day with the sun reflecting off, it's like a piece of jewlery.
Posted by: Cynthia at October 19, 2005 11:10 AM
The Woolworth Building (Lower Manhattan), The Williamsburg Savings Bank (Downtown Brooklyn) - and I like the empire state only because it still has the details from it's original design to dock derigables - have you seen the renderings from when the building was being designed demonstrating this?
Also, read right away, "Delerious New York" By Rem Koolhaus.
Posted by: Tiya at October 19, 2005 11:24 AM
I love the Crysler Building because of its Art Deco architecture. I also like the Flatiron Building on 23rd Street. I have black and white photos of the two hanging in my living room.
Posted by: Heather at October 19, 2005 11:45 AM
Everyone should check out VIVA (visual index to the virtual archive)via the Skyscraper Museum website. So cool.
Posted by: corie at October 19, 2005 12:10 PM
you know, they are doubling the length of the GRE, right? i think i read october, but i'm not sure if that means like...now or next year.
Posted by: tien at October 19, 2005 3:05 PM
weee....I read this post this morning and had a whole geeky conversation in my head - trying to figure out how I would narrow it down to just one favorite as well as what qualified as a skyscraper. Here are my picks: Grace Building - the curve makes it way more interesting than other buildings built at the same time; the "Radiator Building," I don't know the real name but it's the black and gold tipped building on the south side of Bryant Park. I also like the Manhattan Municipal Building - but only from a far.
Posted by: jenn aka j-yo at October 19, 2005 8:23 PM
Posted by: discostu at October 20, 2005 8:09 AM
the tribune tower looks like a cross between Notre Dame and the building from "Ghostbusters"
Posted by: ChrisG at October 20, 2005 9:59 AM
Posted by: Sonia at October 20, 2005 2:24 PM
I've always wanted to visit Brazilia!
Posted by: corie at October 20, 2005 2:34 PM
I will admit to liking the Chrysler Building.
I like that building that has one side on an angle, do you know the one I mean? (Remembering the names of buildings is not one of my skills).
Posted by: ms. frizzle at October 20, 2005 10:20 PM
Posted by: Mick Wagner at October 24, 2005 4:15 PM
