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Saturday, September 20, 2008

Dusk Among Towers

Lower Park Avenue
Photo by myself, on Park Avenue around 53rd Street.

I'm sure many people think of scenes like this when they think of New York City - many, many tall buildings.

Most of the offices in this area I believe are financial. Maybe there's an advertising agency behind some of those panes of glass, too?

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The economic climate is making my industry shudder.

Architecture and construction typically lags behind everything else. When the market goes down, future projects are put on hold. Current projects, however, usually have enough funds to keep going to the finish. A half-finished building is no use to anyone.

I've been hearing of layoffs at other architectural firms, and large projects that have fallen through. Lots of people in finance find they can no longer afford to build their dream homes, and abandon the project until better times.

Where does that leave us architects? Shaking in our shoes, I guess, and putting in overtime on projects we have.

I find something reassuring in the above photo - all those tall buildings aren't going anywhere. They may change hands, they may sit half-empty. But these guys are here to stay.

Related posts: How The Other Half Lives and Among Beautiful Things.

13 comments:

Anonymous said...

Yes, this is what many people envision when they think of NYC. ;-) Wonderful shot.

Paz

Anonymous said...

WOW...no wonder everyone is worried about the financial sector.
Great shot. Very nice balance and composition.

Nice to be back visiting. It's going to take me a while to catch up on all your posts.
~JD

Anonymous said...

I agree, it's exactly what I think all of NYC looks like. Fantastic shot! The composition is outstanding.

Virginia said...

Wooooeeee, now that's a spectacular skyline. Great color and angle.

Morty said...

Kaye Scholer; one of the country's largest law firms resides in the building to the immediate right. My wife was a paralegal there in the early 90's before switching professions to become a teacher. Nice part of town, but tough to cross the street in some area's due to the lack of walk/don't walk signs. I would imagine that some of the upper elite residents in that area had some say in that. :)

Wayne said...

This shot epitomizes why you're an architect and I'm not Kitty. I would have looked at a similar if not the identical scene last week and not seen anything to photograph. Yet this shot is terrific.

I have a hunch you're adaptable and that you'll do ok no matter how this shakes out.

Anonymous said...

I was in that area not too and took a similar picture on my blackberry. I believe its near that blue face statue. Amazing view.

bitingmidge said...

Nice shot, if the shuddering gets any worse you'll need a tripod! (From one shuddering in the same industry!)

Sunshine Coast Daily - Australia

Unknown said...

Very good shot! Love the color and the light!

dianasfaria.com said...

It really is a nice grouping of buildings caught at the perfect magic hour moment. what a beautiful photo Kitty, as always.

Christopher said...

Don't you think it is a waste to have all those lights on?

Kris McCracken said...

This is a great shot. It must be tricky to get the levels of light right with all of those buildings around. I imagine that there’ll be shockwaves through lots of industries, but you’re right, architects may be one of the first to feel the belt tightening. You’ll all be off the Dubai at this rate! They seem to keep building no matter what.

Teri Tynes said...

Are you standing in front of the Seagram Building? I recognize the marble. You must be. This area represents the best of mid-century modern architecture in NYC, I think.